Jon Bernthal Explains Why Marvel Let Him Make The Darkest Punisher Story Ever

This animated special was a notable release for Marvel Television, following directly after season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again. It brought back Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, a character who hadn’t appeared in that season’s storyline. During our conversation, the creators discussed how they approached the project as a raw, character-driven psychological thriller, why they chose to start the story with Frank Castle at his lowest point, and how Marvel and Disney supported telling such a dark and intense Punisher story.

In an exclusive feature for ScreenRant, Jon Bernthal and director Savi Green talked about the emotional core of their new project, One Last Kill. They explored the film’s themes of fatherhood, loss, the struggles of veterans, and feelings of despair, and Bernthal even shared details about a dangerous fire stunt he did himself. Both Bernthal and Green stressed that One Last Kill came from years of discussing the true nature of Frank Castle – who he is beyond the violence – and what happens when revenge no longer gives him purpose.

Jon Bernthal emphasized that the success of One Last Kill depended on the creative team truly delving into Frank Castle’s darkest emotional and psychological state. He explained that past efforts to develop the character felt inauthentic because viewers hadn’t seen what truly broke him down inside.

We’re excited to share photos from the event, including several exclusive images from ScreenRant, showcasing Jon Bernthal’s most personal and demanding role in a Marvel project to date.

Jon Bernthal Wanted Frank Castle At Absolute Rock Bottom In Punisher: One Last Kill

Jon Bernthal believes the main theme of One Last Kill gets to the heart of Frank Castle’s character.

Jon Bernthal believes a central question with the character of Frank is understanding his true identity. Is he defined by his loss as a father and husband, or is he more at home in a violent, brutal world?

Jon Bernthal explained that the story originated from a long-standing question surrounding his character, Frank Castle, in various comic books, movies, and TV shows: “What happens when everything is gone? What’s left when there’s no one left to fight?” This question became the basis for the Marvel Television Special Presentation, which Bernthal wrote alongside Derek Green.

Jon Bernthal wanted viewers to witness Frank Castle’s breakdown as it happened, instead of simply showing a changed version of the character. He explained, “I wanted the audience to experience his struggles alongside him, and I didn’t want those changes to occur behind the scenes.”

Bernthal aimed to show Frank Castle’s emotional breakdown happening as the audience watched, instead of starting with a character who had already recovered. This led him and Green to begin the story with Castle at his most vulnerable and despairing.

Bernthal believes Marvel has always been searching for ways to evolve its characters, but previous attempts felt inauthentic. He felt it was crucial to explore the lowest point in Frank’s life, and this season will deliver that.

The Punisher: One Last Kill Is Built Like A Movie

Unlike The Punisher on Netflix, which felt like a series of episodes, One Last Kill was treated more like a single, intense psychological movie taking place over a single, dramatic day. According to Bernthal, it focuses on “a day in the life and a film of this unbelievably important day in Frank Castle’s life when this sort of big acute change takes place.” He also noted that the story relies heavily on visuals rather than dialogue, with him having very little spoken lines – around 95% of the piece is without him saying anything.

Green explained that Bernthal had been developing the emotional core of the story for years before they started writing it together.

You know, Jon had been thinking about this project for a long time – it felt like he already had a solid vision. When I first got the script, it was still being shaped, a lot of it was still forming in his mind. For me, it felt really new and exciting, and I got to approach the character with fresh eyes. I hadn’t looked at those old comics in decades, which was great because it gave me a different take on things than Jon’s. He’d already done so much work building the story, and my job was figuring out how to translate that amazing script into a real, cinematic movie.

Green explained that the heart of the story One Last Kill was a father’s instinct to protect his child, which finally gave Frank the emotional fulfillment he needed.

At its heart, this story is about a father and daughter, and Jon and I really understood that connection. It’s about a father figure who will always protect his child. The emotional climax, with the little girl calling to him as he faces a difficult choice, really captures the essence of the story and embodies who Jon is as a person. It was incredible to see that relationship develop throughout filming.

Jon Bernthal Drew From Veteran Trauma & Real-Life Marine Raiders For Frank Castle’s Story

A large part of what makes The Punisher: One Last Kill emotionally impactful – and why Jon Bernthal thinks the character connects with audiences – comes from his long-standing relationships with Marines and veterans. He’s spent years getting to know people from groups like the Marine Raiders and Green Berets, and many of them were present at the New York premiere with the cast and crew.

