Jon Bernthal was approached to reprise his iconic role as The Punisher in the original version of Daredevil: Born Again, but he ultimately decided to decline the opportunity.
Jon Bernthal has recently made a highly anticipated return as The Punisher within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically in the exciting series Daredevil: Born Again. However, during a candid discussion with Entertainment Weekly, he revealed that he initially turned down the chance to reprise this pivotal role due to creative differences regarding the character’s direction.
Before Daredevil: Born Again underwent significant creative revisions, Bernthal was approached to gauge his interest in reprising the role. He expressed concerns over the original vision for Frank Castle, stating, “Ultimately, I didn’t see it. I didn’t see the version of Frank, and what they wanted from Frank [didn’t] really make sense to me and I thought would not appeal to the fans and wouldn’t be congruent,” he explained. He emphasized that this initial direction did not resonate with him, leading to his decision to step away from the project.
After a change in the creative team, with new writers brought on board and Dario Scardapane taking the reins as showrunner, Bernthal was invited back into the conversation. “They really brought me into the conversation,” he noted. He appreciated the collaborative effort to delve deep into Frank Castle’s psychological state and physical condition. Bernthal elaborated, “Sometimes you have to be very, very clear with your intentions in this business,” highlighting the importance of ensuring the character is portrayed authentically and resonates with the audience.
The story of Daredevil: Born Again is not the end of The Punisher’s journey in the Marvel universe. Bernthal is set to reprise his role in an upcoming Punisher special on Disney+, a project he is deeply invested in. He collaborated with director Reinaldo Marcus Green to co-write the script, emphasizing his desire to contribute creatively. “I went through the process. I went in, I pitched, I gave an outline before I even put pen to page, and I felt like I did not want them to just hand it to me,” he shared. Bernthal’s commitment to authenticity and quality shines through as he aims to portray a visceral, complex version of Frank Castle where every action carries significant consequences.
The initial four episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are currently available for streaming on Disney+. Fans can also check out a review from our own Alex Maidy to dive deeper into the series and its portrayal of beloved characters.
