It's been so far, so good with Marvel's Netflix series, as Daredevil has a huge Season 2 last spring, and Jessica Jones was a hit in the fall of last year. It looks like there is a new season of a Marvel Netflix series every six months, but this has to change just to meet fan demand. In one month, Luke Cage will premiere on Netflix, and it looks like Iron Fist will be next along with The Defenders. So what about The Punisher? Here's what is known about Marvel's Netflix series with their release dates and news.
Considering that Iron Fist has at least had a trailer at Comic-Con, it showed a little bit of footage. So far, it shows Daniel Rand, played by Finn Jones, as he is saved from a plane crash, and then given the power to punch through walls. So it is more of a teaser rather than an extended commercial.
Comic-Con also had a trailer for The Defenders, which was literally nothing but letters and logos. There is word that is being filmed, so it might even be done with it. Both Iron Fist and The Defenders will be showing up in 2017, Iron Fist in the spring and The Defenders in the Fall.
However, there is one show that is hardly being talked about in the Marvel Netflix universe, and that is The Punisher. Jon Bernthal played this iconic vigilante character on Daredevil Season 2, and after three movies with three different actors, the antihero is played with just as much menace as sympathy.
Even in the comics, The Punisher is kind of an odd man out in the Marvel Universe. He's not like The Avengers, accepted by most of the public, or the X-Men, who are feared by most humans. He is a guy that hunts down and kills criminals, and a series could explore the dark side of him like the many seasons of Dexter. Can Marvel and Netflix do their series once every four months, or three months?
Who knows if The Punisher will even appear in The Defenders with the rest of the heroes? The set-up with Frank Castle (The Punisher's real name) obtaining a lot of weapons and blowing up his old family home. Personally, it would be good to actually see the horrific day when Frank Castle lost his family during a mob shootout. It was something that was only told, but more sympathy would be gained by seeing this event happening.
So far, The Punisher only has the placeholder the you see here. Next up for Marvel and Netflix is Luke Cage on September 30, and this character was properly introduced on Jessica Jones. So far, Daredevil and Jessica Jones have had very little tie-ins, except with the "Night Nurse" (played by Rosario Dawson). Carrie Anne-Moss has shown up briefly on Daredevil Season 2, but it feels like the story elements for a big team up on The Defenders are loose threads at best.
