The ‘Punisher‘ film from 2004 helped introduce many fans to a grittier and more grounded take on the popular vigilante Frank Castle. Starring Thomas Jane in the titular role, the movie became a cult classic amongst comic book fans. Jane addressed the rumors and speculation that circulated during the lead-up to ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s‘ release.
With the multiverse shenanigans in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘, many hoped they might see previous Marvel characters pop up. With so many older X-Men and Marvel characters rumored to appear, fans wondered if the 2000s Punisher may make a surprise cameo. In a new interview, however, Thomas Jane has confirmed he was never contacted about reprising his role.
Jane Thomas Wouldn’t Mind A Return In The Future
Despite not being contacted for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘, Jane remained open to possibly returning to the character or franchise in the future. When asked about facing off against Bernthal’s Punisher as a villain, the actor responded “Hey, that wouldn’t be bad. I like that“.
Even after so many years, it seems Thomas Jane maintains an interest in the character and hasn’t ruled out playing Frank Castle or someone else connected to that universe down the line. While fans didn’t get to see multiple versions of Punisher interact in the recent film, Jane seems he would entertain the idea if presented with an intriguing role offer.
In the end, while Thomas Jane confirmed he wasn’t a part of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘ like some speculated, the actor remains enthusiastic about the Punisher franchise and other comic book properties. Even if Jane doesn’t reprise the role, his contributions to the character and respect for others’ work help demonstrate the complex history the Punisher has had on screen.
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Jane Thomas On Jon Bernthal’s Portrayal Of Punisher
During the interview with The Direct, Thomas was also asked about Jon Bernthal now taking the mantle of Punisher in future Marvel projects. “I like [Jon] Bernthal’s Punisher. I think, you know, for me, it was always a little bit of a stretch” Jane stated when asked about comparisons between his and Bernthal’s versions of the character.
Jane Thomas also praised Bernthal’s portrayal of the character in Netflix’s ‘The Punisher.’ “Bernthal wears it so well, so I think they should stick with him,” Jane said appreciatively. While he seemed to regard his own casting as a bit of a stretch due to his Irish heritage versus Frank Castle’s Italian background, Jane recognizes how perfectly the role fits Bernthal. This shows that while he wasn’t involved, Jane still respects the work others have done with the character.
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