‘Had A Great Time’: Jon Bernthal Opens Up About Training Beside Fellow Punisher Star Thomas Jane

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for pop culture and a soft spot for superheroes, I must say that the reunion of Jon Bernthal and Thomas Jane, both portraying the iconic character Frank Castle, is nothing short of magical. It’s as if Marvel Studios wrote this storyline themselves!


In the realm of superhero storytelling, where multiverse concepts and crossovers are prevalent, it’s fascinating when actual events mirror artistic creations. An instance of this happened when Jon Bernthal, who played Frank Castle in The Punisher TV series, met Thomas Jane, the actor who portrayed the same character in Lionsgate’s 2004 standalone film. This encounter took place during a Daredevil: Born Again showcase at D23, while Bernthal was gearing up for his role in the upcoming series.

Jon Bernthal recently revealed their unexpected encounter to Entertainment Weekly. He explained that one day, he coincidentally ran into Jane at a firing range where they were both honing their skills. Given that they played the same character, Frank Castle, the chance of this encounter was already significant. “On the same day, we were both at the shooting range. As I was preparing for this role, he just happened to be there. It was an extraordinary moment to be with him, learn from his perspective, and it was a privilege to share it with him. He’s someone I admire greatly. I have deep respect for him, and we had a fantastic time together.”

Thomas Jane was the second actor to embody Marvel’s notorious antihero, Frank Castle, after Dolph Lundgren initially played the role in 1989. However, Thomas Jane’s portrayal of this dark character in the 2004 film “The Punisher” left a lasting impression on fans. Later, Ray Stevenson took over the role for “Punisher: War Zone” in 2008. Eventually, Jon Bernthal stepped into the shoes of Frank Castle, debuting in season two of Netflix’s “Daredevil.” This appearance paved the way for his own series, “The Punisher,” which ran for two seasons.

The news of Bernthal resuming his role as the tough avenger in Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again is significant, given that the initial Netflix series ended in 2018. Joining him will be Charlie Cox, who reprises his character Matt Murdock, the blind crusader known as Daredevil. Other familiar faces include Karen Page, Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, and the formidable antagonist Kingpin, also known as Wilson Fisk. Notably, Cox and D’Onofrio have reprised their roles in other Marvel productions like Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Hawkeye, and Echo.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d put it this way: Just like Vincent D’Onofrio mentioned, it’s quite exciting to have all these talented actors in one series again, especially since it harks back to the original Netflix run. The new episodes will indeed revisit some storylines that date back to the first series, but rest assured, they won’t just be a repetition. Instead, they’ll build upon the foundations laid by our characters, moving the narrative forward in an engaging and innovative way.

Charlie Cox appreciates how the shared character history in the series adds depth, yet he points out that it can be challenging if not handled carefully: “History lends richness, but it can feel heavy if not managed thoughtfully. I think our writers and Dario Scardapane, our showrunner, have done a fantastic job balancing this—they acknowledge the history, but the characters aren’t bound by it.”

He additionally shared that the evolution of characters like Frank Castle is carefully considered, and any significant shift in these characters is thoroughly justified. If changes appeared drastic, they were purposeful and well-planned, as he underlined the importance of both character integrity and audience understanding.

Deborah Ann Woll echoed this sentiment too, alleviating fan concerns by asserting that the events of the past three seasons continue to shape who their characters are. However, the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series will delve into these characters’ lives at a completely new juncture, presenting them with fresh viewpoints and challenges.

With the long-awaited premiere of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ in March 2025, viewers can look forward to an adaptation that stays faithful to its original essence while also exploring fresh dimensions for much-loved characters.

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2024-08-19 15:08