The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an ever expanding place, with new blockbuster sequels being released every few months. But there's also small screen adventures, the best of which are produced over at Netflix. After this summer's release of The Defenders, Netflix subscribers looked ahead to Jon Bernthal's Punisher spinoff. And while its release date was a mystery, it was expected to arrive before the end of 2017. But now it looks like it may have been pushed back in response to the recent tragedy in Las Vegas.
NewsDay broke the news, revealing that Netflix is reportedly postponing the special release of The Punisher. Due to the title character's use of guns and explosives, the streaming service no doubt felt it inappropriate to release the new series in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre. The imagery is promised to be rather visceral, and potential viewers may have a difficult time getting through those sequences. It's currently unclear when The Punisher will arrive in Netflix.
Netflix and Marvel have already been very sensitive to the The Punisher's imagery, cancelling the show's appearance at Comic-Con and its accompanying press opportunities. And since the series never revealed a release date, Netflix has some flexibility in regards to when it will finally be available. This isn't the first new release that has been changed in the wake of the Las Vegas tragedy. The red carpet of Blade Runner 2049's premiere was also cancelled, as the ceremony was deemed inappropriate in this time of mourning.
The Punisher is a Marvel fan favorite character who is a brutal vigilante. An experienced Veteran with nothing to lose, Frank Castle focuses on taking down various figures in organized crime, by any means necessary. This includes kidnapping, murder, and the use of deadly weapons. Unlike most Marvel heroes who take down their enemies with their fists, Punisher kills his targets with bullets, explosions, and precision.
The character made its MCU debut during Season 2 of Netflix's Daredevil. The Punisher's plotline and Jon Bernthal's performance were immediately applauded by critics and fans alike. This eventually convinced Netflix to give the character his own spinoff, with both Bernthal and Deborah Ann Woll's Karen Page returning for the new series. The Punisher will be the first Marvel/Netflix spinoff, as well as the first show that won't feature Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple.
Netflix hasn't released a concrete release schedule for its future seasons, so it looks like they'll be able to adjust when each new release arrives on the streaming service. After The Punisher, we should expect Season 2 of Jessica Jones, followed by Luke Cage's second solo adventure.
Check back with us here at CinemaBlend for updates on The Punisher as they come in. In the meantime, check out our fall premiere list to plan your next binge watch.