Look, building this project with Rei involved introducing him to people who are incredibly important to me – a group of Marine Raiders and Green Berets who have been like family to me for years. Their families are also close to mine. A lot of the story comes from thinking about what happens when people sacrifice so much, experience loss, and then try to rebuild their lives. That feeling of utter hopelessness – feeling responsible for everything wrong and seeing no way forward – that’s where we started with this version of Frank, or the Punisher. We wanted to capture that sense of being completely lost.

You know, the more I talk to people really involved in the filmmaking world, the more I hear this same thing, and it’s what made me want to explore this idea. I truly believe there’s a bit of Frank Castle – the Punisher – in all of us, and I think there’s a good reason for that. It’s not just about the action or the revenge, though those are part of it. I think people connect with the character because, at some point, we all feel a sense of hopelessness, that feeling that things are just… overwhelming. It’s a universal experience, and I think that’s why he resonates with so many of us.

Bernthal explained that the discussions he had greatly influenced Frank Castle’s mental state at the start of the show. He also talked about anomie, a feeling of disconnection that many veterans experience when they return from service.

Jon Bernthal described a difficult psychological state, often experienced by veterans, called anomie. It’s a feeling of complete hopelessness that sadly can lead to suicide.

One of the most intense parts of the show features Frank Castle considering suicide – a surprisingly dark topic for Marvel, especially considering a similar scene was cut from an earlier film, The Incredible Hulk. Jon Bernthal, who plays Castle, shared that this moment was based on a true story told by Nick Koumalatsos, a Marine Raider and producer on the show.

He was once at a point where he went to the beach intending to end his life, but a powerful connection with one of his children changed his mind. I wanted to begin the story with that moment.

The Punisher: One Last Kill Ends With Frank Castle Finding A New Purpose

As a big fan, I was really struck by how One Last Kill changed Frank Castle. It wasn’t just about the action; by the end, he seemed to be in a totally different headspace. Jon Bernthal mentioned that Frank starts to realize protecting other families – keeping them safe – could be a way to honor the memory of his own lost family. It felt like a genuine turning point for the character, a hint of hope amidst all the darkness.

What really gets me about this storyline is the idea that my character is finally starting to move past his grief and guilt. I’m hoping they show it in a subtle way, not hitting you over the head with it. But the moment with the little girl and the gift she gives him… that’s huge. When he finally places her gift on his daughter’s grave, instead of something taken from someone he’s harmed, it feels like a turning point. It’s like he’s realizing he can honor his family not by continuing the cycle of violence, but by protecting other families. It’s a big step towards finding some kind of peace, and honestly, it’s incredibly moving to me as a fan.

Even though Frank Castle remains violent and angry throughout the show, Jon Bernthal believes the ending suggests a turning point, giving the character a renewed sense of purpose.

Marvel & Disney Let Jon Bernthal Push Punisher: One Last Kill Further Than Ever

From the start, Marvel and Disney embraced Jon Bernthal’s take on the character and gave the filmmakers the freedom to explore Frank Castle’s emotional and psychological depths in ways they hadn’t before, as Green explains.

When Jon and I initially discussed the project, he had a very clear vision for the character. He immediately emphasized that we would only proceed if we could do it justice. It was amazing that Disney gave us the freedom to realize Jon’s creative ideas and bring them to life.

Bernthal expressed this same idea several times during the interview, and shared that he was still amazed by how much freedom Marvel gave them to explore the emotional and physical limits of Frank Castle.

Jon Bernthal feels Frank Castle (the Punisher) doesn’t truly belong to him or even to his co-star, Rei. He believes the character belongs to the people who connect with him most – particularly fans, veterans, and those in law enforcement. Bernthal sees portraying Frank as a serious responsibility and is surprised and grateful that the creative team allowed them to tell the story they did.

Jon Bernthal shared that Marvel executives were completely supportive of the grittier tone of One Last Kill, even when the people making the film weren’t sure if those darker elements would actually appear in the finished version.

Bernthal described being given a real chance to shape the character, saying the creative team essentially told him, ‘Go for it, show us what you’ve got.’ He emphasized how often projects like this get shut down, but this one moved forward. He feels strongly that fans have been wanting a darker, more violent take on the character, and that aligns perfectly with who Frank Castle is – he’s not a hero seeking redemption.

