Jon Bernthal, long known for his gritty portrayal of the Punisher in Marvel’s television universe, is officially stepping into the cinematic spotlight.The actor, who brought Frank Castle to life in Daredevil and headlined two seasons of The Punisher on Netflix, is now joining forces with Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the upcoming instalment in Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Verse reported THR.
The film, directed by Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton, begins filming in England this summer and is set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. Plot details are still highly secretive, though speculation is running wild. Fan sites have floated a wide range of potential villains, from underworld kingpins to alien symbiotes and even multiple Hulks.
However, what we do know is that Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are confirmed to return as MJ and Ned, though their screen time still remains a mystery. A notable new face joining the ensemble is Stranger Things breakout Sadie Sink, whose role remains undisclosed. The story picks up after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, in which the world’s memory of Peter Parker was wiped clean, leaving him isolated and anonymous.
Bernthal’s inclusion suggests a shift in tone where we could potentially see him steering Spider-Man into grittier territory. The Punisher, rooted in Marvel’s street-level narratives, doesn’t rely on gadgets or sorcery. He deals in blunt-force justice, wielding fists, blades, and firearms to take down the criminal underworld. This sets the stage for a grounded, high-stakes dynamic, though the idea of Castle going toe-to-toe with a Hulk variant remains a tantalizing prospect.
Bernthal debuted as the Punisher in Marvel’s Daredevil before headlining The Punisher, which ran for two seasons on Netflix. More recently, he made a return appearance in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, reaffirming his place in the evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, with Brand New Day, he brings his grim resolve into Spider-Man’s orbit, hinting at a potentially darker, more complex entry in the franchise.
