Oy Vey! Give it Up Already! A 4th 'Punisher' Movie is Being Made - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-25-2010, 11:14 AM

I think the biggest news of the Marvel Studios panel tonight is that The Punisher is now owned by Marvel Studios again, and will probably figure into a future film. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige did not say when the Punisher rights reverted, or how. Just that they have. So who is The Punisher? In the comics, Frank Castle is a Vietnam veteran whose family is killed in a Mafia crossfire. Donning a black spandex costume with a skull logo, he declares war on crime and becomes a vigilante. Introduced as a Spider-Man foe in the 1970s, his popularity took off in the late 1980s, when grim and “realistic” superheroes became the norm. The Punisher is different from many superheroes in that he uses guns and has no secret identity. (He is known to be Frank Castle.) On film, he has been portrayed three times.

In 1989, Roger Corman's New World made a movie starring Dolph Lundgren as the Punisher. He did not have the traditional costume or skull logo, but the role was a departure for Lundgren, who played the character as deranged. Initially set for a theatrical release, it wound up going direct to video, despite the character's popularity at the time.

In 2004, with Marvel movies on the rise, The Punisher was rebooted with Thomas Jane in the lead. Jane, who is a comic book fan, and well-liked by other fans, researched the role heavily, hanging out at gun shows. John Travolta played villain Howard Saint. Though many fans liked Jane's portrayal, the movie was still goofy and overlong, and the costume consisted mainly of a T-shirt with the skull on it.

In 2008, a sequel of sorts was made. Jane bowed out, and director Lexi Alexander was rumored to have lost control. Nonetheless, this was my favorite Punisher movie by far, with Ray Stevenson playing him as a slasher villain with guns, who defends against even worse villains. He didn't quite get the costume, but the skull logo was still there. The movie bombed, despite being the truest adaptation to date.

While the last two were released by Lionsgate, the Punisher is fair game for future Marvel universe movies. This means you likely won't see him as a Spider-Man foe (Sony has those rights). But you could see him fighting, say, the Hulk.

Chances are it won't be Ray Stevenson who plays him again, even though he's good and would likely come cheap.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/now-...er/#more-56466

JamesG · 07-25-2010, 11:18 AM

In my opinion, The Punisher has yet to have an overall decent adaptation.

My favorite of the three goes to Jane's 2004 film.

PlayOn · 07-25-2010, 03:33 PM

I barely remember hearing about the 2nd and didn't know their was a 3rd.

catlover79 · 07-25-2010, 08:42 PM

I think the viewers are the ones being punished!!!

TJL · 07-25-2010, 09:41 PM

Bring back Dolph, or forget it!

07-25-2010, 11:14 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Oy Vey! Give it Up Already! A 4th 'Punisher' Movie is Being Made I think the biggest news of the Marvel Studios panel tonight is that The Punisher is now owned by Marvel Studios again, and will probably figure into a future film. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige did not say when the Punisher rights reverted, or how. Just that they have. So who is The Punisher? In the comics, Frank Castle is a Vietnam veteran whose family is killed in a Mafia crossfire. Donning a black spandex costume with a skull logo, he declares war on crime and becomes a vigilante. Introduced as a Spider-Man foe in the 1970s, his popularity took off in the late 1980s, when grim and “realistic” superheroes became the norm. The Punisher is different from many superheroes in that he uses guns and has no secret identity. (He is known to be Frank Castle.) On film, he has been portrayed three times. In 1989, Roger Corman's New World made a movie starring Dolph Lundgren as the Punisher. He did not have the traditional costume or skull logo, but the role was a departure for Lundgren, who played the character as deranged. Initially set for a theatrical release, it wound up going direct to video, despite the character's popularity at the time. In 2004, with Marvel movies on the rise, The Punisher was rebooted with Thomas Jane in the lead. Jane, who is a comic book fan, and well-liked by other fans, researched the role heavily, hanging out at gun shows. John Travolta played villain Howard Saint. Though many fans liked Jane's portrayal, the movie was still goofy and overlong, and the costume consisted mainly of a T-shirt with the skull on it. In 2008, a sequel of sorts was made. Jane bowed out, and director Lexi Alexander was rumored to have lost control. Nonetheless, this was my favorite Punisher movie by far, with Ray Stevenson playing him as a slasher villain with guns, who defends against even worse villains. He didn't quite get the costume, but the skull logo was still there. The movie bombed, despite being the truest adaptation to date. While the last two were released by Lionsgate, the Punisher is fair game for future Marvel universe movies. This means you likely won't see him as a Spider-Man foe (Sony has those rights). But you could see him fighting, say, the Hulk. Chances are it won't be Ray Stevenson who plays him again, even though he's good and would likely come cheap. http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/now-...er/#more-56466 Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-25-2010, 03:33 PM	#3
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	I barely remember hearing about the 2nd and didn't know their was a 3rd.
	__________________ Have you heard the ? Jesus saves!!!

07-25-2010, 08:42 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I think the viewers are the ones being punished!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-25-2010, 09:41 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Bring back Dolph, or forget it!
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

07-25-2010, 11:18 AM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	In my opinion, The Punisher has yet to have an overall decent adaptation. My favorite of the three goes to Jane's 2004 film.