Jon Bernthal Explains His Hesitation to Return for Daredevil

Jon Bernthal, known for his role as The Punisher, nearly did not return for the Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again due to initial concerns over the creative direction for his character. He felt that the portrayal didn't align with what fans would expect from Frank Castle. However, after a change in the show's creative team, Bernthal developed a renewed interest in his role. The new showrunner, Dario Scardapane, engaged Bernthal in discussions about the character’s psychological state and direction, which led to a significant revitalization of Frank Castle's character in the series. In Episode 4, Bernthal has a poignant reunion scene with Matt Murdock, hinting at deeper exploration in future episodes. He is also set to star in a standalone Punisher TV special, which promises to delve into the darker aspects of his character.

Yes, Bernthal has confirmed that the new direction of his character will embrace the dark complexities of Frank Castle, steering clear of lighter tones to focus on a more psychologically intricate portrayal.

Daredevil: Born Again is a highly anticipated revival of the popular Netflix series featuring Charlie Cox as Daredevil. The series aims to bring back beloved characters and storylines while exploring the deeper aspects of their personalities. Bernthal's return is particularly notable as The Punisher's character was well-received by fans during his previous appearances, and his fresh adaptation in this series is generating excitement for the show's future. Original fans of The Punisher will appreciate this darker approach, making it a significant point of interest for the Marvel Cinematic Universe fans.