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The Punisher: Marvel Has The Rights To The Punisher! Only A Matter Of Time Until Jon Bernthal’s Return

People love the Netflix Marvel shows. Originally it was believed that they were a part of the MCU, Marvel Cinematic Universe, but apparently, they never were. Things got a little messy as the years went on. One after the other all the Netflix shows began getting canceled and it wasn’t quite clear why. Certain shows like Iron Fist were under-performing.

Others like Daredevil, however, were absolute fan favorites and fans loved Charlie Cox. Eventually, all of the Netflix Marvel shows were canceled, leaving fans angry and disappointed. All we could do was wait for the rights to revert to Marvel and hope that they saved the shows. Now, Marvel has gotten the rights back to Jessica Jones and Punisher and Jon Bernthal is ready to return!

Marvel fans have longed for a version of The Punisher that reflects the comic book character and brings an appropriate representation to the screen, either television or film. Many fans feel that Jon Bernthal‘s portrayal of Frank Castle on Netflix’s incarnation of the character was the most accurate to date. Well fans, be excited because it appears that Bernthal will be coming back to the role and not too far in the distant future!

Star of The Walking Dead, Baby Driver, and countless other films and shows, Bernthal suffered the cancellation ax, as did all of Marvel’s Netflix properties. However, Bernthal has made his feelings clear that he’d love to return to the role either on the big screen or with a new streaming service. Disney+ feels a bit too inappropriate for The Punisher, given the dark content of the show and comic. However, would a standalone feature film or another service be more appropriate?

According to Bounding Into Comics, Marvel Studios is ready for Bernthal to return for a new show that wouldn’t be connected to his previous run canonically. On top of that, Bernthal told Geek Show House, “There’s always hope!”:

“It’s unbelievably humbling how much people sort of responded to this version of Frank, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me because he means so much to me. He’s in my blood, he’s in my bones… So it’s not about whether we do it, it’s about getting it right, and doing the version that the fans really deserve. We’ll see. I mean, all of those decisions are made in rooms I am not invited into… But Frank’s always there, he’s always a part of me. And when we get the call to go, I’ll be ready, and I’ll make sure that I do everything I can to make sure that we do it right, or we won’t do it at all.”

Marvel is considering making an adult-orientated Punisher series based on the War Journal comic book run and it could be sent to either FX or Hulu. Mikey Sutton from the Geekosity: All Things Pop Culture Facebook had this to say about the Punisher’s return:

“There has been chatter about either FX or Hulu for the Punisher to hunt and kill criminals, free from censorship. Regardless of which of the two he ends up, details have begun to emerge on where his future stands,” Sutton says.

“Marvel Studios intends to bring back Bernthal; however, it doesn’t mean the new series will follow the continuity of the Netflix program especially when the multiverse can now explain it away. Or it can they will simply not refer to it [They]would like other adult-oriented heroes to guest including Daredevil and Samuel L. Jackson in his foul-mouthed Fury, [and] the show could be called Punisher War Journal, just as the ’80s comic book.”

Punisher actor Royce Johnson, said that there was an agreement between the two companies to leave the franchise alone for a bit. Johnson told Comicbook.com in 2019, “I mean, talking to [Marvel TV president] Jeph Loeb, I read that the memo had said, ‘To be continued.’ There is a clause that I heard through rumor that we have to wait 18 months, up to two years.”

Johnson’s co-star Amy Rutberg also added, “There is this very real contract with Netflix. I had heard 18 months, maybe it’s two years. I suppose it’s possible that Marvel could buy them out, but I have not heard so much as a whisper.”

Bernthal’s approach to films outside of television/streaming has been a smart one. Bernthal continue to make a lot of appearances in great films. This has increased his fanbase, as the actor has great charisma and phenomenal acting chops!

Are you excited about the possibility of Bernthal’s return to the role of the Punisher? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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