We’ve had 4 live-action versions of The Punisher from 1989, 2004, 2008, and around 2016 in Daredevil Season 2, as well as the spin-off Netflix series The Punisher in 2017. I think it is time to give these versions of Frank Castle a rating.
This ranked list will go from worst to best.
4. Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren was the first actor to take up the “mantle” of Frank Castle in live-action. I put mantle in quotes because while he was named Frank Castle and portrayed The Punisher. Everything about his film was wrong. It was a typical 80s action movie, which changed some things about Frank and how his character works. We see Dolph’s version of the Punisher actually work with the guy who killed his family and then kill him. Frank would not do that.
3. Ray Stevenson
Do not get me wrong, I actually somewhat enjoy this version of the character, but the overall film is a letdown. The story was boring and forgettable. While Stevenson’s version of the character did regain some characteristics of the Punisher, this version did not do enough to break into the top 2 of my ranked list.
2. Thomas Jane
Thomas Jane is my favorite film version of the character but not my favorite live-action Frank Castle anymore, and quite frankly, he hasn’t been my favorite since Jon Bernthal was cast as the character. Thomas starred in the film for The Punisher that I can watch religiously and not get bored. Jane’s version of the character did have the best origin of the film, but even then it was changed from what we had in the comics, which makes Frank what he is.
1. Jon Bernthal
Without a doubt, this is the best casting. This is the most brutal and bloodiest version of the character. Jon brought something different to this role. When we see the Punisher on screen, it doesn’t matter, he will kill the villains. The scene between Punisher and Daredevil on the rooftop in the Netflix series is what truly cemented this placement for me. I’m looking forward to seeing more of The Punisher going forward.
