Marvel's plans for The Punisher remain unclear once they get the rights back from Netflix but an actor who once played the iconic role has an idea that might get some fans excited. Thomas Jane, who played the character in the 2004 movie, has put it out there that he would like to direct Jon Bernthal, who played the titular role on the Netflix series, in a project centered around Frank Castle.
Jane was discussing his most recent directorial endeavor which is an episode of the hit series The Expanse and when asked by "ComicBook.com" about The Punisher, here is what Jane had to say:
"That would be a fan thing. If the fans really wanted me back, and we could find a script. See, I think the Punisher, and the reason why I did the short, was that it hasn't fully been cracked in a way that fully honors the character, Frank Castle, in a film. And I love what Bernthal did on Netflix. I think he's such a great Punisher. In fact, I would love to direct a Punisher starring Bernthal, because he's such a great actor."
The idea of giving The Punisher a dark and gritty big-screen reboot offers the chance for something different for the character. The actor went on to explain that he would be willing, under the exact right circumstances, to return to the role. But what's most appealing is the idea that a new movie would be allowed to go dark:
"We couldn't make a dark film when we did Punisher in 2004. We couldn't go as dark because people just hadn't trusted, on the production side, that fans would be into that. But, now we've got shows like The Boys and, of course, The Dark Knight came out after The Punisher, where I think that producers and studios are now aware that there's a real audience for the darkness, the Taxi Driver-esque quality that you could pull out of a Frank Castle, and that hasn't been done. And I would love to do that. But again, we have to take it to a place where, frankly, The Punisher has always wanted to go."
Jon Bernthal debuted as The Punisher in Daredevil season 2 on Netflix. From there, Bernthal then had the opportunity to headline two seasons of a solo show before it was canceled in February 2019. Marvel Studios will regain the rights to the character in February of next year and Bernthal has continued to express interest in playing the character again. Could Jane have his chance to direct Jon Bernthal as The Punisher? Who knows? It's 2020, stranger things have happened.
Would YOU be down for a Thomas Jane-directed Jon Bernthal Punisher project?