Punisher in film

The character of Frank Castle as portrayed by three actors in film (L–R): Dolph Lundgren in The Punisher (1989); Thomas Jane in The Punisher (2004); and Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008).

The fictional character Frank Castle / Punisher, a comic book vigilante antihero created by Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru and featured in Marvel Comics publications, has appeared as a main character in multiple theatrical, several animated straight-to-video films, and three fan films. Most notably, he has appeared in two self-titled films, the first in 1989 with Dolph Lundgren in the title role and the second in 2004 with Thomas Jane in the title role, as well as Punisher: War Zone , starring Ray Stevenson.

Development

The first film, known simply as The Punisher and starring Dolph Lundgren, is a film that was released theatrically internationally but straight to video in North America by Live Entertainment in 1989 that is most notable for lacking the character's signature skull. Marvel hired Jonathan Hensleigh to write and direct the 2004 film, starring Thomas Jane. The film was mainly based on two Punisher comic book stories; The Punisher: Year One and Welcome Back, Frank . ^[1]

A direct sequel was supposed to follow based on strong DVD sales, but the lack of a good script kept the project in development for over 3 years, and by the end both Jonathan Hensleigh and Thomas Jane pulled out. ^{[2] [3] [4]} In June 2007, Lexi Alexander was hired to direct and Ray Stevenson was hired in July to play the Punisher in the newly titled Punisher: War Zone , which became a reboot, and not a sequel to 2004's The Punisher. ^[5] This is the second time the film series has been rebooted, after the 2004 production rebooted 1989's The Punisher . ^[6] The film was released on December 5, 2008. The films primarily focus on Frank's vigilante crusade after the death of his family.

Live-action

The Punisher (1989)

Main article: The Punisher (1989 film)

The Punisher appears in a self-titled film released by Live Entertainment, portrayed Dolph Lundgren. This version is described as an unnamed "city's most wanted, and most mysterious, vigilante" and a "one-man weapon against crime" who has killed 125 people in the five years preceding the film's events. Additionally, he is a former police officer, undercover detective, and U.S. Marine whose wife Julie and daughters Annie and Felice Castle were murdered by mobsters via a car bomb meant for him. After being legally declared dead following the incident, Castle establishes a base for him in the labyrinthine sewer system and kills mobsters wherever he finds them. However, his efforts draw the attention of Gianni Franco, a leading mobster who seeks to unite the mob families, and Lady Tanaka of the Yakuza, who kidnaps the mob families' children to force them to submit to their control.

The Punisher (2004)

Main article: The Punisher (2004 film)

The Punisher appears in a self-titled film released by Lions Gate Pictures, portrayed by Thomas Jane. This version is an FBI agent and former soldier who goes on to retire after killing Bobby Saint, son of corrupt businessman Howard Saint. However, Howard retaliates by sending men to slaughter Frank's family amidst a Castle family reunion. Left for dead, burnt out, and haunted by the tragedy, Frank takes up a skull shirt given to him by his son before the latter's death and sets out to avenge his family by killing Howard and his inner circle. In an extended cut of the film, it is revealed Frank's friend Jimmy Weeks (Russell Andrews) sold him out to Howard.

Despite 2004's The Punisher being a box office disappointment, Lions Gate Entertainment was interested in a sequel based on the film's strong DVD sales. Jonathan Hensleigh and Thomas Jane were set to commence filming of the sequel, but the project remained in development hell for over 3 years due to the lack of a good script despite numerous writers being attached even after Hensleigh pulled out. Thomas Jane was so eager to do the sequel starring Jigsaw as the villain, that he'd put on an additional 12 pounds of muscle, and that "it would be darker, bloodier and more unfriendly than the first one." However, after reading the new script by Kurt Sutter, he stated, "What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch." ^{[7] [8]}

Punisher: War Zone (2008)

Main article: Punisher: War Zone

The Punisher appears in Punisher: War Zone, portrayed by Ray Stevenson. This version is a former Force Recon Marine who has operated as the Punisher for five years. After inadvertently killing an undercover FBI agent while assaulting a mob dinner, he attempts to atone for his mistake and threatens to quit vigilantism over his partner Microchip's protests. Amidst this, he must also contend with the FBI's "Punisher Task Force" and Billy "The Beaut" Russoti / Jigsaw, a survivor of the mob dinner who seeks to recruit an army to get revenge on Frank. ^[9]

Ray Stevenson had expressed interest in sequels, hinting at Barracuda as a possible villain. ^[10] At the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con, when asked if he signed on for more Punisher, he said, "If I had my wish, it's going to run and run. It's up to the fan base. If this works, we get to do it all again." ^[10] After War Zone was not received well by audiences, the rights for the character eventually reverted to Marvel.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Main article: Frank Castle (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

In February 2020, Adam Simon stated that he had previously pitched a The Punisher film to Marvel Studios that would be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), after the events of the Netflix television series of the same name, with Jon Bernthal reprising his role, described as " Falling Down by way of Full Metal Jacket ": ^[11]

"You got to let this thing live in R-Rated territory and it has to have the same grit and unapologetic boldness of Logan. In my take, we find Frank Castle as we left him at the end of the series, only now completely aware of the threat that superheroes and villains pose to mankind. So, Frank Castle has to go gunning for the person who he feels is responsible for the innumerable civilian casualties. The one who started it all by organizing these weapons of mass destruction to come together. Nick Fury. The twist is that Frank is being used, he spots the double-cross early at the end of act one. From that point on, we have a 3:10 to Yuma situation. Frank and Fury on the run from everyone, heroes and villains. It's 3:10 to Yuma meets L[é]on: The Professional by way of Winter Soldier."

