(Image credit: Netflix)
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episode 4.
The newest episode of Daredevil: Born Again introduced Jon Bernthal’s Punisher into the MCU for the first time. Yet, it was revealed that his inclusion was on shaky ground initially, as Bernthal nearly exited the project due to creative differences.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bernthal disclosed his disinterest in the original plans for his character. “Ultimately, I didn’t see it,” he explained. “I didn’t see the version of Frank, and what they wanted from Frank [didn’t] really make sense to me and I thought wouldn’t appeal to the fans and wouldn’t be congruent,” he emphasized. “It was not something I was really interested in doing. So we had to walk away.”
The series faced a creative overhaul enforced by the Hollywood strikes that paused filming. During this period, producer Dario Scardapane stepped in as showrunner. Scardapane, known for his previous collaboration with Bernthal on The Punisher TV show, played a pivotal role in convincing him to return. Bernthal credits Scardapane and his former Netflix colleagues for rekindling his interest.
“They really brought me into the conversation,” Bernthal noted about Scardapane and Marvel. “We really got specific about where Frank is psychologically, where Frank’s at physically.”
The recent episode showcases a poignant reunion between Frank Castle and Matt Murdock. Although his appearance is brief, the scene delivers some of the most heartfelt lines of the series. Charlie Cox previously mentioned that Bernthal frequently modified his dialogue, at times on the fly.
Daredevil: Born Again is currently streaming weekly on Disney Plus. For an updated schedule, check out our Daredevil: Born Again release schedule and take a look at our season 1 review.
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