This March, Marvel fans will get their first look at the new Punisher whenDaredevilreturns for all-new episodes.Jon Bernthalis playing thevigilanteFrank Castle, who will be going up against blind lawyerMatt Murdockas they take their own approach to cleaning up the mean streets ofHell’s Kitchen. Now, it sounds like we might be seeing a lot more of Ol’Frank Castle. This morning,TVLinedropped the exclusive news that Netflix is developing a solo series forThe Punisher.
Netflixis said to be very close to officially announcing The Punisher series. It will be a direct Daredevil spinoff that continues Frank’s adventures from that show. While most viewers won’t get to seeJon Bernthaldoing his thing as the gun-toting bad guy killer until March 18, advanced critical praise for the actor has been through the roof, and it is all said to be ‘overwhelmingly positive’. Executive producer Doug Petrie had this to say in a recent interview withEW.
“Viewers watching the show will be rooting for this guy with a gun but we’re also going to force people to second-guess themselves. Taking lethal justice into your own hands in America in 2015 is tricky s-t.”
IfThe Punishermoves forward, it will be Netflix’s 6th series, following Marvel’s Daredevil, which is getting ready to debut its second season.Marvel’s Jessica Jonesdebuted to much acclaim this past November. BothMarvel’s Luke CageandMarvel’s Iron Fistare coming later this year. And they will all cumulate in the epic miniseries eventThe Defenders. Though it isn’t said ifThe Punisherwill be a part of that.
As of now, Marvel and Netflix are declining to comment. But it looks good that we’ll seeThe Punishergoing into production sometime in the next two years. If Netflix is eager to cash in on the heat fromJon Bernthal’s performance inMarvel’s Daredevil Season 2, we could see it before then. Will it trumpMarvel’s Iron Fistand arrive first? That’s always a possibility, since Marvel and Netflix have had some issues deciding just what Iron Fist is supposed to be. Stay tuned, we probably won’t hear the show officially announced until afterMarvel’s Daredevil Season 2debuts.
