July 22, 2007 | by Kane 

Titus Pullo To Play Punisher?

rstevenson.jpgIn the lead-up to next weekend’s San Diego Comic Con – where the news will most likely be made official – it has been reported that Rome star Ray Stevenson is set to fill the title role of Frank Castle in the sequel to 2004’s The Punisher. Stevenson, who played a lead role of Titus Pullo in the HBO series, follows in the footsteps of Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane as the Marvel vigilante who has so far failed to catch on with cinema audiences.

The news comes just months after Thomas Jane announced he would not be returning to the franchise, having lost faith in the production despite years of personal preparation.


In a letter posted on AICN back in May, Jane stated:

“Punisher fans are already fighting an uphill battle as it is. And I’ve always felt a responsibility to fight that fight for them and with them so that Frank Castle gets the treatment he deserves…. What I won’t do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don’t believe in. I’ve always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well.”

So will The Punisher 2 fail once again in the eyes of fans or will it be third time the charm? Only time will tell, of course, but – as a new fan of Rome – I can definitely vouch for the fact Stevenson knows how to switch from a sympathetic and wounded man to an aggressive killer. However, therein lies the catch. Could this typecasting simply be a sign that the studio is playing it safe to avoid any further disaster?

While I quite enjoyed the previous film, it certainly lacked the edge required by its subject matter and the continued development problems do little to offer much hope for a genuine continuation of the series. Perhaps – like next year’s The Incredible Hulk – the film would do better to distance itself from the 2004 film altogether and start afresh. Again.

Source: LatinoReview

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  • Hmmm... I was thinking more of a Punisher series that embraces its origins rather than trying to reinvent it and give it a name change. I mean, I don't think of 'Smallville' as a Superman TV series - I see it as a reasonably interesting Superman offshoot that only works because of how well-known the original character is. Superman is about a reporter with dual identities, his love of Lois Lane, the city of Metropolis, yada, yada, yada. 'Smallville' is a totally different beast, for the most part.

    As for the 'Punisher' sequel's location, i heard it WILL be set in New York.
  • Alcadyzaar
    It worked for Smallville...

    Of course, Superman is probably the most well known comic character of all time. Punisher is what? 28th? 30th?

    You can add Superman or Bat-man, or Spider-Man, or X-men to anything and it would sell becasue they are KNOWN. People who loved the Punisher film (I don't count Dolph's version. I'd rather imagine it didn't exist actually) were moderate fans (heard of him, maybe read one or two comics, etc). The hardcore fans probably wouldn't have loved it, and the people who didn't know, didn't see it, or if they did, it didn't mean anythig to them.

    Do a TV series to the tune of the Punisher storyline, yes. Re-tell it all and even elaborate. Name it "Castle". The thing with this story... only a fraction of viewers will know "Punisher". Start it over. I'd think it would almost be like re-invinting the wheel, but oh, what a wheel it could be.
  • Shane
    I think they need to change the location of the movie. Punisher in the books is set in New York. Miami (I think it was set here) as the backdrop just felt wrong. I hadn't thought of a TV series, that would be cool.
  • Zachary
    To be all honest here. I am just happy that there might be another Punisher film in development. I kinda figured after the first one. (Which personally loved for some odd reason.) There wouldn't be another film made. But this gives me high hopes and even though it will be a different actor portraying Frank Castle. I am sure he will step up the plate.
  • Adrian
    Kane,
    I totally agree with both of those suggestion. The Punisher easily is a character that would make a very entertain television series on the levels of "The Shield" or maybe "Band of Brothers". The "Blade" series was done horribly, the Punisher series would have deep. I very much dislike that Liongate owning this character because of their track record. Hopeing he'll be brought back home to Marvel.
  • matt3046
    that will be so awesome, Rome just blew me away I was left wanting more, at the end. But it was great he and the other guy. were awesome. The one episode were thay fought like 20 gladiators, was too cool.
    He was awesome in that King Aurthur movie too.
  • Agreed... though I don't follow the comics at all. I'm what you'd call a 'lazy comic book fan' - I just watch film and cartoon adaptations. As such, I know extremely little of The Punisher.

    I think, just as comics have different arcs and different writers/artists, this needs to be a stand alone film if it's to avoid coming off as a straight-to-DVD sequel.

    If they call it 'The Punisher 2', they might as well pack up and cancel the project now.

    Meanwhile, is it just me... or would this franchise work far better as a gritty television series? They really need to tap into the TV market for some of these comics, I think. I wonder if HBO's 'Preacher' is still in the pipeline...
  • adrian
    Great read. Not a bad pick for Frank Castle, but the franchise needs a strong sequel that reflects the Punisher's true persona.
  • Why, thank you. I try. ;o)
  • Vic
    "...follows in the footsteps of Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane as the Marvel vigilante who has so far failed to catch on with cinema audiences."

    LOL, what a GREAT line. :-)

    Vic
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