Ray Stevenson is the New Punisher, Source Says
Filed under: Action, Casting, RumorMonger, Scripts, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels, ComicCon
A very reliable source at Latino Review is reporting that the new Punisher has been cast. It looks like it will be ... drumroll please ... Ray Stevenson. Latino Review expects this information to be confirmed at ComicCon later this week or possibly before. Stevenson's biggest film role so far was probably as Dagonet in 2004's King Arthur, but he's likely best known as Titus Pullo on HBO's very entertaining (and of course, canceled -- damn you, HBO!) Rome. Thomas Jane played the Punisher in 2004, Dolph Lundgren played the part in 1989. Former World Karate and Kickboxing Champion Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans) will direct The Punisher 2. The villain will be Jigsaw, whom I faintly remember from my days of collecting comic cards to fit in at junior high school. I somehow managed to miss both film versions of The Punisher, but I've heard they kind of live up to their names. Was John Travolta as ridiculous in the 2004 version as he looked in the previews? I can't say the thought of this new one is thrilling me, either. I was intrigued when John Dahl was going to direct it. But as Jessica told you last month, he decided the script, written by Stuart Beattie, Jonathan Hensleigh and Kurt Sutter, was "not that good." Yikes. A little wikipedia research reveals that what little I remember about The Punisher is accurate: he "considers killing, kidnapping, extortion, coercion, threats of violence and torture as acceptable crime-fighting tactics." Hey, whatever pays the bills. Ray Stevenson is probably a better choice than Thomas Jane, but don't you think a perfect selection would be Henry Rollins? How has that guy not been considered?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-22-2007 @ 8:52PM
MosquitoControl said...
I'd actually see it if Hank were to star.
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7-23-2007 @ 11:37AM
MookieFL said...
I went to see The Punisher since it was filmed in and around Tampa, where I live. Sadly, this was the only noteworthy part of the whole movie for me--this was easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen, and one of my 15 or so "1's" on IMDB, out of nearly 1100 votes. I think Ray Stevenson is a great casting choice for the character, but why in the hell will there be a sequel?
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7-23-2007 @ 1:07PM
gino said...
I always feel as if I'm in the minority when it comes to The Punisher, as I loved (And still occasionally love) the movie. Yes, the comic continuity wasn't as accurate as some fans would've wanted (But no comic book movie ever is) but they nailed the character of The Punisher himself. While the punishing was kept more to the 3rd act (While the 1st act featured a pretty good island destruction scene, and the 2nd act had the awesome fight versus The Russian, played by Kevin Nash) it still brought out an awesome Punisher in Thomas Jane.
That all being said, I was really disappointed to hear that Jane wouldn't be back, and then hearing that the script was subpar. I'd probably still see it, but it's got a lot to live up to.
And Travolta's character was as out there and ridiculous, but I enjoy the ridiculous Travolta (Like the one in Swordfish)...
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7-23-2007 @ 12:58PM
Cath said...
While I regret that Thomas Jane will not be back, Ray Stevenson did a wonderful job in Rome and won't need much in the way of body armor to look the part.
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7-23-2007 @ 3:00PM
cheezedog said...
No kidding, why not Henry Rollins?!?
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8-02-2007 @ 12:29PM
seriouscomics said...
Henry Rollins doesn't look anything like the punisher, Thomas Jane was close but too small in stature. I don't think Ray Stevenson looks the part either. Forget Dolph, ugh...
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8-08-2007 @ 10:57PM
Nomad said...
Ray Stevenson is going to blow you away in this role. If you've seen any of his work in Rome, you'll know he's fully capable of giving us a Punisher who is NOT an automaton, but a fully feeling man walking a very dark path.
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