MCU Punisher Set Photos Tease A New Villain (& Set Up One Of Frank’s Most Brutal Kills)

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This week, filming commenced for a unique presentation of ‘The Punisher’ in New York City, and it appears that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will introduce a significant antagonist based on set photos circulating online. These images reveal subtle changes to New York City streets and businesses, and an exterior shot unveils “Gnucci’s Family Restaurant,” possibly hinting at the notorious Gnucci crime family from Marvel Comics. If the narrative follows Frank Castle’s (Jon Bernthal) past encounters with this criminal organization, this could be his deadliest tale yet. It might even depict the most gruesome death portrayed in the MCU so far.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I, along with Reinaldo Marcus Green, have penned a solo Punisher storyline! Green will be directing this exciting spin-off, and we kick off the filming this week. The special is slated for release in 2026. This side adventure should provide some intriguing insights into Frank Castle’s journey, bridging the gap between Daredevil: Born Again and Spider-Man: Brand New Day where he’s due to make an appearance. Given that Born Again Season 2 is set for a March premiere, there’s a possibility we might catch the Punisher special even sooner!

[No Spoilers] Set photos from the Punisher Special Presentation which starts filming today at NYC – by @_DaredevilShot on X
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In 2000, the character Isabella “Ma” Gnucci debuted in a storyline, penned by Garth Ennis with illustrations by Steve Dillon. This narrative introduced Frank Castle embarking on a new anti-crime mission, which led him to eliminate all three sons of the powerful Gnucci crime family, who were New York’s top mafia organization at that time. In response, Ma Gnucci vows revenge against The Punisher and sets out on a relentless pursuit. This chase culminates in Central Park Zoo, where The Punisher unleashes the captive animals to thwart her. Ultimately, she suffers gruesome injuries at the hands of a pack of polar bears.

Despite the ongoing chaos, Ma persists in attempting to eliminate The Punisher. Eventually, he heads to her mansion for a confrontation. He ignites the house, and when she leaps from a window, he hurls her back into the flames to meet her demise. In subsequent comics, Ma resurfaces, but it’s likely that her debut in the MCU will be based on her initial comic book tale.

It doesn’t necessarily imply a carbon copy scenario. In the first season of “Born Again,” Frank found himself in a precarious position, held captive by corrupt cops under the rule of Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) in a New York City he governs. The upcoming “Punisher” special may need to delve deeper into how Frank escapes this predicament, and even so, shifting directly to a mafia narrative could prove challenging.

Instead of “On the other hand,” Frank could potentially show up in “Born Again” Season 2, where he might resolve these ongoing issues. If that’s the case, his streaming special would likely serve as a transition between “Born Again” Season 2 and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” At this stage, we can only guess about the direction, but it seems like it will be a challenging journey. Currently, filming is underway for the “Punisher” special presentation, which is expected to air on Disney+ in 2026.

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2025-07-17 18:41