Jon Bernthal is stepping back into the role of the Punisher, this time teaming up with Tom Holland.
He’s officially on board for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the upcoming installment in Sony and Marvel’s expanding Spider-Verse. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi, the film will be shot in the UK this summer and is set for release on July 31, 2026.
While plot details are scarce, speculation is buzzing. There are whispers about everything from local crime bosses to different iterations of the Hulk, along with two symbiotes—one of which has already been confirmed. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are returning as MJ and Ned, though it’s uncertain how prominent their roles will be. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is also joining the cast, but her character is still a mystery.
Incorporating Bernthal’s Punisher seems to indicate a darker tone for this phase of Peter Parker’s journey. In the comics, Frank Castle tends to be more about brute force than fancy gadgets. Seeing him confront the Hulk could create a mix of chaos and excitement that many Marvel fans would appreciate.
Bernthal made his debut as Marvel’s Punisher in Daredevil and later had his own two-season series on Netflix. He reprised the role recently in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+.
Marvel appears to have significant plans for Bernthal’s future, which not only includes the upcoming season of Born Again but also a new Punisher feature on Disney+. Reports indicate that Bernthal’s return had one key condition: the tone must remain true to the character’s intensely violent roots. How this will mesh with a more family-friendly Spider-Man film is still an open question.
Interestingly, Bernthal’s connection with Holland goes back several years. They worked together on the film Pilgrimage in 2017 and have since supported each other during their Marvel auditions.
Outside the MCU, Bernthal has been busy with projects like Accountant 2 alongside Ben Affleck and a thriller starring Rami Malek from 20th Century Studios.
He is represented by CAA and Sloane Offer.
