The reunion of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil is no mere coincidence; their previous electrifying performance in “Daredevil” season 2 laid the groundwork for this collaboration. Initially adversaries, these Marvel icons eventually formed an alliance. Their synergy on screen fuelled speculation that they’d be paired up again, especially following the acclaim of the Punisher’s introduction and Daredevil’s enduring popularity. As Bernthal stepped into the limelight with “The Punisher” spinoff, Marvel Studios set the stage for another thrilling rendezvous in “Daredevil: Born Again” – a grand callback to a significant hint from Netflix.
Punisher’s Return: Rekindling an Anticipated Daredevil Alliance
“Daredevil: Born Again” doesn’t merely signify Punisher’s reappearance but fulfills the long-awaited promise made during their last meeting in “Daredevil” season 2. After the Punisher’s instrumental role against ‘The Hand’ and safeguarding Daredevil, Frank Castle’s parting words, “See you around, Red,” reverberated with promise. Remarkably, this line’s delivery coincided almost precisely with the announcement of Bernthal’s comeback, seven years later. This reunion was hinted at by Netflix, suggesting another adventure with these two protagonists. Although their dynamic may shift in “Daredevil: Born Again”, portraying them as variants, it’s intriguing that Netflix, despite releasing “Daredevil” season 3, two Punisher seasons, and “The Defenders” crossover after that teaser, never reignited this team-up. This prior omission ensures “Daredevil: Born Again” stands out as the only sequel where Bernthal and Cox synergise.
Speculations on Punisher’s Role in “Daredevil: Born Again”
Details about Punisher’s participation in “Daredevil: Born Again” remain under wraps. Sources suggest Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, is on a quest for Frank in “Echo”, the precursor to “Daredevil: Born Again” and a spinoff from “Hawkeye”. This plot thread implies their reunion in the MCU isn’t accidental; a bigger narrative weaves them back together, quashing the idea of Punisher playing the antagonist in “Daredevil: Born Again”. It seems the narrative might focus on their joint efforts against Kingpin. Punisher’s past encounters with mob lord Wilson Fisk, who once envisioned him as a tool to decimate rival gangs in New York, may play a pivotal role. Should “Daredevil: Born Again” explore the arc where Fisk ascends as New York’s mayor, it might necessitate both Punisher and Daredevil joining forces for a final showdown.
