The Walking Dead’s Jon Bernthal to play The Punisher on Netflix’s Daredevil

Another street level superhero is about to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jon Bernthal has been cast as The Punisher. Bernthal will make his debut on the second season of Marvel’s Daredevil. The Netflix series is currently set to return next year. Marvel.com did not have any details as to how large of a role Bernthal will have on the series.

Jon Bernthal rose to fame thanks to his role as Shane on the first two seasons of AMC’s The Walking Dead. He also had a starring role in Frank Darabont‘s Mob City. On the big screen, the actor has recently appeared in David Ayer‘s FURY, Martin Scorsese‘s THE WOLF OF WALL STREET and the upcoming ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL. He takes over the Marvel character previously played on the big screen by Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane, and Ray Stevenson.

Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb, had this to say about the news.

“Jon Bernthal brings an unmatched intensity to every role he takes on, with a potent blend of power, motivation and vulnerability that will connect with audiences. Castle’s appearance will bring dramatic changes to the world of Matt Murdock and nothing will be the same.”

Marvel’s Daredevil was a huge hit when it debuted on Netflix a few months ago with an accelerated plan for a second season added. Netflix is planning to air AKA Jessica Jones later this year with an Iron Fist and Luke Cage series developing to air over the next few years. The series will culminate in an AVENGERS-style team-up of all the street level heroes titled The Defenders. There is no word on whether Bernthal’s Punisher will get his own series on the streaming platform.

While I am not entirely sold on this casting, it isn’t the worst thing I have heard. In fact, I can see Bernthal pulling of the gritty demeanor the role requires. I am just glad that we are getting more expansion for this other side of the Marvel Universe. Now, if they could just incorporate Blade and Ghost Rider and all will be right with the world.

Marvel’s Daredevil will debut season 2 on Netflix in 2016.