[Video] Jon Bernthal Gets Real in Emotional Farewell on ‘The Punisher’ Special Set
Jon Bernthal is officially back as the Punisher. Marvel Studios has wrapped filming on a brand-new TV special for Disney+, and it’s set to bring Frank Castle back to the MCU in a big way. The upcoming special doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s confirmed to be a part of Marvel’s Phase Six and will land on Disney+ sometime in 2026.
This project is being called a “Marvel Studios Special Presentation,” and it’s the third one to be released under that label. It’s also the second MCU project focused on the Punisher, following the Netflix series that ran from 2017 to 2019. That earlier series was produced by Marvel Television, while this one is fully under Marvel Studios.
Jon Bernthal returns as Frank Castle, and this time, he’s more involved than ever. He not only stars in the special but also co-wrote it with director Reinaldo Marcus Green. The two have worked together before on King Richard and We Own This City, and their partnership is continuing with this Marvel project.
While filming the first season of Daredevil: Born Again in 2024, Bernthal started coming up with the idea for a Punisher-centered special. Bernthal pitched the story to Marvel himself. Winderbaum said Bernthal was passionate about the character and that he had really shaped the Punisher into what he called an “icon.”
Bernthal said that Marvel didn’t just give him the project because of his past work. “They didn’t just hand it to me… 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,” he said in an interview.
Filming started in mid-July 2025 in New York City, and the working title during production was Jolly Roger. Crews were seen shooting on Jamaica Avenue in Queens and around Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. One building in the background had a sign for “Gnucci’s Family Restaurant,” which fans think is a reference to Ma Gnucci and the Gnucci crime family from the comics. The shoot wrapped on August 4, 2025.
After the final scene was filmed, Jon Bernthal gave a heartfelt speech to the cast and crew. A video of the moment shows Bernthal getting emotional while thanking the people he worked with.
“This motherf**ker was impossible but we really fuc*ing did it,” he said. “It’s because of this man right here, and because of this person right here, and this motherfucker right here. Everybody gave their all here.” He said this while pointing to crew members around him, showing how grateful he was for the team effort.
Jon Bernthal gives a wrap speech on the set of ‘THE PUNISHER’ special (8.4.25) pic.twitter.com/cDJNHZ0OZc
— Warling (@WarlingHD) August 7, 2025
The special is expected to be rated TV-MA and will release alongside season two of Daredevil: Born Again in 2026. According to Marvel Studios, this will be the first Marvel project produced based on Bernthal’s own writing.
For fans of the Punisher, this special is shaping up to be a raw, emotional return for the character, and for Bernthal, it’s clearly a personal one.
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