“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is swinging into theaters soon, and it brings along a surprising companion—Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher, played by Jon Bernthal. This unexpected duo of Spider-Man, portrayed by Tom Holland, and the relentless Punisher poses a compelling dynamic worth exploring before catching the film. To uncover Frank’s backstory and understand how he fits into this particular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) installment, check out Looper’s insightful explainer video above.
The journey of the Punisher, both in comics and on screen, is a fascinating tale. Conceived by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, and John Romita Sr., Frank Castle debuted in “Amazing Spider-Man” #129 back in 1973. This origin roots the Punisher deeply within Spider-Man’s universe. Over the decades, the character has undergone various transformations and has been adapted into several films. Before Jon Bernthal’s portrayal, the Punisher was brought to life by actors like Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane, and Ray Stevenson.
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is a force to be reckoned with
Bernthal took on the role of Frank Castle in 2016, first appearing as a major character in “Daredevil” Season 2. He later led his own series, “The Punisher,” which aired from 2017 to 2019. Although transitioning from the mature-themed Netflix Defenders series to the more family-oriented MCU seemed unlikely, the Punisher made a strong comeback. Castle resurfaces in “Daredevil: Born Again” Season 1 in 2025 and starred in the 2026 Disney+ special, “The Punisher: One Last Kill.”
With more than ten years portraying Frank Castle, Jon Bernthal stands as the longest-serving actor for the role, potentially defining the character for future generations. His debut in a full-length MCU film with “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” promises action-packed scenes. To fully immerse in the Punisher’s cinematic journey before the film’s release on July 31, 2026, Looper’s explainer video remains the ideal resource.