Jon Bernthal Will Bring The Punisher to the Big Screen in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Jon Bernthal is stepping back into his most famous role, this time on a much larger stage. The actor, long associated with the brutal vigilante Frank Castle, has officially joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the upcoming Marvel-Sony collaboration set to star Tom Holland.

Directed by Shang-Chi filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is expected to begin filming in England later this summer. A theatrical release is locked in for July 31, 2026. While most plot details are being kept under wraps, Bernthal’s casting signals a potential tonal shift in the web-slinger’s world.

The actor rose to prominence in the Marvel universe through his breakout appearance and much loved performance in Daredevil on Netflix, later leading his own spin-off, The Punisher, for two seasons. Most recently, Bernthal returned in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, with Marvel already planning a second season and a solo Punisher film for the platform. Bernthal is also contributing to the script for that standalone feature.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bernthal’s return hinged on one key condition: “One nonnegotiable he had for his return to Daredevil was maintaining the character’s violent, R-rated feel.” That grit may clash with the typically family-friendly tone of the Spider-Man franchise, but it could also offer something distinct in a universe now spanning magic, multiverses, and mutants.

Brand New Day takes place after the events of No Way Home, where Peter Parker made the ultimate sacrifice: his own identity. While Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are also confirmed to return, their roles remain under wraps. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is the only major new cast member announced before Bernthal’s reveal.

Casting The Punisher could mean the film leans into street-level stakes rather than galaxy-spanning threats. That said, rumors swirling online still speculate on appearances from multiple villains and even a version of the Hulk. Whether that’s a misdirect or a mash-up remains to be seen.

Off-screen, Bernthal’s star power is holding strong. This year alone he’s starred opposite Ben Affleck in The Accountant 2 and appeared alongside Rami Malek in The Amateur. Now he’s reuniting with Tom Holland, his Pilgrimage co-star, for a Marvel team-up that’s been years in the making.

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