2026 ‘Punisher’ Special Finally Unmasks Its Villain Thanks To Set Leaks

Marvel fans finally have a big clue about who Frank Castle will be facing in the upcoming Punisher special presentation for Disney+, and it comes thanks to a juicy set leak.

The untitled Punisher special is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Green alongside Jon Bernthal, who returns as the ruthless vigilante after his recent appearance in Daredevil: Born Again.

The project will be Marvel Studios’ third Special Presentation in the MCU, and it’s expected to deliver a darker, grittier story than most Marvel fans are used to. Filming kicked off in New York City this July under the working title Jolly Roger, and that’s where fans got their first major hint about the villain.

Recent set photos, shared online by onlookers, show signs for Gnucci’s Family Restaurant , a nod to the infamous Gnucci crime family from the comics. This has led many to believe that Ma Gnucci, one of Punisher’s most brutal enemies, will be in the special.

Adding fuel to the fire, Chloe Sevigny has been spotted near the set, sparking speculation that she could be the one playing the sadistic mob boss. While Marvel hasn’t confirmed her casting, the clues are lining up in a big way.

Looks like Chloe Sevigny COULD be the actress portraying Ma Gnucci in 'THE PUNISHER' special presentation. pic.twitter.com/tN3mkjzHwd

— Warling (@WarlingHD) August 3, 2025

Bernthal has been vocal about wanting to bring the most authentic version of Frank Castle to the MCU. “It’s the visceral, psychologically complex, unforgiving, no-holds-barred version of Frank,” he said during production. “Nothing is easy and all violence has a cost, and we’re going to see that cost.”

He also made it clear this will not be a watered-down version of the character, promising it won’t be “Punisher-lite.”

Marvel Studios producer Brad Winderbaum described the tone as “a shotgun blast of a story” while still delivering deep emotional beats. He said the story will explore the way Castle’s pain and thirst for revenge shape his violent approach to justice. This focus on both the brutality and the psychology of the character is exactly what longtime Punisher fans have been asking for.

The cast also features Jason R. Moore reprising his role as Curtis Hoyle, Frank’s loyal friend and confidant, as well as Roe Rancell in an undisclosed role. Behind the scenes, Bernthal brought back former Marine Raider Nick Koumalatsos as a consultant to ensure the combat scenes are as realistic as possible.

Production has been spotted across New York, including Jamaica Avenue in Queens and near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. The Gnucci family references in the set design only make the Ma Gnucci rumors stronger.

In the comics, Ma Gnucci is a vicious mob matriarch who becomes one of Castle’s most notorious enemies, and her presence would make for a violent, high-stakes showdown.

The Punisher special is set for release in 2026 as part of Marvel’s Phase Six. If the leaks are accurate and Chloe Sevigny truly is playing Ma Gnucci, Frank Castle could be heading for one of the bloodiest battles the MCU has seen yet.

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