In September 2014, Anthony and Joe Russo indicated that the Punisher had two cameo appearances in their feature film Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), as a Penske truck driver who runs over two different Hydra agents. The Russos also expressed interest in a Marvel One-Shot being produced about the character. ^[12]

Animation

Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013)

The Punisher appears in Iron Man: Rise of Technovore , ^[13] voiced by Norman Reedus.

Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2014)

The Punisher appears in Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher , voiced by Brian Bloom. ^[14] He is apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D. after interfering with one of their missions, but is offered to work with Black Widow to stop Leviathan in exchange for his release. ^[15]

Fan films

The Punisher: Dirty Laundry (2012)

Main article: The Punisher: Dirty Laundry

At the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International, Jane debuted an independently financed Punisher short film, directed by Phil Joanou, written by Chad St. John, produced by Adi Shankar, and co-starring Ron Perlman, titled Dirty Laundry. ^[16] Jane said, "I wanted to make a fan film for a character I've always loved and believed in – a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It's been a blast to be a part of from start to finish — we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it." ^[17]

Do Not Fall in New York City (2012)

Main article: Do Not Fall in New York City

An animated Punisher fan film titled Do Not Fall in New York City was released in 2012, with Lee Westwood voicing the eponymous character. ^[18]

Skull (2020)

Stuntman Eric Linden, who worked on the MCU / Netflix series The Punisher as a stunt coordinator, second unit director, and stunt double for Jon Bernthal, ^[19] directed and portrayed the Punisher in the short film Skull, produced in association with FXitinPost. ^[20]

Cast and crew

Principal cast

List indicator(s)

• This table only shows characters that have appeared in three or more films in the series.
• A dark grey cell indicates that the character was not in the film or that the character's presence in the film has yet to be announced.
• An ^A indicates an appearance through archival footage or stills.
• A ^C indicates a cameo role.
• An ^M indicates the actor was part of the main cast for the season.
• An ^S indicates a role as a stunt double.
• A ^U indicates an uncredited role.
• A ^V indicates a voice-only role.

Character	The Punisher	The Punisher	Punisher: War Zone	Marvel Cinematic Universe		Animation		Fan films
				Captain America: The Winter Soldier	Avengers: Endgame	Iron Man: Rise of Technovore	Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher	The Punisher: Dirty Laundry	Do Not Fall in New York City	Skull
	1989	2004	2008	2014	2019	2013	2014	2012		2020
Francis "Frank" Castle The Punisher	Dolph Lundgren	Thomas Jane	Ray Stevenson	Easter egg cameo appearances		Tesshô Genda V		Thomas Jane	Lee Westwood V	Eric Linden
						Norman Reedus V	Brian Bloom V
Maria Castle	Photograph	Samantha Mathis	Photograph
Danny / William "Will" Castle	Robert Simper	Marcus Johns
Natasha Romanova Black Widow				Scarlett Johansson		Miyuki Sawashiro
						Clare Grant	Jennifer Carpenter
Nick Fury				Samuel L. Jackson		Hideaki Tezuka John Eric Bentley
Maria Hill				Cobie Smulders		Junko Minagawa Kari Wahlgren
Tony Stark Iron Man					Robert Downey Jr.	Keiji Fujiwara Matthew Mercer
Clint Barton Hawkeye					Jeremy Renner	Shūhei Sakaguchi
						Troy Baker	Matthew Mercer
James "Rhodey" Rhodes War Machine					Don Cheadle	Hiroki Yasumoto James C. Mathis III	Silent cameo
Bruce Banner The Hulk					Mark Ruffalo		Yuichi Karasuma Fred Tatasciore
Thor Odinson					Chris Hemsworth		Silent cameo
Carol Danvers Captain Marvel					Brie Larson
Pepper Potts					Gwyneth Paltrow		Hiroe Oka Kate Higgins

