Jon Bernthal Joins Spider-Man 4 as The Punisher Alongside Tom Holland

Punisher Enters the Spider-Verse

June 21, 2025: Jon Bernthal is officially reprising his role as Frank Castle (The Punisher) in Spider-Man: Brand New Day—aka Spider-Man 4. The collaboration marks both Bernthal’s big-screen return and a hard-edged shift for the franchise, expected to film this summer in England en route to a July 31, 2026 release.

A Grittier Tone Ahead

Bernthal’s ruthless, R-rated interpretation of Castle—seen in Daredevil, The Punisher, and *Daredevil: Born Again—will enter a more family-friendly universe. He agreed to the crossover only if the character’s intense edge remains, bringing street-level realism to Peter Parker’s world.

Marvel Family Reunion

The reunion between Bernthal and Holland goes back years—they met on Pilgrimage and helped each other with Marvel auditions. Holland credits Bernthal’s early coaching for the famous web-slinger audition moments involving wall runs and backflips.

Heroic Team-Ups & Villain Surprises

Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as MJ and Ned, with Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joining the cast. Rumors swirl that Savage Hulk may appear and Bernthal’s inclusion points to a crossover with street-level heroes like Daredevil and Punisher.

What This Means for the MCU

Punisher’s appearance gives a raw, gritty edge to Spider-Man’s narrative escalation. It’s part of Marvel’s Phase Six roadmap—hinting at darker storytelling woven into greater, more mature superhero arcs .