Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Disney+ Special to Be Longest MCU Special Yet
Following his impactful return in Daredevil: Born Again, Jon Bernthal is set to reprise his role as Frank Castle / The Punisher in a modern special for Disney+. The upcoming special is already making waves, confirmed as the longest installment of the Marvel Studios Special Presentations to date.
Runtime and Production Details
According to a Writers Guild of America (WGA) listing, as reported by CBR, the Punisher special will run for 60 minutes. This surpasses the runtime of previous Marvel Studios specials: Werewolf by Night (53 minutes) and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (42 minutes). The special is co-written by Bernthal himself, alongside director Reinaldo Marcus Green.
Cast and Creative Team
In addition to Bernthal, the special is expected to feature Jason R. Moore as Curtis Hoyle, Roe Rancell as Dennis and Mila Jaymes as Charli. Reinaldo Marcus Green is directing the project, which is being produced by Marvel Studios. Executive producers include Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Brad Winderbaum. Cinematography is being handled by Robert Elswit, with editing by Melissa Lawson Cheung.
A Separate Story Within the MCU
The special will present a standalone story, distinct from the narrative unfolding in Daredevil: Born Again and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This allows for a focused exploration of the Punisher character, building upon his previous portrayal in the Netflix series The Punisher (2017-2019), which has since moved to Disney+. Bernthal has assured fans that the Disney+ special will maintain the dark and gritty tone they’ve reach to expect from the character, stating it will not be “Punisher-lite.”
What the Creators are Saying
Marvel’s Brad Winderbaum described the special as a “shotgun blast of a story” while still retaining the emotional depth inherent in a Frank Castle narrative. He emphasized Bernthal’s deep understanding of the character and the opportunity to integrate him further into the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Bernthal himself expressed gratitude for the chance to tell a story that he believes fans deserve, promising a challenging and impactful portrayal.
Release Date and MCU Phase
Filming took place in New York City between mid-July and early August 2025. The untitled Punisher television special is slated for release in mid-2026 as part of Phase Six of the MCU. An official premiere date has not yet been announced. The return of Daredevil: Born Again is scheduled for March 24, 2026, and Bernthal is also set to appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which hits theaters on July 31, 2026.