Jon Bernthal Says He’ll Keep Playing Punisher in the MCU on One Major Condition
Fans are finally going to see Frank Castle share the screen with Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but it sounds like Jon Bernthal already has his eyes on what comes next for the Punisher in the MCU.
The good news for Marvel fans is that Bernthal wants to keep going. The catch is that he wants a serious hand in shaping the character moving forward.
While talking with Esquire about The Punisher: One Last Kill, Bernthal made it clear he’s all-in on continuing Frank Castle’s story, but only if he’s creatively involved in building it: “I’m really down to keep doing more. But I think I have to be the one that’s making it.”
That approach makes sense considering Bernthal wasn’t just starring in the Disney+ special. He also co-wrote the project alongside director Reinaldo Marcus Green and served as an executive producer.
It’s obvious that the actor wants more ownership over how Frank Castle evolves in the MCU instead of simply showing up for another appearance.
Bernthal also teased that One Last Kill opens the door to a different side of the Punisher, one that leans harder into Frank’s personal motivations and the emotional weight behind his violence.
During a previous interview, the actor explained: “I do think that there are ways now, after this special, that we can find him in a place where I’m not going to tip off what’s coming, but what I will say is, I think you’re going to get a version of him going after the bad guys, going after the people that are causing harm and havoc to good people.
“I think he’s going to be able to start personalizing that. And with Frank, when he personalizes something, it’s something to deal with.”
That definitely sounds like Bernthal wants to push the character into darker and more emotionally intense territory, which honestly feels exactly right for Frank Castle.
There’s also growing speculation that Marvel may already be planning more Punisher stories beyond One Last Kill. Industry insider Daniel Richtman recently reported that a follow-up project is in development, though Marvel Studios hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet.
At the moment, fans can catch The Punisher: One Last Kill streaming on Disney+, while Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026.
The film will mark Frank Castle’s first appearance on the big screen in the MCU, and based on the early trailer footage, Peter Parker and Castle aren’t exactly going to be best friends. Their personalities clash hard and that will make for a fun dynamic.