I Wish The Punisher Hadn’t Killed Off His Best Villain Before MCU Return

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As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to see Frank Castle back on our screens in the latest series, “Daredevil: Born Again.” However, I can’t help but long for the fact that The Punisher eliminated his best villain before his 2025 return and official confirmation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Being part of the Defenders universe timeline, which includes shows like “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders,” The Punisher was in a sort of limbo for quite some time. It wasn’t clear for several years whether these series were considered part of the MCU. Thankfully, that uncertainty didn’t persist forever.

Following appearances by Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Netflix series “Daredevil” effectively received its MCU sequel with “Daredevil: Born Again”. This not only confirmed that the earlier “Daredevil” events took place within the MCU, but also reintroduced a broader array of characters, demonstrating they too belonged to the MCU. I’m thrilled Jon Bernthal’s Punisher was among these returning figures, yet I can’t help but hope another Punisher character could have been included at this time.

The Punisher Has A Range Of Fascinating & Truly Villainous Antagonists

In the world of The Punisher’s comics, you’ll find a diverse array of complex and captivating villains. Similarly, when The Punisher was translated onto the small screen, it didn’t shy away from this tradition. Over the course of two seasons and a span of two years, the series introduced a variety of adversaries for Frank Castle, such as Billy Russo, William Rawlins, Lewis Wilson, Anderson and Eliza Shultz, and John Pilgrim, to mention but a few antagonists that appeared in the show’s narrative.

In their interpretations, The Punisher deviates significantly from the original comics but still maintains the essence and dark tone. Primarily, they provide motives for Frank Castle to engage in intense battles with a variety of imaginative violence, often positioning him against characters symbolizing the very corruption he fights against or serving as their instruments.

The Punisher’s Arguably Biggest & Best Villain Died Before Daredevil: Born Again Confirmed Frank Castle’s MCU Status

The news that The Punisher is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the cast of “Daredevil: Born Again” was incredibly thrilling, given that Jon Bernthal’s anti-hero had been absent from our screens for some time. However, this also implies a significant portion of this character’s life occurred before his MCU confirmation, which may not be a problem but it does mean that those just starting to understand Castle through “Daredevil: Born Again” and beyond might miss out on encountering one of the character’s most significant and formidable adversaries.

In the series, The Punisher refers specifically to Billy Russo, who is also infamously known as Jigsaw. Unlike some comic book representations of Jigsaw, this version softens his physical scars and revises his backstory to depict him as an orphaned soldier who served alongside Castle himself. This change adds depth and suspense to the character, and sets it apart from the 2008 film portrayal of the villain in “Punisher: War Zone.

Billy Russo, primarily known as The Punisher’s most formidable adversary, serves as a sort of dark reflection of Frank Castle. Their shared background in the military and their involvement in Operation Cerberus, coupled with their history as close friends who grew even closer amidst the hardships they faced during this period, establishes a strong bond that intensifies their confrontations. However, it’s important to note that Jigsaw stands out as the series’ best villain due to his longevity. He is the antagonist who essentially marks the beginning and end of the show’s narrative span.

In the first season of “The Punisher”, Billy Russo debuts in episode 2 and is seen for the last time in the ending of season 2. Throughout the series, he plays a significant role in almost every episode, serving as the primary antagonist for both seasons’ finales. Given his significant presence, it seems likely that Russo’s story comes to an end, with Frank Castle ultimately killing his former partner in the final episode, making it difficult for him to make further appearances in the series.

I’m Sad Many Fans Won’t Ever See The Punisher’s Jigsaw, But Glad There’s Even More Reason For People To Rewatch The Original Show

I’ve been pondering over the return of Frank Castle to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s a bit disappointing that he’ll be without his classic adversary, Jigsaw, as Billy Russo was written off in season 2 of The Punisher. If the franchise were to opt for a significant and somewhat contradictory rewrite (retcon) to alter this, it could potentially offer a fresh twist. However, for those just joining the MCU journey now, either unaware if the original The Punisher was part of it or simply having missed out, they might miss out on what could be the most exceptional portrayal of The Punisher’s nemesis on-screen.

Although the Punisher has recently come back on television, it could serve as an opportunity for viewers to familiarize themselves with the previous Marvel series, provided that his character development in the new show is engaging enough. Given the captivating portrayal of Frank Castle in Daredevil: Born Again season 1, where he stands out due to his unique twist among Marvel’s typical heroes, it’s likely that the upcoming Punisher spinoff will further emphasize this intrigue.

It’s a bit disappointing to think that some hardcore Marvel Cinematic Universe fans who haven’t watched “The Punisher” might miss out on Frank Castle’s most impactful and emotional storyline. But, if this sparks interest in new viewers to check out the series, it could breathe new life into “The Punisher,” as more people become intrigued by understanding the character’s past before his 2025 reappearance.

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2025-06-04 00:57