The Punisher has been one hot topic ever since the rights reverted back to Marvel Studios back several years ago. He is a character never fully realized after several semi-failed attempts on film. Now while Marvel Studios is on a firm “No R rated movies ever” their subsidiary ABC Studios along with Netflix might actually let it fly. Currently the company is about to release Daredevil starring Charlie Cox on April 10th everywhere exclusively on Netflix. Next they are hard at work shooting AKA Jessica Jones starring Krysten Ritter. And just today announced the showrunner and premiere date for Luke Cage starring Mike Colter. Only show left that they have announced for Netflix is Iron Fist and then all four of them will converge in a Defenders mini-series. But what about after that? Daredevil showrunner Steven DeKnight recently spoke with SciFiNow about Marvel hopefully greenlighting a Punisher series on Netflix in all its R-rated glory:
I’ve been a huge fan of the Punisher comics for years. I’d love to see him get his due on a platform like this. Nothing would delight me more than to see the Punisher get his own show and maybe we could convince Marvel to go Hard-R rating. If any character deserves an R rating, it’s the Punisher.
Now Punisher and Daredevil have had a very interesting relationship over the years. Each trying to protect the city they love while going about it in two different ways. Often coming to blows at each other but having a mutual respect for each other at the same time. Could we ever see them finally cross paths? Let it be known that Frank Castle has already had several easter eggs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe including being the driver of a semi that saves Nick Fury in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Former Punisher Thomas Jane while getting up there in age did reveal on a Reddit AMA a couple months ago if he was approached by Marvel to once again dawn the Skull again he would indeed consider it:
Yeah, tell ’em I really love Circle of Blood, where Frank gets thrown in prison with a bunch of the guys that he put there.
Well, the Navy SEAL training was some of the hardest and most rewarding training I’ve ever done. The SEALS that I worked with were some of the most level-headed, intelligent, and loyal people i’ve ever met. And with the right story – I’d do it again. Yeah.
Even though it’s been out for several years if you haven’t watched Thomas Jane short film Dirty Laundry where he once again plays Frank Castle you may want to check it out. It’s what every Frank Castle dreamed about: