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Jon Bernthal could reportedly return as Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher, in Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated superhero film Avengers: Doomsday. The possible appearance has generated excitement among fans, particularly because the actor has already reprised his popular Marvel role for another upcoming project.

Bernthal, 49, first became widely associated with the character after portraying Frank Castle in two seasons of the standalone series The Punisher. His performance earned a strong following, with viewers praising his intense portrayal of the troubled vigilante. The character was later brought back into the Marvel universe, raising hopes that Bernthal could have a larger role in the franchise’s future.

The actor is already set to appear as The Punisher in Tom Holland’s upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Now, new reports have sparked speculation that Bernthal may also have filmed material for Avengers: Doomsday, the next major ensemble movie from Marvel.

According to the latest reports, Bernthal has allegedly filmed a scene for the upcoming Avengers movie that takes place inside a bar. However, his reported involvement has not been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios. The actor was also absent from the recently released trailer, while his name was not included in the film’s major cast announcement.

That apparent secrecy has left fans questioning whether Bernthal’s role could be a brief appearance rather than a major part of the story. Marvel has previously kept details about its biggest projects tightly under wraps, particularly when surprise appearances or returning characters are involved.

The possibility of The Punisher joining the enormous cast of Avengers: Doomsday has also sparked discussion about how Marvel plans to accommodate so many established characters in a single movie. Several major stars are expected to return, while a number of other popular Marvel characters are also making appearances.

One fan on X questioned the significance of having so many returning characters if their screen time is ultimately limited. The post suggested that many of the returning heroes could end up appearing only briefly or functioning as cameos rather than playing substantial roles in the main storyline.

The concern reflects a broader discussion among Marvel fans about the scale of Avengers: Doomsday. With a large number of heroes and returning characters expected to appear, audiences are eager to see how the filmmakers balance the different storylines without making the movie feel overcrowded.

The film is being directed by the Russo brothers, who previously helmed several major Marvel projects, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Their return has increased expectations surrounding the next Avengers installment, particularly because the filmmakers have experience handling large ensembles of characters.

Avengers: Doomsday is expected to bring together several major Marvel stars. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Sebastian Stan are among the names associated with the project. Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Kirby, Alan Cumming and Channing Tatum are also part of the star-studded cast.

The movie has already attracted significant attention following the release of its trailer, which reportedly broke records and fueled further anticipation among Marvel fans worldwide. The scale of the cast and the return of familiar characters have made the project one of the most closely watched releases in the superhero genre.

For now, Bernthal’s reported involvement remains unconfirmed, leaving fans to speculate about whether Frank Castle will actually appear in the final cut. If The Punisher does make an appearance, even a short scene could become one of the film’s most talked-about moments.

Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to arrive in cinemas worldwide on December 18.

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