While appearing on a Q&A panel at the ACE Comic Con in Glendale, Arizona recently, Jon Bernthal was asked which of Marvel’s Defenders he would like to see cameo in the second season of his Netflix show, The Punisher. Without hesitation, Bernthal named the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen as his first choice – which is unsurprising, given that it was his show that gave birth to The Punisher series in the first place.
“You know, I love Charlie [Cox]. I’ve worked with him before, and I’d work with him again on anything, in a heartbeat. He’s the reason I’m doing this. He brought me into this and his performance is what made me want to do it.”
It was in the second season of Daredevil that Bernthal’s Punisher was introduced, and the episodes included a notable, lengthy sequence in which Punisher and Daredevil are alone on a roof for a significant amount of time. It stood out in an otherwise middling season, due to its format as a head-to-head between a familiar superhero, and a new, domineering presence. As Punisher and Daredevil sparred – verbally and physically – a great deal was revealed about the new character, and his solo series was surely guaranteed at that point.
Jon Bernthal also observed, however, that another of the Defenders might make for an interesting scene partner.
“That being said, they’re all great. I’m a huge fan of Krysten’s [Ritter], too. She’s killer, and I’d love to work with her as well.”
A meeting of Punisher and Jessica Jones would certainly justify the cost of a Netflix subscription – given the fact that Punisher is the embodiment of male anger, while Jessica Jones is always the first to reduce such men to psychological dust with a single withering look. Not to mention, her superhero strength and abilities.
While it was a noble endeavour to include Daredevil’s Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) in The Punisher’s first solo season, an appearance by Jessica Jones would be a welcome addition in the second. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until later this year to find out if that’s even a possibility, though.
