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Jon Bernthal’s Punisher returns in a violent new Disney Plus special. The Punisher: One Last Kill trailer just dropped today, and Frank Castle is set on fire going on a murderous rampage. The Marvel special premiere arrives May 12 with a dark revenge story.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: Streaming exclusive May 12, 2026 on Disney Plus
- Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green co-wrote with Jon Bernthal himself
- Format: Marvel Television Special Presentation in MCU Phase Six
- Plot: Frank Castle seeks meaning beyond revenge but unexpected conflict pulls him back
Frank Castle Returns More Brutal Than Ever
Jon Bernthal is back in the Punisher costume after appearing in Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. The Marvel Studios special was co-written by Bernthal and director Reinaldo Marcus Green, who worked together on King Richard and We Own This City. This marks the first piece of television written by Bernthal.
The trailer reveals intense violence: Frank Castle is set on fire while experiencing hallucinations of people addressing him. Brad Winderbaum, head of streaming at Marvel Studios, described it as “a shotgun blast of a story” with psychological depth. Bernthal promised the most “high-octane portrayal” of the Punisher yet, with no-holds-barred action.
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What’s the Story Behind One Last Kill
Frank Castle begins the special trying to live without revenge, but an unexpected force pulls him back into the criminal underworld. The special takes place concurrent with Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and drops one week after that finale on May 5. Bernthal brought in former Marine Raider Nick Koumalatsos as a consultant on set.
According to Marvel Studios, the Punisher special will receive a TV-MA rating for intense violence. The production filmed only 12 days in New York City, including scenes near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn and Jamaica Avenue in Queens. Filming wrapped August 4, 2025.
The Punisher: One Last Kill Production Details
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | May 12, 2026, 6 p.m. PT on Disney Plus |
| Director | Reinaldo Marcus Green |
| Writers | Jon Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green |
| Cast | Jon Bernthal, Jason R. Moore, Roe Rancell |
| Executive Producers | Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum |
“A visceral, psychologically complex, unforgiving, no-holds-barred version of Frank where he’s going to turn his back to the audience. Nothing is easy and all violence has a cost.”
— Jon Bernthal, Actor/Writer
How This Special Connects to Marvel’s Big Picture
Frank Castle first appeared in Netflix’s Daredevil Season 2 back in 2016. After two seasons on Netflix, the Punisher series was cancelled in 2019. Bernthal was cast in Daredevil: Born Again in early 2023, but initially left due to creative disagreement. After new showrunner Dario Scardapane took over, Bernthal returned and felt the series “opened the door” to portray Castle correctly.
The Punisher special is the third Marvel Special Presentation after Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Bernthal will next appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day releasing July 2026, and Tom Holland and director Destin Daniel Cretton ensured the Punisher character remains consistent across both projects.
Will This Be the Last Frank Castle Special
Bernthal titled the special “One Last Kill” suggesting finality, yet he also hinted the Punisher may appear in future MCU projects. The special airs only 33 days after Daredevil Season 2 finale, placing it within MCU Phase Six. Fans wonder if Frank Castle will return for more Marvel productions after this standalone story concludes.
