Jon Bernthal, best known for playing the no-nonsense Punisher in Marvel’s Netflix universe, is now stepping into the cinematic spotlight with Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the highly-anticipated film is set to begin filming in England this summer and is scheduled to hit theaters on July 31, 2026.
A gritty twist to the friendly neighborhood saga
The storyline is still a well-kept secret, but fans can look forward to seeing some familiar faces alongside exciting new ones. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will return as MJ and Ned, though it’s unclear how big their roles will be this time around.
Stranger Things breakout Sadie Sink has also joined the cast, adding more buzz to the project.
The movie picks up after No Way Home, where the world forgot Peter Parker’s identity. Bernthal’s addition suggests a darker, more grounded tone, considering his character Frank Castle relies on brutal hand-to-hand combat and firepower instead of magical or tech-heavy gadgets.
The potential clash between Punisher and rumored superpowered foes, including variations of the Hulk, promises high-octane drama.
A violent antihero enters the PG-rated world
Bernthal isn’t new to Marvel fans. He debuted as Frank Castle in Daredevil before leading his own Netflix series for two seasons. Recently, he made a brief return in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, and Marvel appears to be betting big on him again.
Jon Bernthal will return for Season 2 of Born Again and will co-write and star in a standalone Punisher film for Disney+.
Bernthal was adamant about preserving the character’s R-rated grit, a bold move considering the Spider-Man films typically maintain a more family-friendly tone.
Interestingly, Bernthal and Holland go way back. The two actors were filming Pilgrimage in 2017 when they were both auditioning for their Marvel roles—helping each other with tapes that would shape their superhero futures.
