(Image credit: Netflix)
The latest episode of Daredevil: Born Again has finally introduced Jon Bernthal’s Punisher into the MCU. However, this almost didn’t happen. Bernthal admitted he walked away from the show’s original concept, citing disagreements with the character’s proposed direction.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bernthal explained his reservations when first approached for the series. ‘Ultimately, I didn’t see it.’ He continued, ‘The version of Frank they presented didn’t align with my vision and would not appeal to the fans.‘ Bernthal felt it was ‘not congruent’ with his understanding of the character and decided to step away.
The show’s trajectory shifted significantly when Hollywood’s strikes caused a pause in filming. Dario Scardapane was brought on as showrunner, known for his previous collaboration with Bernthal on The Punisher TV series on Netflix. This change in leadership played a crucial role in Bernthal’s return.
‘They really brought me into the conversation,‘ Bernthal noted about Scardapane and Marvel’s approach. ‘We discussed Frank Castle’s psychological and physical journey in detail.’
In the latest episode, Frank Castle returns for a poignant moment with Matt Murdock. Although his screen time is brief, it includes some of the most emotionally charged dialogue the series has offered. According to Charlie Cox, Bernthal often improvised his lines, sometimes catching even his co-stars by surprise.
Fans can tune in to Daredevil: Born Again as it streams weekly on Disney Plus. For further updates and insights, be sure to visit our detailed review and release schedule.
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