Jon Bernthal was a perfect fit for the role of Frank Castle in Marvel’s Netflix series The Punisher. Ever since the series was canceled, fans have been wondering what will see from the character in the future. We have no idea if Marvel actually is planning anything for the character, but if they are, I hope that Bernthal is a part of it!
Adam G. Simon, the writer the remake of Gareth Evans’s epic action filmThe Raid, which has been reworked as a new and different movie titled Zeno, actually pitched an R-rated Punisher movie to Marvel.
During an interview with ComicBook, Simon revealed he pitched his idea “years before the [Netflix] series dropped.” He described the film as being “like Falling Down by way of Full Metal Jacket.” The story would have followed Frank Castle as he embarked on a mission that would lead to him coming face-to-face with Nick Fury. He ended up adjusting his pitch in this recent conversation to take place after the Netflix series. He explained:
“In my take, we find Frank Castle as we left him at the end of the series, only now completely aware of the threat that superheroes and villains pose to mankind. So, Frank Castle has to go gunning for the person who he feels is responsible for the innumerable civilian casualties. The one who started it all by organizing these weapons of mass destruction to come together. Nick Fury. The twist is that Frank is being used, he spots the double-cross early at the end of act one. From that point on, we have a 3:10 to Yuma situation. Frank and Fury on the run from everyone, heroes and villains. It’s 3:10 to Yuma meets Leon: The Professional by way of Winter Soldier.”
I’d watch the shit out of that! He went on to praise to Bernthal’s take on the character and said, “I want Bernthal to continue to explore the character and be completely unfettered and out of control. I think he does too.” He went on to excitedly share more ideas for his film saying:
“First, since he was so pissed about it getting canceled, you get Eminem on board for the music and the soundtrack. Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, Joel Edgerton as Bullseye, Kristin Scott Thomas or Edie Falco as Ma Gnucci, Jeffrey Wright or Russell Crowe as Micro, Sam Jackson as Nick Fury and a few of The Avengers, namely, Falcon, Black Widow, and Winter Soldier. Oh, and since we are talking obscene amounts of violence and mayhem, you get Joe Lynch directing. If fans got a problem with that hot take, I got seven others. Let’s go.”
He sure has a clear vision of what he wants with his Punisher movie! I don’t think that Marvel will ever roll forward with a Punisher film like this, but it seems like it would be a crazy movie that fans might enjoy.