*Courtesy of Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.*

Jon Bernthal, known for his fierce portrayal of the Punisher in multiple Marvel television series, is now bringing the character to the big screen. Bernthal has officially joined the cast of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ starring alongside Tom Holland in the upcoming Marvel and Sony production.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is scheduled to begin shooting in England this summer and is slated for release on July 31, 2026.

Plot details remain tightly under wraps, with fan sites speculating on a wide range of possible villains — from criminal kingpins to alien symbiotes and even alternate versions of the Hulk. While much of the story is still a mystery, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are confirmed to return as MJ and Ned, though their exact involvement is unclear. Another major addition to the cast is ‘Stranger Things’ star Sadie Sink.

‘Brand New Day’ picks up after the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ where the world had learned Peter Parker's identity before that knowledge was magically erased. Bernthal’s inclusion as Frank Castle, a.k.a. the Punisher, hints at a grittier tone for the film. Known for his brutal, street-level justice — favoring fists, firearms, and sheer grit over superpowers — Castle brings a grounded edge to the superhero world. Still, the prospect of him crossing paths with a Hulk-sized threat adds an intriguing twist.

Bernthal originally debuted as the Punisher in Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’ before headlining his own series for two seasons. He recently reprised the role in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ on Disney+ and is set to return for its second season. Marvel also has plans for a standalone Punisher film on Disney+, which Bernthal is co-writing. His return to the role came with one condition: preserving the character’s intense, R-rated nature — something that could be a stark contrast to the typically more family-friendly tone of the Spider-Man films.

Bernthal and Holland share a bit of acting history together outside of Marvel, previously working on the 2017 film ‘Pilgrimage.’

Bernthal’s recent film work includes ‘The Accountant 2’ alongside Ben Affleck for Amazon, and a role in ‘The Amateur,’ a thriller starring Rami Malek for 20th Century Fox.

MORE NEWS