For years, audiences have enjoyed seeing their favorite Marvel comic book characters come to life in movies, and sometimes even in multiple versions. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made these characters incredibly popular, many were already well-known through earlier films and TV shows. Now, 21 years after first playing a Marvel character, a popular actor admits he wasn‘t the right fit for the role, even though he still cares about the character.
Before Jon Bernthal became known as The Punisher in the Marvel Netflix series, several actors had played the character, including Thomas Jane. Jane first portrayed Frank Castle in a short film called Dirty Laundry back in 2004. Recently, while promoting his new Apple TV show Frontier Crucible to ComicBookMovie, Jane admitted he believes he wasn’t the right fit for the role.
When first asked if she’d consider reprising the role, Jane explained she was very enthusiastic about it. She had previously created and starred in a short film called ‘Dirty Laundry’ and really enjoyed the experience. She’s thankful for the opportunity and has always been a fan of comic books.
Jane admitted she wasn’t the right fit for the role of Frank Castle. She explained that the character is Italian, with dark hair and a specific family history. Born in the 1970s, Frank was created as a direct contrast to the powerful Italian mob that was prominent at the time, mirroring the cultural impact of films like The Godfather. Jane felt she didn’t naturally fit that description and had to alter her appearance – specifically dyeing her hair black – to portray the character.
Jane expressed relief that the role of The Punisher is now being played by someone better suited for it. While she enjoyed her time with the part and gave it her all, she feels it wasn’t the right fit for her and is grateful for the opportunity.
Dolph Lundgren first played the Punisher in 1989. After a portrayal by Jane in 2004, Ray Wilkinson took on the role in the 2008 film, Punisher: War Zone. The character became more popular when Jon Bernthal played him in season 2 of Daredevil, and he later starred in his own show. Bernthal has since returned to the role of the Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there’s speculation he’ll also appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Jane may not have continued with The Punisher, but she remains passionate about comics. She’s even created her own comic series called The Lycan. She explained that her graphic novel, a werewolf story set in the late 1700s about a group of big game hunters shipwrecked on a wolf-infested island, is almost finished. The script was written by Mike Carey. Jane is very proud of The Lycan, and they are currently finalizing issue six, which will be released in December. The complete graphic novel will then be available next year on Kindle.
Frontier Crucible hits theaters and digital platforms on December 5th, 2025.
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2025-11-27 08:10