The Punisher Might Never Join The Defenders

While all the other Marvel superheroes on Netflix will learn to play nicely and team up for The Defenders, it sounds like the Punisher might never become a member.

Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb recently told Collider that Jon Bernthal won't play the character in the first season of The Defenders and, if there's a second season, it's unlikely he'd join up then, either. 

"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. I think 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 it in, it feels a little off."

But never say never. "I'm not saying that it couldn't happen and I'm not saying that it wouldn't happen, I'm just saying it doesn't immediately lend itself towards, 'Oh yeah, sure, I can see the Punisher and Luke Cage (Mike Colter) hanging out with each other.' I think you sort of go, 'That feels like, you know, peanut butter and asparagus.'"

Bernthal debuted as the iconic Marvel vigilante in the second season of Daredevil, and he's set to star in a spinoff series that will hit Netflix in November. 

Until then, watch the latest trailer for The Defenders and facts about the Punisher you may not know.