(Image credit: Netflix)
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episode 4.
The recent episode of Daredevil: Born Again introduced Jon Bernthal’s Punisher to the MCU, marking his debut. It was a surprise that he nearly wasn’t part of this journey, as Bernthal disclosed he initially walked away from the original concept.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bernthal expressed his discontent with the show’s initial vision. He admitted, “Ultimately, I didn’t see it. I didn’t see the version of Frank, and what they wanted from Frank [didn’t] really make sense to me and I thought would not appeal to the fans and wouldn’t be congruent.” The actor emphasized it was not something he felt interested in pursuing, leading him to step back.
The production faced a significant shift when the Hollywood strikes paused filming, bringing Dario Scardapane as the showrunner. Known for his previous collaboration with Bernthal on The Punisher TV show, Scardapane’s involvement was pivotal. Bernthal acknowledged, “They really brought me into the conversation,” referring to Scardapane and Marvel. This collaboration focused on delving deep into Frank’s psychological and physical state.
The latest episode showcases a brief, yet poignant scene between Frank Castle and Matt Murdock. Though brief, it includes some of the most touching dialogues yet. Charlie Cox once revealed how Bernthal occasionally rewrote his dialogues during production, often choosing to keep these changes a secret.
Daredevil: Born Again airs weekly on Disney Plus. Discover more through our release schedule and the season 1 review.