Punisher

[ufcrusher]

So when I was walking into Finding Nemo, I saw a poster for an upcoming movie. What I found interesting is that they are once again redoing the punisher. They just released it with Dolph Lundgren not too long ago (read less than 5 years)...that movie sucked, so hopefully they will do a better job of it, but still it seems odd to redo a comic book movie in such a short period of time. Anyone else see the poster or remember that first horrible one.

[Chinpoko_Mon]

Not to ruin the movie for you.. but here's what you can look forward to...



http://images.comicbookresources.com/c2f/punisher/890b.jpg


Originally posted by ufcrusher
Anyone else see the poster or remember that first horrible one.

I'm still trying to forget about it.

[raimin]

the dolph lungren movie back in late 80's
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0098141

but it was better than the captain america movie

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6302447739.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[ufcrusher]

Originally posted by Chinpoko_Mon
Not to ruin the movie for you.. but here's what you can look forward to...

I'm still trying to forget about it.

What did you do, download it? I didnt think it was out yet. I figured I would not see it in the theater as the last one was a stinker with Dolph Lundgren. If that pic is from the movie, then its really really really bad looking. You would have thought they could have gotten the costume a bit better looking,

[Chinpoko_Mon]

Well, that pic was released to the media a month or so ago. It might not be for the movie, but that is the actor that's gonna be Frank Castle.

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April 29, 2003

Link for first newsbit (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=2186)

Today, Artisan Entertainment distributed to the comics press a first look at actor Thomas Jane ("Dreamcatcher," "The Thin Red Line") portraying Frank Castle in the upcoming Artisan film, "The Punisher." The film, based on the Marvel Comics character, is directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, screenwriter of the blockbuster films "The Rock," "Armageddon" and "Die Hard: With a Vengeance." The movie is produced by Marvel Studios' CEO Avi Arad ("The Hulk," "Spider-Man," "X-Men") and veteran producer Gale Anne Hurd ("The Hulk," "Aliens," "The Terminator"). "The Punisher" will hit theaters in the summer of 2004. Click the image below to see a large version of Jane as the Punisher.

http://images.comicbookresources.com/c2f/punisher_jane_sm.jpg

Thomas Jane as the Punisher.
Photo courtesy of Artisan Entertainment

This won't be the first time the Punisher will be seen on the big screen. In 1989, Dolph Lundgren starred in the first "Punisher" film, but this film never saw theatrical release in the United States due to a variety of legal troubles and the sale of New World Pictures, although it did find it's way into theaters internationally. In the U.S. the movie was available only on video. The movie has been universally panned and is generally considered to be one of the worst adaptations of comics into film. For comparisons sake, here's a look at Dolph Lundgren in that same role, but without the familiar skull logo adorning his chest.


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THE PUNISHER (May 14, 2003)

Thomas Jane's "Punisher" now has his nemesis according to today's Variety. John Travolta has been cast to play the villain in the upcoming Artisan feature based on Marvel's tormented hero.

Travolta plays a character, created just for the movie, named Howard Saint. Saint is described as "a former underworld figure who goes straight but returns to old habits after his son is slain," a character not unlike the Punisher himself. Naturally the two men are drawn into conflict with one another.

Travolta mounted his big-screen comeback playing a criminal in "Pulp Fiction," years ago. Since then his most memorable parts have been playing heavies in movies like "Broken Arrow," "Face/Off" and "Swordfish."

Filming on "The Punisher" is set to begin in July with an eye toward a summer 2004 release.

In other "Punisher" news, Superhero Hype has posted an image of the teaser poster for the movie. The poster utilizes the skull that was seen in the recently released publicity photo.

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PUNISHER (May 16, 2003)


Ryan Downey of MTV.com caught up with Marvel's Avi Arad to talk about casting on "The Punisher."

Back in April, Artisan officially announced that Thomas Jane ("Dreamcatcher") would step up to the lead role in the production. Arad commented on the choice of casting a character actor over a Hollywood action hero.

"You don't want to just get a man of steel — you want a man of steel with a bleeding heart. You want someone who cares and therefore you're going to care for him. Thomas Jane, he has soulful eyes," Arad said. "I see him as a cross between Steve McQueen and Clint Eastwood. And he has that thing about him — when he is sad, you feel like crying with him. And when he is mad? Watch out."

Just this week it was announced that John Travolta was on board to play the villain in the film, Howard Saint, a crime-lord gone straight, who is pulled back into his violent lifestyle when is own son is killed.

"We didn't want to do a cliché villain," Arad said of Travolta. "We are going for a dignified businessman [who is] cold but almost charming. And we are going to see his world fall apart like he made Frank's world fall apart. ... There is a lot of pain to what happens to Saint in this movie. And we needed an actor who can carry a real emotional journey."

In spite of the comics' violent tale of vengeance, Arad said the movie will look beneath the surface to the humanity of the characters.

"We'd like to take the Punisher saga and turn it into a real interesting film about emotions, about punishment, and deal both with the hero and the villain evenhandedly as people first and see what happens when the shoe is on the other foot. And you really need great actors to pull it off."

