John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
The upcoming Punisher special just added an Academy Award-winner to its already star-studded crew list.
During an interview with Brandon Davis, Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Television and Animation Brad Winderbaum discussed the upcoming Punisher special along with offering a major update on its production. "We're in editorial now, written by Jon Bernthal and Rei Green, our director, shot by Robert Elswit, Oscar winning DP," Winderbaum stated. "Beautiful piece, and incredibly acted by Jon."
Elswit's screen credits stretch back to 1980 with CBS Library and includes television series such as Dream Street and Human Target, made for TV movies including A Killing in a Small Town and Steel Magnolias, and feature films ranging from 1981's The End of August to Ben Affleck's upcoming crime thriller Animals. Elswit is best known for his frequent collaborations with director Paul Thomas Anderson, which currently consist of Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood, and Inherent Vice. In 2007, Elswit was awarded his first Academy Award for Best Cinematography on There Will Be Blood, which stood as his second Academy Award nomination following 2005's Good Night, and Good Luck.
The upcoming Punisher special is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green from a screenplay co-written alongside returning star Jon Bernthal. The special will be spun loosely out of the events of Daredevil: Born Again, and will largely revolve around Frank Castle's war against the Gnucci crime family. Along with Bernthal himself, the Punisher special is slated to star Jason R. Moore as Curtis Hoyle, a close friend of Castle who served in the United States Navy and found a new purpose leading a therapy group after losing a leg in combat.
Who Is Ma Gnucci In The Punisher MCU Special Presentation?
Image via NetflixIntroduced in the pages of 2000's Punisher #4 by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, Ma Gnucci was the diminutive yet ruthless matriarch of the Gnucci crime family, who lorded over much of New York City during their heyday. With both the mayor and police commissioner in her clutches, Ma Gnucci was able to foment a powerful criminal empire during the Punisher's time away from NYC. Upon his return, however, the Punisher's attempts to tear through her organization led Ma Gnucci to send dozens of mercenaries and assassins after the overtly lethal vigilante. Unfortunately, the Punisher ended up cutting down the entire Gnucci empire, including Ma herself. Back in July, readers got a glimpse of the Gnucci's presence thanks to an image of Gnucci's Restaurant from the set of the Punisher special.
Marvel Studios' Punisher special is currently expected to arrive on Disney+ some time in 2026.
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