October 26, 2004 - In an interview with N-Zone, actor Tom Jane confirmed that The Punisher 2 is still in-development but he doesn't expect the making of the sequel to be any easier than the first film. "No, probably not. No, that movie was really hard to make. I didn't want to do it, I turned it down twice. I did. Certainly a sign I'm supposed to do it," said the star.
Jane even provided a tidbit on what fans can expect from the story: "I know that the scene at the end of the first Punisher where I go up and take everybody out, that's going to be the opening of Punisher 2 where he'll be taking out another set of guys in another place – whole other context."
There were reports that Punisher 2 had been scrapped due to lukewarm domestic box office but sources advised IGN FilmForce that the rumors were "total rubbish."
In related news, Tom Jane will also provide the voice for The Punisher in the new videogame being developed by Volition Inc.
-- Stax
RocShemp
10-27-04, 08:48 AM
:thumbsup: Especially if this is as good as the first.
And :thumbsup: for Jane voicing the Punisher in the game. That game certainly looks like it has potential and this just makes it sweeter.
raven56706
10-27-04, 08:50 AM
I liked the first 1..... it was what it had to be.... beat up stupid movie....
Get Me Coffee
10-27-04, 09:28 AM
:up: I heard about this last week. I can't wait for Punisher 2!
JEStinson3
10-27-04, 10:49 AM
I just hope that they keep it organize crime related. I don't want to see any of the campy villians from the 80s and 90s.
If they stay with the feel of Ennis's run, it'll work out well.
Get Me Coffee
10-27-04, 10:52 AM
I heard that Punisher will be going to Las Vegas! Maybe...Big Maybe
SeekOnce
10-27-04, 12:07 PM
"Good business, murder? Does Saint pay you for each one, or does he get a group rate discount?"
Gawd, I hope the sequel gets better dialogue.
Get Me Coffee
10-27-04, 12:46 PM
Thougth that was a good line. What about the one with God sitting this one out? Was that too corny too? or the one regarding the last son? I thought some of the lines were funny yet bad ass.
devilshalo
10-27-04, 12:54 PM
Enter Kraven. :p
fumanstan
10-27-04, 01:52 PM
Weren't there rumblings about Jigsaw as the villan?
cactusoly
10-27-04, 02:00 PM
bring on Jigsaw !
SeekOnce
10-27-04, 02:02 PM
Originally posted by Get Me Coffee
Thougth that was a good line. What about the one with God sitting this one out? Was that too corny too? or the one regarding the last son? I thought some of the lines were funny yet bad ass.
The God bit was fine. Not sure which one you're referring to regarding the last son. But that group discount line just stuck out in my mind as being sooo.......well, I'm just surprised anyone could say it with a straight face. :)
SunMonkey
10-27-04, 03:05 PM
I just watched the first here on DVD, and I thought it was good enough for a sequel (at least of the same budget). I'll probably just rent it, though.
Get Me Coffee
10-27-04, 03:09 PM
Originally posted by SeekOnce
The God bit was fine. Not sure which one you're referring to regarding the last son. But that group discount line just stuck out in my mind as being sooo.......well, I'm just surprised anyone could say it with a straight face. :)
Howard: You killed my son!!!
*BANG*
Frank: Both of them
:lol:
Classic!
SeekOnce
10-27-04, 03:13 PM
:lol:
Ahh yes, I remember now.
Get Me Coffee
10-27-04, 03:23 PM
Right! Wasn't that funny yet bad ass!?
SeekOnce
10-27-04, 04:30 PM
Sure, that one I'll agree with. But I'm not budging on the group discount line. Too much cheese for me. :)
jiggawhat
10-27-04, 04:36 PM
This movie was great. The DVD was even better.
Jackskeleton
10-27-04, 04:54 PM
Hellz yeah! With no need for a backstory wasting time this will be gun filled sadistic frank castle from the get go. :)
Get Me Coffee
10-27-04, 05:03 PM
Originally posted by SeekOnce
Sure, that one I'll agree with. But I'm not budging on the group discount line. Too much cheese for me. :)
You're right! That line did have extra cheese :)
nightmaster
10-27-04, 07:05 PM
Loved the first one and looking forward to the second :)
Dr. DVD
10-27-04, 07:24 PM
Might be fun. I gave this one a second chance on DVD and wound up liking it more. If they plan on opening the movie the way Jane describes it, then it sounds like they will have it right from the get-go this time around.
Deftones
10-27-04, 07:47 PM
I thought the first one was OK. Not up to the caliber of X-Men or Spiderman franchises, but good nonetheless. I'll go see it.
Corvin
10-27-04, 09:35 PM
If there is more ass-kicking and less neighbors, I'll be happy.
Joem
10-27-04, 09:46 PM
This is great news! I loved the first one. :)
Yavin
05-16-07, 02:43 PM
Resurrecting an old thread in light of the following bit of news (courtesy of filmwad):
Thomas Jane Leaves Punisher Sequel
AICN reports that Thomas Jane, the man who would be The Punisher, has pulled out of Punisher 2. He doesn't really explain why, but it's obvious the guy is broken up about it and was irritated at the film the studios wanted to make. It's unfortunate, to say the least – the first Punisher, while undoubtedly bad, had some good moments that a sequel could have improved upon. With Jane leaving and no director in Hollywood desiring to follow up the first film, could this be the end of Frank Castle?
Anyway, here's Tom's entire letter:
"Quint,
I’m writing to tell you that I regretfully and painfully had to pull out of P2. I can’t tell you how completely broken up I am about it. After busting my ass at the gym four days a week for almost two years, watching every character driven action pic that any fan would ask me to watch while I was standing in line buying egg whites and Tuna fish (Leon the Professional, Oldboy, The Seven-Ups (GREAT flick), Point Blank, Escape from NY, The Driver, Magnum Force, The Mechanic, The Great Silence, Sexy Beast, Nighthawks, Cry Vengeance (check it out), Road Warrior, Man on Fire, Outlaw Josey Wales, Rocky (think about it), Serpico, etc etc etc.) after countless Saturday nights making notes and drinking soda water and munching on seaweed sticks while my daughter slept on my lap to the sound of automatic gunfire, (now she can’t sleep without it. I had to make a tape of automatic gunfire to play in her room at night) after hauling myself to any ‘Guns! Knifes! Ammo!’ show in any small town that I found myself in shooting Killshot or The Mist or Mutant Chronicles, after torn ligaments, screwed up rotator cuffs, thousands of $$$ on ridiculously huge vitamins, overly long conversations with frighteningly tall men about The Fastest Way To Kill Someone With Your Bare Hands, and after a dude refused to sell me a Fatburger at 2am on Santa Monica Blvd, I am, sadly – no, make that heartbrokenly – fuck it - just rip out the heart and stomp it into the pavement a couple of times – pulling out. Punisher fans are already fighting an uphill battle as it is. And I’ve always felt a responsibility to fight that fight for them and with them so that Frank Castle gets the treatment he deserves.
I'm sharing this with you because I know you're a fan, like me, and you've got your ear to the ground, and because we seem to share the same sort of taste and passion when it comes to movies and stories that get us off. What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I’ve always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch.
Sincerely,
Thomas Jane"
Kudama
05-16-07, 03:21 PM
Wow. That sucks. If that letter was real, though, I applaud Thomas Jane. I really enjoy the first* one and I even like the neighbor characters. But, I'd rather leave it at that than have a really shitty studio heavy sequel.
*I don't count the Dolph one because no skull shirt equals a guy with the same name, but not THE Punisher.
Geofferson
05-16-07, 03:45 PM
Anyone who watches The Great Silence as part of their prep work gets accolades from me.
Sorry to hear Jane won't be involved in a potential sequel.
Deftones
05-16-07, 03:55 PM
I'm confused as to why he's pulling out. Is it that there's not much studio support and he's ticked off about it?
Kudama
05-16-07, 04:06 PM
I got the impression that he's a fan of the source material and the studio wanted to make a more focus group friendly film using the name but not the substance on the source. And ultimately he thought it was going to turn out crappy and didn't want to be in a crappy flick.
Ronnie Dobbs
05-16-07, 05:09 PM
I never liked Tom Jane as the Punisher to start so I can't say I'm disappointed.
stingermck
05-16-07, 05:41 PM
You would think as fast as MARVEL movies are cranked out now, P2 wouldve already happened. Maybe they can bring him back, but if Bana can be replaced...
