Last Updated: July 15, 2025
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Jon Bernthal joins Tom Holland in Spider-Man’s next adventure
Last Updated: July 15, 2025
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Marvel fans, get ready.
A new and intriguing chapter in the Spider-Man saga is unfolding, and it’s bringing some serious firepower.
Jon Bernthal, who has become the definitive on-screen Punisher, is officially joining Tom Holland in the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The film is directed by Shang-Chi‘s Destin Daniel Cretton and is set to begin filming in England this summer.
The release date is already locked in: July 31, 2026. With that in mind, fans are buzzing about what Bernthal’s gritty anti-hero will bring to the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’s next journey.
The Punisher Steps Into the Big Screen Spotlight
Jon Bernthal is no stranger to the Marvel universe. He first stepped into the role of Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher, in Netflix’s Daredevil series.
The character was such a hit that he quickly earned his own spin-off series, which ran for two seasons. His portrayal of the tormented, vengeance-driven vigilante earned praise for being raw, intense, and emotionally layered.
Now, the Punisher is trading in his streaming street cred for a blockbuster moment. Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks the character’s first appearance on the big screen within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and fans are wondering what that might mean for the tone of the film.
In a universe where Spider-Man’s storylines often involve web-slinging acrobatics and youthful energy, the Punisher’s brutal justice-by-any-means approach feels like a sharp shift. But Marvel seems ready to embrace the contrast.
A Grittier Path Ahead?
There’s no denying that Jon Bernthal brings a different energy. As someone who operates in the shadows and uses fists, knives, and guns rather than fancy gadgets or sorcery, his presence suggests a more grounded take.
While rumors swirl about potential villains, including crime lords, symbiotes, and even multiple Hulks, the addition of the Punisher signals that not all the danger may come from outer space or alternate dimensions.
It’ll be fascinating to see how that gritty edge fits into the more family-friendly world of the Spider-Man films. And that’s the million-dollar question.
Bernthal himself has been vocal about wanting to maintain the R-rated tone that defines the Punisher. In fact, when he signed on to return in Daredevil: Born Again, he insisted that his character retain that edge.
So what happens when this grim enforcer crosses paths with Peter Parker? Could it lead to a moral clash? Or will Spider-Man’s idealism challenge the Punisher’s methods?
Familiar Faces Return, and a Few New Ones Join
So far, Tom Holland is back in the lead, and fans can breathe easy knowing Zendaya will return as MJ along with Jacob Batalon as Ned. However, there’s still no word on how large their roles will be. The film takes place after the dramatic events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker’s identity was erased from public memory.
Adding to the excitement is Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, who’s confirmed to join the cast in an undisclosed role. Whether she’s friend, foe, or something in between, her involvement only deepens the mystery surrounding the plot.
And that mystery is thick. Marvel is playing things close to the chest. Online speculation points to an army of villains and a possible multiversal twist, but so far, nothing is officially confirmed beyond the core cast.
Bernthal and Holland’s Bond Runs Deep
Interestingly, Bernthal and Holland have a history that predates their Marvel fame.
The two actors worked together on the 2017 film Pilgrimage, and during that time, they actually helped one another prepare for their respective Marvel auditions.
“We did a film about seven or eight years ago,” Bernthal said in reference to Pilgrimage during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “That was where both Tom did his audition for Spider-Man and I did my audition for Punisher. We actually made each other’s audition tapes on that film.”
What’s Next for Bernthal and the Punisher?
Marvel clearly has big plans for Jon Bernthal. He recently reprised his role as Frank Castle in a few episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, and fans were thrilled.
There’s already confirmation that he will return in season two of that series, and Marvel is moving forward with a new stand-alone Punisher film for Disney+. Bernthal is even co-writing the project, which shows his deep commitment to the character.
Outside of Marvel, Bernthal is staying busy. This year, he appeared opposite Ben Affleck in The Accountant 2 and took on a role in The Amateur, a thriller alongside Rami Malek. He continues to show versatility, moving between mainstream blockbusters and grittier, character-driven work.
A Promising Collision of Worlds
Jon Bernthal joining Spider-Man: Brand New Day could be one of the most interesting moves Marvel has made in recent years.
His character brings a level of intensity and moral ambiguity that contrasts sharply with Spider-Man’s hopeful outlook. But that’s exactly what makes the potential dynamic so compelling.
Fans have plenty of time to speculate before the 2026 release, but one thing is already clear: this won’t be your typical Spider-Man movie.
TLDR
- Jon Bernthal joins Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- Film releases July 31, 2026, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
- Bernthal reprises the role of the Punisher from Netflix’s Daredevil.
- Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Sadie Sink are also in the cast.
- The movie takes place after No Way Home.
- The Punisher hints at a darker tone.
- Bernthal is also co-writing a new Punisher film for Disney+.
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Bee DeloresAuthor
Bee DeloresLover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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