Jon Bernthal reprising his role as Frank Castle in Marvel’s upcoming The Punisher Special Presentation has been confirmed through newly released set footage showing a violent action scene. The video, shot during filming in 2025, provides fans with a preview of Castle’s ruthless tactics as he continues his vendetta after the events of Daredevil: Born Again.
Intense Combat and Baseball Bat Action Highlight Set Videos
Recently leaked footage shared on X by user @_DaredevilShots captures Jon Bernthal fully immersed in hand-to-hand combat, notably wielding a baseball bat amid a chaotic scene involving school buses. Wearing an olive green sweatshirt, Bernthal’s portrayal of the vigilante showcases raw, close-quarters fighting that emphasizes the character’s brutal style.
Another scene reveals Frank Castle firing from a moving vehicle before aggressively entering Ma Gnucci’s restaurant, a pivotal location tied to the storyline adapted from Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Welcome Back, Frank. This arc centers on Castle’s pursuit of the Gnucci crime family, reinforcing the intense, no-holds-barred nature of the narrative.
Images from the set confirm Ma Gnucci’s presence, though the actress playing her has not been disclosed. Unlike her comic book depiction where she loses all her limbs, this adaptation presents Ma in a wheelchair with her limbs intact, signaling some creative changes in character design.
Continuing Frank Castle’s Violent Crusade Against Crime
The Punisher’s return follows Frank Castle’s escape from captivity under Mayor Wilson Fisk, a storyline concluded in Daredevil: Born Again, set to return in March 2026. While it remains uncertain if Castle will reappear in that series, Bernthal has collaborated with director Reinaldo Marcus Green to co-write this Special Presentation, which further explores Castle’s ongoing battle against the Anti-Vigilante Task Force.
Bernthal emphasized the uncompromising tone of the project, stating,
“It’s going to be dark; Frank has no interest in breaking out the darkness… It will not be Punisher-lite, I promise you that.”
—Jon Bernthal, Actor
Release Plans and Future Appearances
The Punisher Special Presentation is scheduled to launch on Disney+ in 2026, continuing the character’s story in a dark and gritty fashion. Additionally, Jon Bernthal is set to reprise his role as Frank Castle in the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, slated for release in theaters on July 31, 2026.
