Jon Bernthal has returned as Frank Castle in the Disney+ special “The Punisher: One Last Kill,” which premiered May 12, 2026, and will next appear as the character in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” arriving in theaters July 31.
Quick Facts
- The Punisher special premiered on Disney+ on May 12, 2026.
- Bernthal co-wrote the special alongside director Reinaldo Marcus Green.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases July 31, 2026, and stars Tom Holland.
- The special marks Bernthal’s return to the character following his appearance in Daredevil: Born Again.
The special presentation, titled “The Punisher: One Last Kill,” brought back Bernthal as the vigilante antihero Frank Castle in a Marvel Television Special Presentation. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the special was co-written by Bernthal himself, giving the actor a creative hand in shaping his character’s latest story.
Bernthal’s return to the Punisher role came after his reprising of Frank Castle in the 2025 Disney+ series “Daredevil: Born Again,” continuing the character’s journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The special presentation marked a significant moment for fans who have followed the character across multiple platforms since the character’s original Netflix run.
Next, Bernthal will bring the Punisher into the Spider-Man universe when “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” opens in theaters on July 31. The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Tom Holland, will see the Punisher character enter the wider MCU Spider-Man narrative, marking a crossover between the street-level vigilante and the web-slinger.
Sources
- Deadline — Confirmed the Punisher special title and May 12 release date; reported Jon Bernthal’s casting in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- Marvel.com — Official Marvel synopsis and cast information for The Punisher: One Last Kill.
- Wikipedia — Detailed information on the special’s direction, writing credits, and production details.
- ABC News — Reported Jon Bernthal joining Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day with July 31, 2026 release date.
- Comic Book Resources — Confirmed Bernthal’s co-writing role on the Punisher special.
