Punisher crashes Spider-Man: Jon Bernthal joins Tom Holland in Marvel’s darkest Spidey film yet

Jon Bernthal is officially returning as the Punisher, this time on the big screen alongside Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The film is the latest installment in the Sony-Marvel Spider-Man franchise and is set to be directed by Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton. Production begins this summer in England, with a theatrical release scheduled for July 31, 2026.

Bernthal made his debut as vigilante Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, in Netflix’s Daredevil, later leading his own gritty Marvel series. He recently reprised the role in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, and Marvel is further investing in the character with a standalone Punisher film, which Bernthal is also co-writing.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will pick up after the events of No Way Home, which ended with the world forgetting Peter Parker’s identity. The cast also sees the return of Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned, while Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joins in a mystery role.

While plot details remain tightly guarded, Bernthal’s inclusion suggests a more grounded tone. Known for his brutal, street-level justice, the Punisher’s appearance in the traditionally more family-friendly Spider-Man series raises questions about how Marvel will balance tone and character continuity.

Bernthal and Holland share history, having helped each other prepare for their original Marvel auditions while filming Pilgrimage in 2017. With the Punisher officially entering the MCU’s cinematic Spider-Verse, fans are eager to see how this dynamic plays out.