2026 ‘Punisher’ Special Villain Seemingly Got Revealed Through Set Leaks

Marvel’s upcoming Punisher special is already making waves, and it hasn’t even been released yet. The Disney+ project will bring Jon Bernthal back as Frank Castle, marking the second Marvel Cinematic Universe project focused on the character after his Netflix series.

This time, the vigilante is stepping into a darker, more intense story that promises to give fans the version of Punisher they’ve been waiting for.

Bernthal first returned as Castle in Daredevil: Born Again, which began streaming in 2025. The new special was developed while that series was still being filmed. Bernthal teamed up with director Reinaldo Marcus Green and co-writer Green to bring the idea to life, with Marvel Studios officially announcing the project earlier this year. According to Marvel, the special is set to hit Disney+ sometime in 2026 as part of Phase Six of the MCU.

Recently, set leaks have given fans their first big clue about the villain. Photos from filming in New York show signage for Gnucci’s Family Restaurant, a strong nod to the Ma Gnucci crime family from the comics. Not long after, rumors started flying that actress Chloë Sevigny could be playing Ma Gnucci herself. Marvel hasn’t confirmed this, but the set leak has sparked major excitement among fans.

Looks like Chloe Sevigny COULD be the actress portraying Ma Gnucci in 'THE PUNISHER' special presentation. pic.twitter.com/tN3mkjzHwd

— Warling (@WarlingHD) August 3, 2025

The Punisher special has been described as brutal, emotional, and unflinching. Executive producer Brad Winderbaum told Marvel.com that Castle’s story is fueled by pain, revenge, and justice. “It’s a shotgun blast of a story, but it also has all the pathos and emotion that you want out of a Frank Castle story,” he said.

Bernthal echoed that sentiment, promising that this won’t be a watered-down version of the antihero. “This is the version that this character deserves. It’s the visceral, psychologically complex, unforgiving, no-holds-barred version of Frank,” Bernthal said. “Nothing is easy and all violence has a cost, and we’re going to see that cost. I’m grateful that they’re letting me go to the places that I really want to go.”

The cast also includes Jason R. Moore reprising his role as Curtis Hoyle, a close friend of Castle and one of the few people who knows he’s alive. Roe Rancell has also joined the project in a role that is still being kept secret. Production began in mid-July under the working title Jolly Roger, with filming taking place in Queens and near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Bernthal has gone all-in on preparation for the role, bringing back former Marine Raider Nick Koumalatsos, who trained him for Born Again, as a consultant. The intention is to keep the military and tactical elements of the Punisher’s world as authentic as possible while delivering the gritty realism fans expect.

With the possibility of Ma Gnucci entering the MCU, the stakes for Castle are higher than ever. The villain is known in the comics as one of the most ruthless crime bosses, and if Sevigny is indeed playing her, it could lead to some unforgettable on-screen showdowns.

The Punisher’s return promises blood, chaos, and a story that pulls no punches, and thanks to those set leaks, fans now have a pretty good idea of who will be standing in Frank Castle’s way.

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