Jon Bernthal is suiting up once again as the Punisher — and this time, he’s heading to the big screen alongside Tom Holland.
Actor Bernthal has officially been added to the cast of the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is part of the expanding Spider-Verse created by Sony and Marvel. The movie will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Shang-Chi, and is scheduled to begin filming in England this summer with a release date set for July 31, 2026.
While the specific details of the plot are being kept under wraps, there is a lot of speculation surrounding the film. Various rumors suggest a range of possibilities, from street-level crime bosses to different iterations of the Hulk, and perhaps even appearances of symbiotes. What has been confirmed is that Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will reprise their roles as MJ and Ned, although it remains uncertain how much screen time they will receive. Additionally, Sadie Sink from Stranger Things will also be joining the cast in a role that has yet to be disclosed.
The inclusion of Bernthal’s Punisher character indicates a potentially darker and more intense atmosphere for this particular segment of Peter Parker’s journey. In the comic books, Frank Castle is known for his brutal and relentless approach, which contrasts with the typical web-slinging and high-tech aspects associated with Spider-Man. The prospect of seeing Punisher facing off against an enraged Hulk promises an exciting and chaotic spectacle that Marvel enthusiasts are sure to enjoy.
Bernthal first made his mark as the Punisher in Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix before leading his own standalone series for two seasons. More recently, he reprised the role for Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+.
And Marvel has big plans for Bernthal moving forward. Not only will he return for Born Again Season 2, but he’s also co-writing and starring in a new Punisher feature for Disney+. According to reports, Bernthal had one condition for stepping back into Castle’s boots: the tone had to stay true to the character’s ultra-violent, R-rated roots. How that translates to a more family-friendly Spider-Man movie remains to be seen.
The connection between Bernthal and Holland actually goes back years. The pair were filming Pilgrimage together in 2017 while preparing to audition for their respective Marvel roles — and helped each other tape those fateful auditions.
Outside the MCU, Bernthal’s recent projects include The Accountant 2 opposite Ben Affleck for Amazon and The Amateur, a thriller starring Rami Malek for 20th Century Studios.
Bernthal is repped by CAA and Sloane Offer.
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