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Jeph Loeb On Why The Punisher Isn't A Member Of The Defenders


Marvel Netflix's heroes will be coming together next month in The Defenders, but a lot of people are curious as to why Jon Bernthal's Punisher isn't part of the group. The Punisher is just as (if not, even more) popular than the rest of the members of the Defenders, so what gives?

As it turns out, Marvel TV thinks the Punisher doesn't do so well with others story-wise. Jeph Loeb told Collider:

"I don't know. We haven't gotten to that place, I don't know if there will be a Defenders [season] 2. I think one of the things that is unique to The Punisher, and particularly to Jon Bernthal's performance, is that the character can stand alone. Even in the comic books, Frank Castle's Punisher is a character that sort of does well by himself. I think that when you start mixing [his character with others], it feels a little off. I'm not saying that it couldn't happen and I'm not saying that it wouldn't happen, I'm just saying [The Punisher] doesn't immediately lend itself toward, ‘yea, I can see The Punisher and Luke Cage hanging out!'"

The Punisher was first introduced in the second season of Daredevil and a lot of people have considered Jon Bernthal's portrayal of the character as a definite show-stopper. Personally, once Frank Castle was out of the picture, I found myself getting annoyed with Daredevil and his arc with Elektra. Everyone liked this new Punisher so much that Netflix is giving us his own spinoff series sometime later this year.

Though it has been confirmed that Punisher will be making an appearance in The Defenders, I'm not really looking for him to be part of the team. I guess that's just really what makes the Punisher unique and intriguing. He doesn't play well with others, and he likes it that way.

The Defenders comes out Aug. 18, but Punisher's solo series is expected to air in November.

See Also: Mike Colter Discusses Luke Cage And Jessica Jones Romance In The Defenders

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