Latest Set Leaks Show Jon Bernthal in Full Action While Filming MCU Punisher Special

Jon Bernthal is officially back as Frank Castle, and fans are already getting a taste of what’s coming in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Punisher special. The untitled Disney+ special is part of Phase Six of the MCU and marks the second time Marvel Studios has centered a project on the vigilante after his original Netflix series The Punisher (2017–2019).

This time, it’s being produced entirely by Marvel Studios as part of their Special Presentation banner.

The project is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who also co-wrote the script with Bernthal. The two previously worked together on King Richard and the miniseries We Own This City. Bernthal, who has played Frank Castle since his 2016 debut in Daredevil, was brought back for Daredevil: Born Again and reportedly pitched the idea for this special while filming that series.

According to Marvel Studios executive Brad Winderbaum, the character means a lot to Bernthal, and he called the actor’s portrayal “iconic.” Bernthal said he didn’t want Marvel to just hand him the project, explaining, “They’ve held me accountable to every step along the way. I really want to earn this and I really want this to be good.”

The special will also bring back Jason R. Moore as Curtis Hoyle, Castle’s loyal friend and one of the few people who knows he’s alive. Moore’s character is a former U.S. Navy SARC who lost part of his leg in combat and now runs a therapy group for veterans.

Roe Rancell has also joined the cast in a role that’s still under wraps. Rumors suggest the infamous comic book villain Ma Gnucci could make her MCU debut here, and on-set signs for “Gnucci’s Family Restaurant” seem to back that up.

Filming kicked off in New York City in mid-July 2025 under the working title Jolly Roger. Production has been spotted in Queens on Jamaica Avenue and near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Fans following the shoot got an even bigger treat recently when set video surfaced online showing Bernthal fully in character, brawling with a group of thugs in a brutal street fight. The footage confirms that Castle’s violent, no-nonsense style is very much intact in his MCU return.

Jon Bernthal filming #ThePunisher special ☠️🎬 pic.twitter.com/Ub28wTsRXP

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) August 3, 2025

Bernthal’s Punisher first gained a massive following during his run on Netflix, known for mixing gritty realism with intense action.

When Disney regained the rights to the character, many fans worried he might be toned down for the MCU. But this upcoming special is expected to receive a TV-MA rating, making it one of the most mature Marvel Studios projects yet. That should reassure longtime viewers that the Punisher’s brutal edge won’t be lost.

The Punisher’s new chapter will follow his appearances in Daredevil: Born Again, connecting to the wider MCU. While exact plot details are still a secret, the combination of Bernthal’s passion, Green’s direction, and the raw street-level energy shown in the leaked footage suggest Marvel is going all-in.

The special is set to release in 2026, and if the early looks are anything to go by, Frank Castle is returning with a vengeance.

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