Marvel’s latest addition to its Netflix section of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Defenders, is now available on the streaming service. While you binge your way through that culmination of years of storytelling, Marvel and Netflix are already doing their best to get you ready for the next series on the streaming platform with a teaser for The Punisher.
Since the character made his MCU debut in season two of Daredevil, Frank Castle (played by Jon Bernthal) has lived up to the hype with his self-appointed mission of settling scores with his own brand of justice. After a showdown with the devil of Hell’s Kitchen, The Punisher is going his own way now, and judging by the trailer it seems we may get some more backstory on one of Marvel’s toughest characters.
In the teaser footage, we see Castle talking about his past. How much of the show focuses on the past remains to be seen, but it is a backstory well worth investing in. (We also get a major John Wick vibe; maybe too much, actually.)
Marvel and Netflix worked quickly to put together a series focusing on The Punisher after the great reception the character received during the second season of Daredevil. Considering how popular The Punisher is with Marvel fans, it was expected the character would get his own series at some point the more Marvel and Netflix worked to on their own grittier, darker, and more violent corner of the universe.
The Punisher is scheduled for a release this calendar year, but an official date has yet to be announced. Considering the other Marvel releases scheduled the rest of the year, The Punisher may not drop on Netflix until October or December. The Defenders just went live today, and Inhumans is coming to ABC next month in September. Thor: Ragnorak does not hit theaters until November 3, and Runaways comes to Hulu on November 21. It is probably not likely Marvel would want two streaming series going head-to-head in the same opening window. Given the current lineup, dropping The Punisher on Netflix in October seems to make the most sense, although that brings Netflix’s tentpole release of Stranger Things into play as well.
If not October, then look for Frank Castle to get his revenge in December. Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like the Punisher getting justice, right?
