Tom Holland Wants Spider-Man to Join a PUNISHER Project: “Let’s See What an R-Rated Version of Spider-Man Looks Like”
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally bringing Spider-Man and The Punisher together in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but if Tom Holland has his way, that won’t be the last time Peter Parker and Frank Castle cross paths.
Following Jon Bernthal’s appearance as The Punisher in Brand New Day, Holland says he’d be more than happy to return the favor and step into one of Marvel’s darker Punisher stories. Considering how violent Frank Castle’s world can get, it would put Spider-Man in a situation fans have never seen before.
Speaking with Empire, Holland shared his enthusiasm for teaming up with Bernthal again, saying:
"I would love to pop up in one of [Punisher’s] shows. Let’s see what an R-rated version of Spider-Man looks like. I’m so grateful for Jon for taking the leap and being a part of the film, and I would love to repay the favour."
That’s a fun idea! Spider-Man has traditionally lived in the more family-friendly corner of Marvel storytelling, while The Punisher’s projects lean heavily into mature content. Frank Castle’s most recent outing,
The Punisher: One Last Kill, carried a TV-MA rating thanks to its graphic violence, gore, and strong language. Dropping Holland’s Spider-Man into that environment would create a completely different dynamic than anything audiences have seen from the character on screen.
Ironically, Brand New Day marks the first time Spider-Man and The Punisher have officially met in the MCU, despite both heroes operating in New York City.
The first trailer for Brand New Day offered a glimpse of their relationship, and it appeared Peter wasn’t exactly thrilled with Castle’s hard-edged approach to crime-fighting. That clash in philosophies could end up being one of the movie’s most entertaining elements.
Of course, Holland and Bernthal’s friendship goes back much further than Marvel. Before either actor landed their signature superhero roles, they starred together in the 2017 historical drama Pilgrimage.
During that time, Bernthal admits he wasn’t particularly familiar with comic book characters, and Holland actually helped sell him on The Punisher.
Bernthal recalled: "Tom was really the one who said, 'Man, this character’s so great,' and he explained it to me."
Years later, both actors are now connected to Marvel and happen to be sharing another major project as well. Alongside Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Holland and Bernthal have key roles in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey.
Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, while Bernthal takes on the role of Menelaus, the King of Sparta whose actions helped spark the Trojan War.
Bernthal reflected on working with Holland again, saying: "We’ve remained friends over the years, but what a beautiful opportunity to do two movies back to back with him with The Odyssey and Spider-Man."
Whether Marvel ever lets Spider-Man swing into a Punisher series remains to be seen, but it’s hard not to be curious about what Holland’s version of Peter Parker would look like when thrown into Frank Castle’s brutal world. The contrast between the two characters is exactly what makes the possibility so appealing.
Fans will get their first proper Spider-Man and Punisher team-up when Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters on July 31, 2026.