The initial plan for the Punisher's return did not impress him. The version of the character proposed by the studio did not align with the actor's vision, and he simply couldnā€™t see himself portraying such a version of the Punisher. Bernthal believed the new take would not resonate with him or the fans, so he declined the offer.

The issue was that the series was originally planned as a soft rebootā€”so soft that it shifted toward a more subdued procedural tone, with less emphasis on action. However, after filming several episodes of theĀ DaredevilĀ continuation, Marvel decided to significantly rework the series, bringing back the former showrunner ofĀ The Punisher. As a result, the show became darker, more intense, and, most importantly, more violent, bringing it closer to the original. Additionally, it was decided to bring back many of the original cast members who had been inexplicably cut from the first version. For example, Matt Murdockā€™s old friends were absent in the initial iteration of the series. All of this convinced the actor to return.

Furthermore, a special episode dedicated to the Punisher is set to be released in 2026.

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