Seantn
05-16-07, 06:07 PM
I'm confused as to why he's pulling out.
It's pretty clear that in order to be polite to the production he's not coming right out and saying it, but reading between the lines - the script sucks and the people working on it don't seem to care. He says he just can't spend months of his life working on a film that he doesn't believe in. Sure he has been in crappy movies before, but that doesn't mean that he didn't at least believe in it when he first read the script.
RocShemp
05-16-07, 08:42 PM
Sad news if it's true. But I'd rather wait for news from a a reliable source, not AICN.
Seantn
05-16-07, 10:13 PM
Does AICN usually post fake letters from the celebrities themselves?
Tarantino
05-17-07, 06:36 AM
It'd be funny if they did the 'Requim' story from the comics...Punisher breaks out of Rykers Island prison and turns black for a few episodes.
= J
Yavin
05-17-07, 02:13 PM
New director rumors abound (http://www.filmwad.com/the-punisher-2-has-already-found-a-new-director--2445-p.html) .
Dr. DVD
05-17-07, 02:30 PM
Sad that Jane is leaving. It was obvious from his portrayal of Castle that he was a fan of the character and his performance was the only good thing about the movie. The movie and screenwriter missed the character, but Jane nailed it with what he had.
TimeandTide
05-17-07, 03:39 PM
Sad that Jane is leaving. It was obvious from his portrayal of Castle that he was a fan of the character and his performance was the only good thing about the movie. The movie and screenwriter missed the character, but Jane nailed it with what he had.
:thumbsup:
RocShemp
05-17-07, 04:42 PM
Sad that Jane is leaving. It was obvious from his portrayal of Castle that he was a fan of the character and his performance was the only good thing about the movie. The movie and screenwriter missed the character, but Jane nailed it with what he had.
What's amazing is that Jane had never read the comic before making the movie. He also had rejected the role several times because he thought it was just some super hero thing and he didn't see himself being able to do that kind of role. It took sending him artwork of Tim Bradstreet and issues of the Ennis run on the comics to finally get him on board and make a fan of him.
As for AICN, I don't think they faked the letter. They're just not the most reliable site around and I wouldn't be suprised if someone just sent in the letter claiming it was from Thomas Jane and they just ran with it. As I said, I'd rather hear it from a more reliable source than AICN.
fryinpan1
07-22-07, 09:36 AM
http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=2452
The new Punisher is RAY STEVENSON.
http://www.latinoreview.com/images/user/raystevenson.jpg
cactusoly
07-22-07, 09:52 AM
http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=2452
The new Punisher is RAY STEVENSON.
http://www.latinoreview.com/images/user/raystevenson.jpg
Interesting ... I liked him a lot on Rome, but I hate it when they replace actors in franchises. We'll have to wait and see.
T1000
07-22-07, 09:59 AM
Well, I've completely lost interest now in the sequel.
I didn't even know Jane had pulled out. I can't bring myself to watch a sequel without the same director or lead character.
Meh, looking forward to it aswell as I loved the 1st.
Even if he has nothing, he said that he didn't want to be involved in a sequel that he didn't believe in. Some people might say "But he's been in crap before" and i'd probably think that at the time he signed on to those movies he had high hopes for them.
stingermck
07-22-07, 12:53 PM
Umm who? Never watched Rome. I miss Jane already :(
At least he looks a little older. Frank should be nice grizzled, so maybe this will put him at several years after the first movie.
Digigeek06
07-22-07, 12:59 PM
This is BS! TJ was the Punisher
stingermck
07-22-07, 01:05 PM
And who the hell is this Lexi Alexander that is directing? geez
TallGuyMe
07-22-07, 01:09 PM
I always thought Jane was a bit of pussy-casting for The Punisher anyway... this looks like an upgrade to me.
For those that haven't seen "Rome" - this guy is a complete badass. Basically took out a bunch of gladiators single-handed in one part, tore it up in battle and has a huge "don't fuck with me" vibe throughout the show.
He's a great choice for this part.
Kicker_of_Elves
07-23-07, 10:32 AM
For those that haven't seen "Rome" - this guy is a complete badass. Basically took out a bunch of gladiators single-handed in one part, tore it up in battle and has a huge "don't fuck with me" vibe throughout the show.