Jon Bernthal isn’t alone in having a strong creative voice when it comes to characters he’s portrayed for a long time. Ryan Reynolds is well-known for his involvement with Deadpool, and on the Marvel television side, both Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio played a key role in reworking Daredevil: Born Again. They’ve also become Executive Producers on the show moving forward.

I really appreciate seeing Vince and Charlie, and everyone else involved, have so much creative control. They’re incredibly talented actors and smart creatively, so their input is invaluable. It’s a true reflection of how much the people in charge value their contributions.

Jon Bernthal Literally Set Himself On Fire For Punisher: One Last Kill

The actor was deeply dedicated to portraying Frank Castle with raw intensity, and this commitment influenced the entire production. While the action sequences are impressive, a particularly challenging stunt – where Jon Bernthal performed a fire stunt himself – proved pivotal for the character, marking a significant emotional and physical turning point in Frank Castle’s journey, according to the director.

The scene is really all about the story, and it’s a key moment for Jon’s character. But having the main actor actually set himself on fire? That’s pretty remarkable, to say the least.

When we questioned if the fire effects were genuine, Green chuckled and assured us the footage was real.

Green was seriously committed to the stunt, and everyone – including me – was trying to talk him out of it. I kept saying, “Are you absolutely sure? Because we’ll support you either way.” It takes a lot of courage to put yourself through something like that. Watching Jon prepare was incredible, but he wasn’t doing it for the thrill of it. That’s what makes him different. He did it because it served the story and his character, and that really mattered.

Green explained that this scene was always meant to be a key part of One Last Kill. The filmmakers specifically focused on showing Frank Castle both protecting innocent people and rediscovering his motivation.

As a fan, I was blown away by that Punisher scene, and hearing how it came together is even cooler. It was a huge risk, and the fact that everyone involved was willing to go through all that for a really authentic character moment speaks volumes about how important Frank Castle is, both to Jon and to us, the fans. They had an amazing stunt team and even worked with Marine Raiders to pull it off! It all started with the writing, though. They always wanted something special, something that showed Frank fighting for and protecting the community. Once they saw the pre-visualization, they knew they had it – that was the moment, a really crucial one for the show.

Green also praised the stunt team, Marine Raiders, and the production crew for ensuring the sequence was executed safely and realistically, staying true to the film’s grounded style.

This scene is a favorite of mine because it’s crucial to the story. It’s the first time we see things as they truly are, shifting from the perspective of our narrator who has been deceiving us. The fire is real, Jon is truly conscious, and it marks the moment the central conflict, or ‘the beast,’ is unleashed.

What’s Next For Jon Bernthal’s Punisher After One Last Kill?

Now that Frank Castle is set to reappear in this summer’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Jon Bernthal hinted at what’s next for the character following One Last Kill. He explained that, ultimately, Frank’s story will always revolve around the core theme that drove the recent special: family.

You know, talking about playing Frank Castle, or the Punisher, it always comes back to family for me. I’ve said it before, and my co-star, Rei, totally gets it – we’re husbands and fathers first, that’s our whole world. That’s actually what initially connected us while working on King Richard. That foundation is essential for me to even begin to understand this character. To really get Frank, I needed to tap into that feeling of loving someone – or something – more than yourself, being willing to sacrifice everything for them. And honestly, I don’t think Frank is ever going to find peace or happiness. That’s just not who he is. But I believe he will find ways to show his dedication to those he cares about, even if it’s not in a traditional, feel-good way.

Despite the emotional growth Frank goes through in One Last Kill, Bernthal continues to portray Frank Castle as someone who will never truly find peace or happiness.

Bernthal didn’t share any concrete details about what’s next for the character, but he suggested that Frank Castle’s motivations might become even more driven by personal feelings in the future.

I believe we can definitely bring the character back in a way that I don’t want to spoil, but he’ll be focused on pursuing those who hurt innocent people. He’ll be able to make those conflicts personal, and when Frank Castle does that, it becomes incredibly intense for everyone involved.

Don’t miss “The Punisher: One Last Kill,” a special television event from Marvel, premiering May 12th on Disney+. It will be available to stream at 6 PM Pacific Time / 9 PM Eastern Time.

2026-05-13 03:05