‘The Punisher’ Set Leaks Tease Comeback of Key Marvel Netflix Character
Marvel fans just got a big surprise from the set of the upcoming Punisher special. New behind-the-scenes videos have surfaced online, showing Jon Bernthal back in action as Frank Castle, and he’s not alone. Curtis Hoyle, one of Castle’s closest allies from the old Netflix Punisher series, is officially back, played again by Jason R. Moore.
The new Marvel Studios project, titled The Punisher 2026 Special Presentation, started filming on July 17 in New York City.
It’s being directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who also co-wrote the script with Bernthal. The two previously worked together on HBO’s We Own This City. According to Marvel, the special will drop on Disney+ sometime in 2026.
The set photos, which first showed up on a Jon Bernthal fan page on Instagram, show Castle and Hoyle walking together in New York. It looks like the story picks up after the events of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. In that show, Mayor Wilson Fisk has taken control of the city and declared martial law, making Castle a wanted man once again.
Curtis Hoyle was one of the most loyal characters in the original Punisher series on Netflix. He was a former Navy medic and one of the few people Frank truly trusted. He helped run a support group for veterans and was always trying to help Frank deal with his pain. Even after nearly getting killed by Billy Russo, Hoyle stood by Castle and encouraged him to seek therapy. His return suggests we’ll see that bond continue, even if things have gotten darker.
This will be Hoyle’s first time appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the Netflix shows were never officially part of it. But with more characters now crossing over from those series, Marvel seems to be fully blending those stories into the Disney+ timeline.
The special is expected to follow Castle as he hides from Fisk’s new anti-vigilante task force. He’s not just running, though, there are also rumors he’ll be facing off against Ma Gnucci, a brutal crime boss from the comics.
So far, Marvel hasn’t said much more about the plot or who else might return. But the fact that Hoyle is back is a big deal for longtime fans. His quiet reunion with Castle on the street hints that he’ll be helping him once again, even if things are more dangerous than ever.
Marvel confirmed the project in early 2025, and with production already underway, more surprises are likely on the way. Until then, fans can look forward to Castle’s return, and this time, he’s not alone.