‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ will feature Jon Bernthal’s Punisher in a gritty MCU crossover
He recently appeared in the ‘Daredevil’ series, could this be the build-up towards a new movie for ‘The Punisher’?
Marvel fans, get ready: Jon Bernthal is officially returning as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in the upcoming film ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’. This marks the first time Bernthal’s version of the character will appear on the big screen, following his acclaimed run in the Netflix and Disney+ series ‘Daredevil’ and ‘The Punisher’.
A darker tone for Spider-Man?
Set to release on July 31, 2026, ‘Brand New Day’ will be the fourth Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland, and it’s already shaping up to be a tonal shift for the franchise. With Destin Daniel Cretton (‘Shang-Chi’) directing, the film will reportedly explore a more grounded, street-level narrative—something Bernthal’s gritty Punisher is perfectly suited for.
While plot details remain under wraps, insiders suggest that Castle’s presence could signal a move toward darker, more mature storytelling within the Spider-Man corner of the MCU. This could also pave the way for deeper connections to characters like Daredevil and Kingpin, both of whom have been reintroduced in recent Disney+ series.
Returning cast and new faces
Alongside Holland and Bernthal, the film will bring back:
- Zendaya as MJ
- Jacob Batalon as Ned
- Sadie Sink (‘Stranger Things’) in a mystery role
- Rumors also hint at appearances from Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk and even Miles Morales’ family
The story will pick up after ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, with Peter Parker now forgotten by the world. That setup could allow for a fresh dynamic between Spidey and Castle—possibly as uneasy allies or even adversaries.
Bernthal’s return as The Punisher adds serious weight to ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, promising a film that blends youthful heroism with street-level intensity. Whether Castle is friend or foe remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: this is not your average Spider-Man sequel.
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