Additional crew

Role
	The Punisher	The Punisher	Punisher: War Zone	The Punisher: Dirty Laundry	Iron Man: Rise of Technovore	Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher
	1989	2004	2008	2012	2013	2014
Director(s)	Mark Goldblatt	Jonathan Hensleigh	Lexi Alexander	Phil Joanou	Hiroshi Hamasaki	Kenichi Shimizu
Producer(s)	Robert Mark Kamen	Avi Arad Gale Anne Hurd	Gale Anne Hurd	Adi Shankar	—	Taro Morishima
Writer(s)	Boaz Yakin	Jonathan Hensleigh Michael France	Nick Santora Art Marcum and Matt Holloway	Chad St. John	Kengo Kaji	Mitsutaka Hirota Marjorie Liu
Composer	Dennis Dreith	Carlo Siliotto	Michael Wandmacher	Hans Zimmer James Newton Howard	Tetsuya Takahashi
Cinematographer	Ian Baker	Conrad W. Hall	Steve Gainer	Masanobu Takayanagi	—
Editor	Stephanie Flack Tim Wellburn	Steven Kemper Jeff Gullo	William Yeh Dean Zimmerman	Paul Norling	Bob Murawski	TBA
Production company	Carolco Pictures New World Pictures	Lionsgate Films		1984 Private Defense Contractors RAW Studios	Madhouse Marvel Entertainment
		Marvel Entertainment	Valhalla Motion Pictures MHF Zweite Academy Film SGF Entertainment Inc.
Distributor	Live Entertainment New World International	Lions Gate Films		YouTube	Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan
		Summit Entertainment Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International	Marvel Studios Sony Pictures Releasing	San Diego Comic-Con International
Running time	89 minutes	123 minutes	103 minutes	10 minutes	88 minutes	83 minutes
Release date	October 5, 1989 (West Germany) April 25, 1991 (United States)	April 16, 2004	December 5, 2008	July 15, 2012	April 24, 2013 (Japan)	March 25, 2014 (North America) September 3, 2014 (Japan)

Reception

Box office performance

Film	Release date		Box office gross			Reference
	United States	Other territories	United States	Other territories	Worldwide
The Punisher (1989)	April 25, 1991	October 5, 1989		Not disclosed in gross	Not disclosed in gross	[21]
The Punisher (2004)	April 16, 2004	May 5, 2004	$33,810,189	$20,889,916	$54,700,105	[22]
Punisher: War Zone (2008)	December 5, 2008	December 3, 2008	$8,050,977	$2,110,516	$10,161,493	[23]

Critical response

Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.

Critical and public response of Punisher in film

Film	Critical		Public
	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic	CinemaScore
The Punisher (1989)	25% (16 reviews) [24]	63 (4 reviews) [25]	—
The Punisher (2004)	29% (172 reviews) [26]	33 (36 reviews) [27]	B+ [28]
Punisher: War Zone	29% (111 reviews) [29]	30 (24 reviews) [30]	B− [28]

References

1. "Writer/Director Jonathan Hensleigh on The Punisher". Superhero Hype!. September 28, 2003. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
2. Jessica Barnes (June 15, 2007). "John Dahl Says 'Punisher 2' Script Not That Good". Cinematical. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
3. Frosty (June 11, 2007). "John Dahl is NOT directing PUNISHER 2". Collider. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
4. Quint (May 15, 2007). "AICN Exclusive: Thomas Jane dropping out of Punisher 2?!? – Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
5. "Punisher Will Enter War Zone 3 Months Later". Superhero Hype!. April 3, 2008. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
6. Fleming, Michael (August 1, 2007). "'Punisher' gets Lionsgate overhaul". Variety. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
7. "Thomas Jane Pull out of Punisher 2". SuperHeroHype.com. May 15, 2007. Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
8. "AICN Exclusive: Thomas Jane dropping out of PUNISHER 2?!?". aintitcool.com. May 15, 2007.
9. The Punisher: War Zone Synopsis – Superhero Hype!
10. IGN Punisher: War Zone Trailer, Videos and Movies Archived September 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
11. "The Raid Remake Writer Pitched a Punisher Movie to Marvel Studios".
12. Burcham, Cori (February 17, 2020). "Captain America: Winter Soldier's Punisher Cameo Explained – Was It Really Him?". Screen Rant . Retrieved February 17, 2020.
13. "ANIME NEWS: Madhouse and Marvel join hands again to produce new 'Iron Man' anime feature". Asahi Shimbun. December 25, 2012. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
14. "'Avengers Confidential' Offers Black Widow Some Time in the Spotlight". The Hollywood Reporter . January 21, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
15. McMillan, Graeme (January 21, 2014). "'Avengers Confidential' Offers Black Widow Some Time in the Spotlight". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 22, 2014.
16. "Comic-Con: Thomas Jane Unveiled a New PUNISHER Short Film with Special Guest Ron Perlman!". Collider. July 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
17. "Watch DIRTY LAUNDRY, the PUNISHER Short Film Thomas Jane Brought to Comic-Con; Plus 10 Images and a New PUNISHER Logo". Collider. July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
18. Cavalli, Ernest (September 11, 2012). "This animated fan film is the best Punisher movie to date". Digitaltrends.com . Retrieved August 17, 2016.
19. "STUNTS".
20. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Skull: Punisher Reawakened". YouTube .
21. "The Punisher". Dolph-ultimate.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
22. "The Punisher (2004)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved May 27, 2017.
23. "Punisher: War Zone (2008)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved May 27, 2017.
24. "The Punisher". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved May 10, 2022.
25. "The Punisher". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
26. "The Punisher". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved May 10, 2022.
27. "The Punisher". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
28. "Cinemascore :: Movie Title Search". CinemaScore . Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
29. "Punisher: War Zone". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved May 10, 2022.
30. "Punisher: War Zone". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2022.

External links

• The Punisher on Marvel.com