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I got the sense that there was something wrong with me the day I realized I enjoyed watching Spider-Man get antagonized by grumpy middle-aged men. But maybe I'm actually okay after all, since Jon Bernthal has joined the cast of the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth of the Tom Holland Spidey films. Marvel Studios, at least, shares my vision. 

As The Hollywood Reporter writes, Bernthal is reprising his role as Frank Castle/The Punisher in Brand New Day, returning to the troubled vigilante after he (re-)appeared in Daredevil: Born Again this spring. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to be directed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings captain Destin Daniel Cretton, and will be released July 31, 2026.  

Fans of The Punisher's comics will know that the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru. The issue's iconic cover by Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. shows off Frank Castle's guns (literally) with the text, "HIS ASSIGNMENT: KILL SPIDER-MAN!" which I would argue would fit in hilariously with Tom Holland's college-age Peter Parker. Now I'm imagining Jon Bernthal's Punisher in a 21 Jump Street situation and it's giving me a chuckle. 

Bernthal is joining Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, who are back as MJ and Ned, respectively. Sadie Sink has also been cast in a mystery role, which many fans are speculating is going to be Jean Grey. Personally? Every time someone gets cast "in a mystery role" in a Spider-Man movie, I just guess "Big Wheel." If James Gunn could make the Guardians of the Galaxy into household names, then why can't Big Wheel reap the benefits of the public eye too?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be out July 31, 2026. 

Marvel's most reliable superhero has proven he can do a whole lot more than just 'whatever a spider can.' Swing into Spidey's history with Popverse's 10 best Spider-Man comic books, our Spider-Man movie watch order, and if you want our opinions on the subject, read our articles ranking Spider-Man's actors and Spider-Man's girlfriends.