It seems that Zombieland isn't the only movie shifting back into a television format sometime in the near future. Deadline is reporting that Marvel's Frank Castle character will be exacting vengeance (and justice) on the small screen, with Fox handing a put pilot commitment deal to Ed Bernero and ABC Studios for a new version of "The Punisher." This is one of two high-profile sales for Ed Bernero, with the man also recently selling a supernatural Western spec called "The Eye" to ABC.
Plot Concept: The Punisher is described as an hour-long procedural with a Marvel signature and a new take on one of the comic book giant’s iconic characters. It centers on Frank Castle, a rising star detective with the New York Police Department who moonlights as the vigilante Punisher, seeking justice for those the system has failed.
Thanks to Chopsaki for the submission.
This is bullcrap! Why do they have to change the story to make Castle a cop by day/vigilante at night?? What's wrong with the original story?? There should be a rule that Comic Book properties should not be handed over to tv studios provided that the studio doesn't alter the source material on which it is based.
A detective that Moonlights as the Punisher? What the hell?! Terrible idea. Sounds more like DC,s Vigilante. I'm with Hobbs, HBO/Showtime or don't bother.
Yeah, a bit disapointed to hear they are changing his origins, go real or go home.
SpikeTV abandoned the BLADE television series because it wasn't reaching a female audience. Hello? Who was your target audience, exactly? This sounds like a very bad idea. (Again, concur with Hobbes.)
I have been a heavy duty advocate for Daredevil to be done as an hour long cable series instead of the upcoming movie sequel. It wouldn't require a big budget and TV is naturally suited to the episodic storylines of comic books.
I've been wary of the Punisher going that route for reasons that Hobbs has pointed out. I also agree that there was was no reason to change his origins since his basic setup would work for TV. I do like the thought of applying the "procedural" skin to him because that could work. But it has to be noted that the TV/movie rights for The Punisher are still not owned by Marvel so what is done with him is out of their hands.
This is a wait and see as to how well this comes off.
I'm not sure what's dumber here, that the Punisher will be a TV series or that Frank Castle will be moonlighting between cop and vigilante. The entire point of his character is that he's ex-military and works completely outside the law. I guess they could dump his efforts to avenge the murder of his wife and kid too.
Hey Monkeyfoot, you just reminded me that Marvel sold the TV rights to Punisher a long time ago. I think they had at one time planned a Punisher series staring an unamed WWE star who was rumored to be Sean Michaels (for some inexplicable reason). I remember thinking at the time that Scott Hall (Razor Ramon) did actually look just like the Punisher though.
I suspect the only reason they are doing this is so the rights don't revert back to Marvel. Look for something similar happening to FF & Daredevil soon, anything thing to keep the contracts ending.
No, no, no, no, no, no,no, no!!! I only disagree with Hobbs and reek in that their reactions weren't strong enough! Punisher cannot work as a series unless you put it on HBO or Showtime. It needs to have uncensored violence to really get at the core of the character as an anti-hero.
And WTF is this about him being a cop AT ALL, let alone "moonlighting" as Punisher?! HUH?!
Oh, and btw, Fox will just cancel this within 6-8 weeks of its premiere anyway, since they don't actually like genre shows at all.
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The Punisher on TV...can only work if one of the pay channels make it just for the violence alone. Fox will be toned down so they can bring in a wider audience.