Four actors have portrayed Marvel Comics character Frank Castle/The Punisher, with Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson steering film efforts in 1989, 2004 and 2008, respectively.
It wasn’t until Jon Bernthal took on the role in the second season of Netflix’s “Daredevil” that it appeared they had found an actor that fit the part well. Before that, the most financially successful of the three films was the Thomas Jane one.
Jane himself, currently out promoting the new film “Frontier Crucible,” was asked by ComicBookMovie.com about whether he’d be open to returning as Frank to which he dodged the question:
“I was very passionate about it. I did a short film called ‘Dirty Laundry’ that I produced and put together. I had a blast, and I’m so grateful to have been inducted into the world. I’m a big comic book fan.”
That said, he indicates he’s happy Bernthal has taken over the role now as the part never really suited him:
“I was miscast as Frank Castle. He’s an Italian. He’s got black hair and a whole different sort of lineage. He was born in the 70s, as the antithesis of the Italian mob. They had taken over the world briefly, and The Godfather came out of it, too. Frank was the answer to that. Francis Castiglione. I’m not that guy. I had to dye my hair black and become a different guy. I’m happy the part is played by someone who is more right for that role. I had fun, and I did the best I could with it. I’m very grateful for it, but I’m not that guy.”
Jane is currently completing his own graphic novel called “The Lucan” which hits next month, as does “Frontier Crucible” which arrives in cinemas and on digital next Friday.
