Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again.
One of the strangest team-ups in theMCUhas been teased in the epic finale ofDaredevil: Born Again, and there’s one clear place that Marvel Studios can bring this partnership to life.Daredevil: Born Againseason 1 came to an intense and open-ended conclusion on April 15, ending with episode 9, “Straight to Hell,” which saw Mayor Wilson Fisk enact his game-changing “Safer Streets” initiative. This puts allNew York-based vigilantes in Kingpin’s firing line, including two that were seen together for the first time inBorn Again’sfinale.
Daredevil: Born Againseason 1’s finale perfectly wrapped up the slow-burning, more-grounded narrative of the revival series' first season, and set up an intense and exciting new story forDaredevil: Born Againseason 2and beyond. This new plot will likely impact other MCU projects, too, such as the upcomingThunderbolts*, Spider-Man: Brand New Dayand perhaps even thePunisher’s upcoming Special Presentation.It was fantastic to see Jon Bernthal’s Punisher return inDaredevil: Born Again, and his upcoming spinoff might have just received an unexpected addition.
Daredevil: Born Again’s Finale Set Up The Punisher’s Upcoming Special Presentation
Jon Bernthal Is Reprising The Role Of The Punisher In 2026
Jon Bernthal first appeared asFrank Castle, the mass-murdering vigilante known as the Punisher, in 2016’sDaredevilseason 2 on Netflix, part of the Defenders Saga, which was recently confirmed to be canon to the MCU. This allowed Bernthal to reprise his beloved and celebrated role inDaredevil: Born Again, first in episode 4, “Sic Semper Systema,” and later in the season finale.Daredevil: Born Againended with Frank Castle taking on the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, corrupt NYPD officers who have co-opted his skull insignia, but he didn’t escape unscathed.
After taking down manymembers of the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, Frank Castle was imprisoned in Wilson Fisk’s facility in the Red Hook free port.He was the only prisoner who was actually chained up, but this didn’t stop him from tricking AVTF officer Anthony Petruccio, giving him the means to escape from captivity. This story will surely be continued in the Punisher’s Special Presentation, which is expected to release in 2026, but Frank Castle might not be alone in this project if it picks up immediately afterDaredevil: Born Again.
The Punisher’s Special Presentation Needs To Include This Surprising MCU Vigilante
Frank Castle Wasn’t Alone In Kingpin’s Prison In Daredevil: Born Again
Frank Castle might have been the most dangerous resident of Wilson Fisk’s prison inDaredevil: Born Again’sfinale, and perhaps the Kingpin’s proudest bag, but he wasn’t the only vigilante seen caged. There were several other individuals in Kingpin’s prison, presumably including political rivals, vocal opponents and the like, but one inclusion was far more interesting.Tony Dalton reprised hisHawkeyerole of Jack DuquesneinDaredevil: Born Again, andthe Swordsman, who became a vigilante in his own right, was another notable prisoner inBorn Again’sfinale.
Daredevil: Born Again’spost-credits sceneteased Frank Castle escaping from captivity, and it would make sense that he would free other prisoners, too. This means thatMarvel could be setting up a partnership between the Punisher and the Swordsman in the former’s upcoming Special Presentation. I don’t think this team-up was on anyone’s bingo card, but this unexpected partnership could actually be great for both characters, and for the ever-evolving street-level story of the MCU. Currently, however, Tony Dalton hasn’t been confirmed for the Punisher’s spinoff.
Partnering The Punisher & Swordsman Would Benefit Both MCU Characters
Image via Disney+
Daredevil: Born Againseason 1 ended with Mayor Wilson Fisk declaring that New York City is under martial law, with vigilantism being outlawed across the city. This will impact a huge number of the MCU’s heroes, as New York is something of a hub of superhero activity, and this includes the likes of grounded vigilantes such as the Punisher and the Swordsman. Bringing them together in the Punisher’s upcoming spinoff would be a great way to continueBorn Againseason 1’s narrative and explore Kingpin’s new empire in more detail, but this could also benefit the characters themselves.
Daredevil: Born Againseason 1 ended with the set-up of a direct adaptation of Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignevent from 2021, which saw Mayor Wilson Fisk outlaw vigilantism in New York City and establish villainous Thunderbolts units to act as his enforcers.
While Frank Castle saw a great deal of development inNetflix’sThe Punisherseries, Jack Duquesne deserves far more attention in the MCU. Since there has been no sign ofHawkeyeseason 2 being developed just yet,it would be brilliant to see the Swordsman return in other street-level projects, and the Punisher’s Special Presentation would be a great option. Given Tony Dalton’s repetitive appearances inDaredevil: Born Againso far, it seems likely he’ll return in season 2, and this could be alongside Jon Bernthal’s Punisher as a new crime-fighting MCU duo.
