Another well-known face from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for the upcoming *Spider-Man* film. As reported by *Deadline* and *The Hollywood Reporter*, Jon Bernthal will be reprising his role as Frank Castle (also known as the Punisher) in *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, which will be the comic character’s first cinematic appearance since 2008’s *Punisher: War Zone*.
Bernthal first appeared as the Punisher in season 2 of Marvel’s *Daredevil* series on Netflix and subsequently starred in a self-titled spinoff. His character then went into hiding along with the rest of the Defenders until Marvel reintroduced Daredevil and the Punisher in *Daredevil: Born Again* earlier this year, officially incorporating them into the MCU.
Additionally, Marvel has revealed that Bernthal is penning a Punisher special, which Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum describes as “a shotgun blast of a story.”
Now it is confirmed that we will see Frank Castle at least two more times in the MCU, as Bernthal has been cast in the new *Spider-Man* sequel. Speculation about his casting first emerged on *The Hot Mic* podcast in January, but it now appears to be officially verified.
Regarding the implications for *Brand New Day*, this indicates that Marvel is emphasizing a street-level narrative this time. After all, the world has forgotten who Peter Parker is after the events of *No Way Home*, so Spidey will likely need to rebuild himself from the ground up. And the Punisher may not have much to offer against a multiversal or galactic menace.
Bernthal will be part of a cast that includes returning stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jacob Batalon, along with newcomers Sadie Sink (*Stranger Things*) and Liza Colón-Zayas (*The Bear*). Destin Daniel Cretton will direct a screenplay he co-wrote with Chris McKenna.
Currently, *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* is set to premiere in theaters on July 31, 2026.
