Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Crashes Into Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Universe in Brand New Day

The gritty antihero, is set to enter the big-screen Spider-Verse in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, promising a darker twist to the beloved franchise.

Jon Bernthal is officially bringing the Punisher back—and this time, he’s trading streaming screens for the cinematic spotlight. Best known for his brutal portrayal of Frank Castle in Marvel’s gritty TV outings, Bernthal is now joining the ever-expanding Spider-Man universe alongside Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the upcoming Marvel-Sony collaboration.

Directed by Shang-Chi helmer Destin Daniel Cretton, the movie is slated to begin filming in the UK this summer and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

Details about the plot are tightly guarded, but early speculation hints at a jam-packed roster of villains, including underworld kingpins and even symbiote threats. There are even whispers of multiple versions of the Hulk making appearances. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will return as MJ and Ned, respectively, though the extent of their roles is still unknown. Meanwhile, Stranger Things breakout star Sadie Sink is confirmed to play a major new character.

Bernthal’s inclusion hints at a grittier tone. Known for his street-level justice, Frank Castle operates far outside the glossy world of magic and super-suits. In the comics and previous screen versions, the Punisher takes on crime using raw violence and determination—not spider-powers or advanced tech. While fans are intrigued by the potential for grounded storytelling, the idea of Castle clashing with gamma-powered Hulks is already fueling excitement.

Bernthal originally debuted as the Punisher in Netflix’s Daredevil before leading his own series for two seasons. He made a recent return in Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again, and Marvel isn’t stopping there. The character will return for Season 2 of Born Again and a standalone Punisher film on Disney+, which Bernthal is co-writing. Notably, he’s been firm about maintaining the character’s hard-edged, R-rated sensibility—even within Disney’s typically PG-13 territory.

His reunion with Holland is also a full-circle moment. Back in 2017, the two actors were working on the indie film Pilgrimage and helped each other prepare their Marvel auditions—a partnership that’s clearly paid off.

With Bernthal’s no-nonsense Punisher stepping into Holland’s Spider-Man universe, Brand New Day may mark a bold new chapter in the web-slinger’s cinematic journey.