In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the story of Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland, continues in the movie “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which leads up to “Avengers: Doomsday.” This upcoming film will introduce an extraordinary new element. After Jon Watts directed the Spider-Man trilogy in the MCU, Destin Daniel Cretton steps into the director’s role for “Brand New Day.” The movie unfolds after the events of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” where everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. Although plot details about “Brand New Day” are currently secret, it has been announced that Zendaya will reprise her role as MJ, and Jacob Batalon will return as Ned. Additionally, Sadie Sink and Liza Colón-Zayas have joined the cast in unspecified roles. More recently, it was confirmed that Jon Bernthal’s character, Frank Castle/Punisher, will be part of “Brand New Day.
It’s worth noting that since the movie “Punisher: War Zone” in 2008, featuring Ray Stevenson as the main character, we haven’t seen Punisher in a full-length film. Instead, Marvel has predominantly featured him on television, particularly in Netflix’s The Punisher series which ran for two seasons from 2017 to 2019. Frank Castle, a ruthless yet complex anti-hero driven by justice and violence, has become one of Marvel’s most intriguing anti-heroes, both in comics and on screen. In the latest development, Punisher has made his MCU debut in the Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again, alongside Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil. With the MCU preparing for major events like Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, this new venture, Brand New Day, presents an exciting opportunity for Punisher. Given this, it could be a strategic move to include him as a supporting character in upcoming MCU films.
Punisher’s Role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day Has Been a Long Time Coming
As a die-hard film fan, let me tell you that beyond the intense action of “Punisher: War Zone,” there have been two other movies starring The Punisher in our cinematic history. In 1989, the character graced our screens for the first time solo in “The Punisher.” Dolph Lundgren played the titular role, while Mark Goldblatt directed and Boaz Yakin penned the script. This film delves into Frank Castle’s origins, exploring his family’s tragic murder and the transformation that led him to become a relentless vigilante, battling against powerful mafia forces. Unfortunately, “The Punisher” of 1989 was not met with widespread acclaim, as it earned a mere 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
2004’s “The Punisher,” featuring Thomas Jane as Frank, followed next. This reboot introduced the famous skull logo of The Punisher for the first time and is often appreciated by fans. In the version helmed by writer-director Jonathan Hensleigh, Frank was an FBI agent undercover, with a past in the U.S. Marine Corps. He embarked on his quest for revenge after suffering a family tragedy. However, plans for a sequel were halted due to complications with the script.
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In “Punisher: War Zone,” five years after assuming the Punisher identity, Frank finds himself grappling with the repercussions of his vigilante actions when he inadvertently kills an FBI agent. The film, directed by Lexi Alexander, portrays this storyline as Dominic West’s character, Billy Rusoti/Jigsaw, plays the antagonist in a thrilling narrative filled with action. Regrettably, “War Zone” faced another wave of unfavorable criticism upon release, adding to the ongoing challenge for Punisher films to gain widespread acceptance among audiences.
Since 2016, Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of The Punisher has been confined to TV appearances, but they’ve been remarkable. His first appearance as The Punisher in Netflix’s Daredevil Season 2 in 2016 and his solo series have earned a lot of positive feedback. These successful shows helped lay the groundwork for the revival of the Defenders on Disney+, which will extend past Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. The upcoming Spider-Man movie, titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, marks Punisher’s first film role in 17 years, signifying a fresh direction for the gun-wielding vigilante. While we don’t know the exact details of his role yet, the idea of Frank confronting the more peace-loving Spider-Man promises an intriguing dynamic. The Punisher’s inclusion in Brand New Day also suggests that the film will focus on street-level heroes and events, a concept fans have long been asking for amid the MCU’s numerous space and multiverse narratives.
Punisher’s Best Days Could Be in the MCU’s Future
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is now officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is set to spearhead his own exclusive event on Disney+. This project, titled “The Punisher: Born Again,” follows the storyline after the Season 1 finale of Daredevil: Born Again, and is scheduled for release in 2026. However, its connection to Spider-Man: Brand New Day remains unclear.
It’s worth mentioning that the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day will mark Punisher’s most significant appearance in over a decade. In the last instance, viewers witnessed Punisher joining forces with Daredevil once more in New York City to combat Mayor Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) Anti-Vigilante Task Force and ultimately escaping Fisk’s prison.
Thanks to the intriguing scenario set up by Daredevil: Born Again, the character’s return to the silver screen is anticipated to offer more violence and moral complexity, despite needing to adhere to Brand New Day’s likely PG-13 rating.
Marvel seems to have hit its mark with The Punisher since Jon Bernthal assumed the role nine years ago, a feat that’s quite remarkable considering the series of unsuccessful Punisher movies in the past. Bernthal has shown exceptional skill as Frank Castle, portraying a level of ferocity, anguish, and passion that none of his predecessors could manage. Thankfully, the MCU is now giving him center stage following his break from the Netflix series, and the upcoming film Brand New Day might just deliver the Punisher movie that fans have long anticipated.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to open in theaters on July 31, 2026.
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2025-06-25 01:40