Jon Bernthal will play Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The movie stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker and is set to release on July 31, 2026. This marks Bernthal’s first big-screen appearance as the iconic Marvel vigilante.
Bernthal first played The Punisher in Netflix’s Daredevil in 2016. He later led his own spin-off series, The Punisher, which ran for two seasons. Recently, he returned to the role in Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again and will star in a Punisher special in 2026.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the fourth solo film featuring Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. The previous movies—Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home—were major box office hits. The new film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
The plot remains mostly secret, but the movie will follow Peter Parker after the events of No Way Home. In that film, he erased everyone’s memory of him to save the multiverse. Holland called the new movie “a fresh start” for Spider-Man.
“I know we left you with a massive cliffhanger at the end of No Way Home, so Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a fresh start. It is exactly that. That’s all I can say.”
Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will return as MJ and Ned, though their characters no longer remember Peter. Newcomer Sadie Sink from Stranger Things will also join the cast in an undisclosed role.
The Punisher’s inclusion suggests a darker, street-level story. Unlike Spider-Man, who avoids killing, Frank Castle is known for his brutal methods. This clash in ideologies could lead to major tension between the characters.
In the comics, Spider-Man and Punisher have a complicated relationship. They sometimes team up but often disagree on how to fight crime. Fans are excited to see how this dynamic plays out in the MCU.
Bernthal’s Punisher will also appear in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, set for March 2026. A Punisher-focused Disney+ special is also in the works, with Bernthal co-writing the script.
The movie’s title, Brand New Day, references a famous Spider-Man comic storyline. In it, Peter Parker rebuilds his life after major personal losses. The film may follow a similar theme after the events of No Way Home.
Rumors suggest other characters like Hulk and Kingpin could appear. However, Marvel has not confirmed these details. The story is expected to focus on Spider-Man’s struggle to protect his city while dealing with his erased identity.
Production begins soon in England, with more casting news expected in the coming months. The film’s release date was recently moved from July 24 to July 31, 2026.
Bernthal’s return as The Punisher has generated excitement among fans. His performance in Daredevil and The Punisher was widely praised. Bringing the character into the MCU officially opens new storytelling possibilities.
The Punisher’s violent methods could challenge Spider-Man’s moral code. This conflict may be a central theme in the movie. Fans are eager to see how their dynamic unfolds on the big screen.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be a key part of Marvel’s Phase 6. It releases just months before Avengers: Doomsday, hinting at possible connections. The film could set up future storylines in the MCU.
With Bernthal’s Punisher, Holland’s Spider-Man, and a talented director, the movie has strong potential. Fans will have to wait until 2026 to see how it all comes together.
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