Punisher Disney+ Special Casts Villain as Filming Dates & Location Are Reportedly Revealed

Jon Bernthal is returning as Frank Castle in a new Marvel Special Presentation coming to Disney+. The Punisher is officially getting his own one-off special, and things are moving fast behind the scenes. The release is set for 2026, and filming is right around the corner.

The project will reunite Bernthal with Reinaldo Marcus Green, who is not only directing the special but also helping write the script. The two previously worked together on the series We Own This City, and now they’re teaming up again to bring Frank Castle back to life.

According to Nexus Point News, cameras will start rolling in New York by mid-July and continue into early August. That timing lines up with the end of production on Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, which means Bernthal will go straight from one Marvel project to the next without any break. It’s clear Marvel wants to keep the momentum going for his version of the Punisher.

Plot details haven’t been confirmed yet, but sources say the story might pick up after Castle breaks out of a private prison controlled by Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin. That would give fans a fresh chapter of the Punisher’s violent path, possibly putting him back on the streets for another mission.

There’s also news about the villain. Back in May, Marvel insider DanielRPK reported that a female mob leader was being cast for the special. Nexus Point News has now confirmed this, saying casting for the role is still underway. The character is believed to be Ma Gnucci, a brutal crime boss from the comics. If she does appear, this would be her first time showing up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This special will be part of Marvel’s growing line of shorter, standalone projects. So far, only Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special have been released under this banner. These specials are shorter than full shows or films, but still part of the larger MCU story.

For Bernthal, this marks his fourth time playing Frank Castle. He first showed up in Daredevil on Netflix, then led two seasons of The Punisher. He’s returning in Daredevil: Born Again, and will later appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, hitting theaters on July 31, 2026. That movie will be his first time appearing as the Punisher on the big screen.

Marvel hasn’t released an official statement yet about the full plot or casting, but this special looks like a big step forward for street-level characters in the MCU’s Phase Six. With Bernthal back and a solid creative team involved, fans have good reason to be excited.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!