The Punisher Netflix Series Not Happening?

Back in June, just a few months after the first season ofMarvel’s Daredevildebuted, Netflix and Marvel announced thatThe Walking DeadstarJon Bernthalhad signed on to play Frank Castle, a.k.a.The PunisherinSeason 2of the hit series. Just one month later, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos teased the possibility of aPunisherspinoff series or even a movie. However, during a new interview withDigital Spy,MarvelTV presidentJeph Loebshot down rumors of this spinoff’s development.

“I think that’s something that people are speculating on, as opposed to something that’s actually happening. It’s certainly our hope that any of our characters will be embraced and that people want to see more of them.”

Back in January, another report claimed thatNetflixwas reportedly “very close” to announcing The Punisher spinoff series, but we haven’t heard anything official about the potential series since then.Jon Bernthalwas said to return as the title character, if the spinoff did move forward, in what would have been Netflix’s 6th superhero series, followingMarvel’s Daredevil, which is getting ready to debut its second season.Marvel’s Jessica Jonesdebuted back in November, withMarvel’s Luke CageandMarvel’s Iron Fistslated to arrive later this year. All of these characters will come together in the epic miniseries eventThe Defenders. When asked about the lack of awards-season praise forMarvel’s DaredevilandMarvel’s Jessica Jones,Jeph Loebsaid they’re only trying to tell good stories, adding that he was “surprised” thatMarvel’s Jessica Joneswasrenewedfor a second season.

“What we’re really trying to do is to tell the best stories that we can,” he said. “For us, the greatest award was when Netflix called and said, ‘We’d like to do another season with you.’ When they announced that Jessica Jones was getting a second season, every single report said, ‘It should come as a surprise to no one that Jessica Jones has received a second season order’. I’m the guy going, ‘Well, it was a surprise to me!’ It isn’t a given in television. The fact that we get to continue telling stories with these characters speaks a lot about the quality of the storytelling and the acting and the writing. We are telling the best stories that we can at Netflix, and they seem to be responding to it.”

Of course, if The Punisher does prove to be a beloved character on this season ofMarvel’s Daredevil, it’s certainly possible that a spinoff could be ordered, but as of now, it seems nothing is in development. The studio re-acquired The Punisher rights back in 2013, along withBlade,Ghost Riderand Daredevil. Now that he’s back in the MCU, do you think The Punisher deserves his own series or possibly even a movie?