A Marvel Star Admits To Being Miscast As A Fan-Favorite Daredevil Charatcer

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If you ask most fans about The Punisher, the first face that comes to mind is definitely Jon Bernthal, and honestly, it totally makes sense! He absolutely nailed the role from the moment he first appeared as Frank Castle in Season 2 of Netflix’s Daredevil. Then, he really got to shine when he led his own Punisher series for two seasons – he completely owned that show!

It’s true that Jon Bernthal wasn’t the first actor to play The Punisher, something older fans remember and younger viewers might not know. Thomas Jane previously played the character in a 2004 movie, which led to a video game in 2005, and he recently shared some surprising thoughts about his time in the role.

As a matter of fact, it’ll surprise everyone.

The Wrong Punisher for the Job

Jane has admitted she wishes she hadn’t taken on the role of Castle back in the early 2000s, before superhero films became as popular and successful as they are today. However, in a recent interview with ComicBookMovie.com while promoting her new Apple TV+ film, Frontier Crucible, she clarified that wasn’t the main reason for her regrets.

Looking back, I realize I wasn’t the right fit for the role of Frank Castle. He’s Italian, with dark hair and a family history very different from my own. The character was created in the 1970s as a direct reaction against the popular image of the Italian mob, which was heavily influenced by films like The Godfather. Frank, whose real name is Francis Castiglione, was meant to be the opposite of that. I didn’t naturally fit that description, so I had to change my appearance – I even dyed my hair black – to try and become him.

Fortunately, Jane admits the problem isn’t with the comic book genre itself. He actually enjoys comic books and related media just as much as anyone else, and the 2004 film The Punisher has opened doors that wouldn’t have otherwise.

I was really excited about getting started. I made a short film called Dirty Laundry – I produced it myself, which was a lot of fun. I’m very thankful for the experience, and I’ve always been a huge comic book enthusiast.

Bernthal, King of the Castle

Jane is truly thankful for the role. He still occasionally voices The Punisher, most recently appearing in a 2019 episode of Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken. He’s also pleased to see how popular his portrayal of Frank Castle has become—many fans now consider his version to be the definitive one, praising his raw, realistic, and powerful depiction of the character’s trauma.

I’m glad they found someone better suited for the part. I enjoyed my time with it and gave it my all, and I’m thankful for the opportunity, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Jon Bernthal’s return as Punisher alongside Charlie Cox’s Daredevil was a brilliant move – their chemistry was incredible, and Bernthal consistently pushed Daredevil to explore his darker impulses. It’s disappointing for Marvel fans that Bernthal won’t be back for the second season of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ on Disney+. Many, including myself, were really hoping to see him return, and it feels like a letdown that it isn’t happening.

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2025-11-27 19:40