Jon Bernthal is ready to bring his fierce brand of vigilante justice to the big screen — this time in the Spider-Verse.

Bernthal, best known for portraying Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, in Marvel’s Daredevil and his own Netflix spin-off, has officially joined Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The upcoming Sony and Marvel collaboration, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, is set to begin filming in England this summer, with a theatrical release date of July 31, 2026.

Plot details for Brand New Day remain tightly under wraps, but the inclusion of the Punisher hints at a grittier, street-level angle for Peter Parker’s next adventure. In the comics, the Punisher operates far from the cosmic threats and high-tech suits that Spider-Man often faces—instead, he brings a brutal approach to dealing with crime using fists, knives, and an arsenal of weapons. Whether this means a potential team-up or a clash with Spidey (or even the rumoured Hulks and symbiotes) remains to be seen.

Returning cast members Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will reprise their fan-favourite roles as MJ and Ned, though their screen time in this new chapter is still a mystery. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink has also joined the cast in an undisclosed role, fueling fan theories about who she might portray in the Spider-Man universe.

Bernthal’s return as the Punisher is part of Marvel’s renewed push for the character. He recently reprised his role for Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ and is also co-writing a stand-alone Punisher film. Notably, Bernthal has insisted on preserving the Punisher’s dark, R-rated tone, raising questions about how his gritty style will mesh with the generally more family-friendly vibe of Spider-Man movies.

Interestingly, Bernthal and Holland share a bit of Marvel audition history. While filming the 2017 period film Pilgrimage, the two actors helped each other prepare audition tapes for their respective Marvel roles—a connection that has now come full circle on the big screen.

Outside the MCU, Bernthal’s recent projects include starring alongside Ben Affleck in The Accountant 2 and appearing in The Amateur opposite Rami Malek.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theatres on July 31, 2026.