Is Jon Bernthal's Punisher The Villain In Daredevil: Born Again

While it's been confirmed that Jon Bernthal will be reprising his role as The Punisher in Marvel Studios' upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series, it's unclear if Frank Castle will be a friend or foe to Charlie Cox's Matthew Murdock. Having debuted in Netflix's Daredevil season 2, The Punisher is presented as one of the deadliest vigilantes in the entire Marvel Universe, just as he is in the original comics. As such, his relationship with Daredevil is just as contentious and complicated in the Netflix show as it is on the page.

Although the news that Bernthal will be returning as The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again is exciting, it's unclear if his prior relationship and history with Daredevil will be canon in the new MCU show. The same goes for Daredevil's Netflix history beyond his role in the MCU's Spider-Man: No Way Home and appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, as well Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin beyond his role in Hawkeye as the show's big bad. However, it would certainly be exciting to see Punisher and Daredevil picking up where they left off after Daredevil season 2 (rather than starting from scratch).

Punisher's Netflix Relationship With Daredevil Explained

jon bernthal as the punisher and charlie cox as daredevil in mcu art

Beginning his crusade to avenge his murdered family by going after the gangs involved in the massacre, Frank Castle's Punisher became a one-man army against the Kitchen Irish, Dogs of Hell, and Mexican Cartel. As such, his lethal methods put him in direct conflict with Daredevil, who can't abide by his multiple acts of murder. However, Murdock is eventually beaten and chained by Castle, allowing the two vigilantes to have a major debate about their differing tactics. While Daredevil condemns Punisher for turning New York into his personal shooting gallery, Castle is just as exasperated with Murdock for treating the city like a playground and offering no lasting justice.

However, both vigilantes were in agreement that neither would ever be able to stop their respective crusades. After Castle is captured and tortured by the retaliating Kitchen Irish, Daredevil and Punisher worked together to escape, with Murdock learning even more about Castle's tragic backstory. This leads to Castle's arrest, with Nelson & Murdock agreeing to represent him in court. However, Frank ends up pleading guilty after learning that Wilson Fisk had information about those who killed his family. During his incarceration, Punisher learns about the Blacksmith and is also aided in his escape from Ryker's thanks to Kingpin, who wanted Castle set loose on New York to eliminate his rivals.

Will Punisher and Daredevil Team Up In Born Again?

While this wasn't exactly an ongoing alliance with Kingpin, The Punisher and Fisk still came to an understanding which allowed Castle to kill even more criminals in his crusade. That being said, Castle still comes to Daredevil's aid after killing Blacksmith and his official transformation into Punisher. Having owed Daredevil for saving his life, Castle does assist Murdock in his battle with the ninja cult known as the Hand, taking out a handful of ninjas from a nearby rooftop before leaving and promising he'd be seeing Daredevil again.

While they could certainly become allies in Daredevil: Born Again following The Punisher's spin-off Netflix series, there's no doubt that a Punisher/Daredevil team-up would come with its fair share of challenges. Additionally, it is doubtful that Punisher would be a direct foe after all they've been through, with Castle probably having enough honor to not try and kill the man who saved his life and tried to help him in court. Likewise, it's unlikely he'd outright work for Kingpin either. With any luck, Daredevil: Born Again will hopefully see Daredevil and The Punisher joining forces to bring Kingpin down, with Castle agreeing to temper his more lethal tendencies (albeit temporarily).

More: Punisher's Daredevil: Born Again Return Pays Off 7-Year-Old MCU Tease