Thomas Jane and THE PUNISHER 2 have ended their relationship, citing irreconcilable differences. Sources close to the couple say that Jane was unhappy with the direction the movie was heading, and would rather not reprise the role of Frank Castle in the sequel to the 2004 film if it wasn’t going to be done right. Jane broke the news himself to AICN, and was clearly devastated over the break-up:
I’m writing to tell you that I regretfully and painfully had to pull out of P2. I can’t tell you how completely broken up I am about it. After busting my ass at the gym four days a week for almost two years, watching every character driven action pic that any fan would ask me to watch while I was standing in line buying egg whites and Tuna fish… Punisher fans are already fighting an uphill battle as it is. And I’ve always felt a responsibility to fight that fight for them and with them so that Frank Castle gets the treatment he deserves.”
If you ask me, it sounds like the studio is to blame for the demise of this relationship. My guess is that if the studio hadn’t butt in and tried to exert their influence and opinions on the couple, we would have seen Jane and THE PUNISHER 2 on the big screen together. It really is a shame, because it sounded like they were really getting to know each other better, and although it didn’t seem so at first, I think these two were a good fit. Now all we’ve got left is the original film, when the two were still awkward together. But we can’t act shocked people. Hollywood relationships never last. Best of luck to both Jane and THE PUNISHER 2 in the future and during this difficult time.