We’re still quite a while away from seeing Jon Bernthal’s version of The Punisher go solo in his own show, but the cast of that now-official Netflix series is reportedly being assembled.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian star Ben Barnes is reported to be the first actor to join Bernthal in the upcoming The Punisher series, which has yet to begin production or receive an official premiere date. The series will be the sixth show to come out of the partnership between Netflix and Marvel Studios, following Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders.
Officially given the green light in April, The Punisher will bring back Bernthal as Frank Castle, the gun-toting vigilante introduced in the second season of Daredevil.
According to TV Line, Barnes will be a series regular opposite Bernthal, and is rumored to be playing Bobby Saint, a crime boss who appeared in the 2004 film The Punisher. The character, who only played a brief role in the film, was originally portrayed by James Carpinello. The character was created for the movie, so there isn’t any comic-book reference for the role.
Hannibal and Narcos writer Steve Lightfoot will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Although the show is expected to debut on the streaming video service after The Defenders, Bernthal’s character could very well make an appearance in that crossover miniseries as well.
Along with playing the title role in Prince Caspian and reprising the role for that film’s sequel, 2010’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Barnes will also appear in the upcoming HBO series Westworld.
