Punisher Special, Expected Out in 2026: Winderbaum Calls It “Really Emotional and Wild

Brad Winderbaum dropped some juicy details about the upcoming The Punisher Special, and it looks like fans will be in for a wild, emotional ride. Just when you thought Marvel was running out of steam, they pull another rabbit out of the hat. Or, in this case, they’re letting Frank Castle out of his cage for The Punisher Special. 

The Big Deal with The Punisher Special

Speaking at New York Comic Con 2025, Winderbaum gave us a peek behind the curtain. Apparently, the special, penned by Jon Bernthal himself and director Reinaldo Marcus Green, has already wrapped filming and is now in the editing phase. He also casually mentioned that Academy Award-winner Robert Elswit, the genius behind the look of There Will Be Blood, was the cinematographer. So, at the very least, it’s going to be pretty.

According to BleedingCool, Winderbaum described The Punisher Special as a “beautiful piece and incredibly acted by John [Bernthal]. I mean, really emotional and wild.” “Emotional and wild” is an interesting combo for a character whose primary emotion is “rage” and whose wildness usually involves a high body count. But hey, we are all here for it.

After the rollercoaster that has been the MCU lately, something that promises to be both a gut-punch and a visual masterpiece is exactly what the doctor ordered. Let’s be real, Jon Bernthal is Frank Castle. He embodies the character with a raw intensity that’s frankly terrifying and utterly captivating. Bernthal has always been vocal about his deep connection to the role.

Per Movieweb, Bernthal said, “I care very deeply about Frank, I’m really grateful that I’m getting the opportunity to tell the story that I think the fans deserve. We’re giving it our all and we’re trying to tell a Frank Castle story that we’re going to turn our back on the audience — it’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be light, and I think it’s the version that this character deserves and I’m just beyond honored and grateful that we get the opportunity.”

Why Did Bernthal Almost Walk Away?

It’s this passion that led him to co-write The Punisher Special. He felt that fans, especially those in the military and first responder communities, were hungry for a specific version of Frank Castle. So, he took his ideas to the powers-that-be at Marvel, and to their credit, they listened. That move alone will do wonders for The Punisher Special. 

Bernthal said, “I presented that version to them, and they encouraged me.” This wasn’t just a case of an actor wanting more lines; it was about protecting a character he loves and delivering something authentic. It’s a refreshing change from the usual studio-mandated drivel we sometimes get. Here’s where it gets interesting. Before the current creative team was in place for Daredevil: Born Again, Bernthal was approached to reprise his role, but he turned it down.

Flat out. Why? Because the initial pitch sounded, well, lame. He described it as a “weekly procedural” that felt disconnected from the gritty soul of the Netflix series. It wasn’t the Frank Castle he knew, and it wasn’t something he thought fans would appreciate. “Ultimately, I didn’t see it,” Bernthal shared. “It was not something I was really interested in doing. So we had to walk away.”

It takes guts to say “no” to Marvel, but it shows his commitment to the character. He wasn’t going to come back just for a paycheck or cheap fan service. He needed it to be right. Fortunately, Marvel hit the reset button on Daredevil: Born Again, bringing in writer Dario Scardapane, who had worked on the original The Punisher series. This creative shift brought Bernthal back to the table, and this time, he was a key part of the conversation. They got into the nitty-gritty of Frank’s psychological state, ensuring his return felt earned and true to the character.

Final Thoughts

So, The Punisher Special seems to be a passion project born from Bernthal’s fierce dedication. Giving Bernthal the creative reins to bring his vision of Frank Castle to The Punisher Special is a massive, and hopefully brilliant, gamble. It shows a willingness to listen to the people who understand these characters best. If this special delivers on its promise, it could be a major turning point for the MCU, proving that there’s still room for dark, character-driven stories in a universe filled with quips and CGI battles. Get ready to be punished, folks.