Daredevil Season 2: 10 Reasons This Is The Definitive Punisher

10. Jon Bernthal

One strength of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that continuously puts them ahead of their competition is their stellar casting choices. Most all of Marvel’s heroes have been perfectly cast, from franchise juggernauts like Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark to more supporting heroes like Paul Bettany as The Vision. This trend continues with the selection of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher.

Bernthal showed his considerable talent as Shane in the first few seasons of the Walking Dead and has since been impressing critics and audiences in films like The Wolf of Wall Street, Fury and Sicario. When it was announced he would be taking the role of Marvel’s most merciless vigilante, no too many people were complaining as Bernthal had the look, the skills and the intensity to do the character justice.

Now that we’ve seen the final product, it is clear the fans’ faith was well placed.

None of the previous Punisher actors were particularly bad (Dolph Lundgren may have been a miscast), but they all pale in comparison to what Bernthal brought to the table. He effortlessly pulled off the soft-spoken tough guy in intimidating fashion, and he certainly carried himself well in the action sequences. But it was in Frank Castle’s quieter moments, when he reluctantly opens up about his past loss, that Bernthal really made his mark.

Here’s hoping it’s not too long before he’s back in the role again.