In other "Punisher" news a write up in The Saint Petersburg Times talk's about the movie's Tampa location. Cameras will roll in the Florida city starting in July. According to the article, it will be the first movie to film principal photography there in over a decade.

Tampa film commissioner Edie Emerald was also happy that the city would be playing itself in the movie, and not merely standing in for a different or generic city.

"So often I'm showing clients around, looking for places that can double for New Orleans or Charlotte or Texas," Emerald told the Times. "This is the first time when a director felt (Tampa) was perfect."

The article credits Michael France, who penned the script before writer/director Jonathan Hensleigh came on board, as moving the character from New York City to Tampa. France is said to be a resident of St. Pete Beach.

Tampa's downtown, Ybor City and the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor have already been selected for locations in the shoot. Tampa Theatre, the Florida Aquarium and the University of Tampa campus are also being considered.

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THE PUNISHER (May 30, 2003)

Want to know which characters are rounding out "The Punisher" movie? FilmJerk.com got a hold of the casting sides for the film, documents which describe the characters that are in the picture.

According to FilmJerk, Artisan seeks six supporting characters for the production, which begins filming July 28th. Of course, fans already know that Thomas Jane ("Dreamcatcher") is playing the title role while and John Travolta ("Basic") has been cast as the villain.

Casting directors are on the lookout for Nicky Duka (a slick, greasy kind of guy), Detective Jimmy Weeks (the cop on the Punisher's trail), Leonard Glass (Saint's right hand man), Stanley Bumpo (The Punisher's overweight neighbor), John Saint (the villain's son, whose death draws the two main characters into conflict), Mike Toro (a cutthroat Cuban gangster).

"The Punisher" is due out summer of 2004. Thanks to Cinescape for the lead.


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THE PUNISHER (June 9, 2003)

A USA Today article detailing the perils of stunt work in Hollywood reveals that Thomas Jane is gearing up for action in "The Punisher" by training with four Navy SEALs. The actor is receiving daily, basic weapons training from the military men in Huntington Beach.

"The stuff on the wires and all that crazy dancing that was done so well in 'Crouching Tiger' is beautiful, but it's not very real world. We're kind of going back to old-fashioned days — serious hand-to-hand combat without all the trickery and dancing," Jane told USA Today.

Jane says the comic book movie won't try to glamorize the action, but rather depict the painful consequences of violence. "Stylized violence is a way of stepping away from violence and making it palatable. With our movie, we inject a sense of here's what happens when it really goes down."

While he may end up doing some stunts for "The Punisher," Jane said there is only so much an actor can do. He spent most of his time on the set of "Deep Blue Sea" disguising the fact that he had developed a double hernia for fear of losing the part in that movie.

"I've done a few action films now, and it's very popular to try to do all the stunts yourself — until the insurance company steps in and says no. No film is going to ever go beyond that."

For more about "The Punisher" and numerous other action movies, check out the complete article.

Thanks to Lauren D. for the lead

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[mcs328]

Uhmm...I don't think he can play it off as the Punisher. He's kinda skinny and not enough meaness in his face. Yeah...this movie is gonna bomb. :thumbdown

[M_A_C]

Yeah, he looks like some dork whos trying to be the punisher for halloween.

[RoniMan]

John travolta is the villain (http://www.superherohype.com/cgi-bin/news/punisher.cgi?newsid1052879029,17186,)

What a day for The Punisher! First it's revealed they'll be filming in Tampa Bay, then we receive the new teaser poster, and now we hear who's playing the villain.

Artisan Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today that John Travolta has been cast as the lead villain in The Punisher, the feature film production of Marvel Comics' enormously popular comic book series of the same name.

Travolta, who has been hailed for his villainous performances in such box office hits as "Pulp Fiction", "Broken Arrow" and "Face/Off", will play Howard Saint, a man involved in the criminal underworld who has managed to conceal his violent beginnings and become a paragon of society until a darker, vengeful side emerges after his son is brutally slain. Artisan Pictures President of Production, Richard Saperstein and Marvel Studios' CEO Avi Arad made the announcement.

Starring Thomas Jane in the title role and being directed by renowned screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh, The Punisher tells the story of FBI undercover agent, Frank Castle, who until now has beat considerable odds. A former Special Forces operative, he is finally moving out of the field and into a desk job -- and a normal life with his wife and son. Then Castle's world is shaken to its core by a nightmare he has longed feared: his family is executed as a repercussion from his final undercover assignment. With unparalleled intensity, ferocious intelligence and fearless actions, Castle seeks to punish the murderers -- and finds the one thing he least expected: redemption.

The film is being produced by Marvel's Avi Arad and producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Hulk). Principal photography will commence in early July 2003 and the film is scheduled to hit theaters in summer 2004.

"This is yet another example of marquee, A-list talent finding intrigue with and attraction to the Marvel Universe," said Marvel's Arad. "John has proven through his career that he can inject into the most villainous roles an energy and humanity that registers with audiences -- helping distinguish these characters' beyond a traditional hero's foil."

Added Artisan's Saperstein, "John is an incredibly versatile and talented actor who turns in one great performance after another. We couldn't be more pleased to have him in The Punisher."