Gonna have to check out Rome now, i haven't heard too much about it.
Geofferson
07-23-07, 10:32 AM
I also agree that Stevenson is a good choice for the part.
Bandit03
07-23-07, 10:50 AM
I liked Jane as The Punisher, but im willing to give this guy a shot. He definately has that grizzly, take no crap look.
Draven
07-23-07, 11:27 AM
Gonna have to check out Rome now, i haven't heard too much about it.
This is probably the most violent part of the first season of Rome, so be warned (by both the violence and the fact that most of the show consists of people talking.)
Stevensen was awesome in Rome and definitely reignited my interest in this project. I'm sure it'll still suck but I'm interested to see what he does with the part. The British accent worries me a bit, but other than that I don't have any qualms with the choice.
Kicker_of_Elves
07-23-07, 02:49 PM
Holy Shit! That was badass, I gotta go put that in my nextflix queue.
devilshalo
08-02-07, 01:14 AM
I guess it's not Punisher 2 as it'a more of a reboot along the same lines as Norton's Hulk.
'Punisher' gets Lionsgate overhaul
October start date set for new franchise
By MICHAEL FLEMING
'The Punisher,' which starred Thomas Jane in the 2004 incarnation, will get a redo.
Lionsgate is overhauling "The Punisher," setting an October start date for a new franchise that will be built on the broad shoulders of "Rome" star Ray Stevenson.
Director Lexi Alexander, the German-born former world kickboxing champ who directed "Hooligans," will helm the film, which will aim for an R rating.
Nick Santora, Kurt Sutter, Matt Holloway and Art Marcum wrote the script. Gale Anne Hurd and Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige are producing with Avi Arad. MHF Zweite Academy Film is financing.
Stevenson was first seen in Hollywood alongside Clive Owen in the Antoine Fuqua-directed "King Arthur," but he's known for playing the Roman soldier Titus Pullo in the HBO series.
"Ray was the first name I wrote down after I saw 'Rome,' because he managed to keep the audience caring about him despite being the most violent guy," said Feige.
New project will mark the third screen incarnation for "The Punisher," which originated in a comicbook about Frank Castle, a Marine-turned-vigilante who is driven by a desire to avenge the murder of his family after they witness a gangland killing.
Property was turned into a 1989 film that starred Dolph Lundgren and then into a 2004 pic that starred Thomas Jane.
New film will be set in New York, where Castle runs up against a mobster.
Pic will be exec produced by Oliver Hengst, Bill Johnson, Mike Paseornek and John Sacchi. Ernst-August Schneider and Wolfgang Shamberg are associate producer
Boba Fett
08-02-07, 03:10 AM
I'm like the idea of him playing a different version of the Punisher much better than the audience being asked to accept him as the exact same guy Jane played.
It also makes sense as there is a Classic Punisher in the Marvel Universe and also the MAX Version. I could see Stevenson as a great MAX-esque Punisher, while Jane would be forever synonymous with being THE Frank Castle.
taffer
08-03-07, 03:51 AM
So it will be a reboot of a reboot... The Thomas Jane version was a reboot of the Dolph Lundgren version.
I second the notion for a movie based on Punisher MAX. That series is just absolutely fricking brutal. Bring in Barracuda as the bad guy for the movie, and it would be awesome.
cactusoly
08-03-07, 11:06 PM
The 2004 Punisher was bassically the Max Punisher, much of the film was lifted directly from the Garth Ennis storylines.
taffer
08-04-07, 04:07 AM
The 2004 Punisher was bassically the Max Punisher, much of the film was lifted directly from the Garth Ennis storylines.
Close but not quite. The 2004 Punisher movie was loosely based on the Welcome Back, Frank storyline under the Marvel Knights imprint. The Marvel Knights imprint is more mature than mainstream Marvel, but the MAX imprint is more mature than even Marvel Knights. Yes, Garth Ennis wrote the Marvel Knights Punisher until he wanted to make it even more violent and Marvel decided to bump it up to the MAX imprint, and Ennis is still the current writer on the series.
Basically, according to Marvel:
mainstream Marvel imprint: suitable for children and up
Marvel Knights imprint: suitable for teens and up
MAX imprint: adults only
stingermck
08-08-07, 12:35 PM
Heres some nice spoilers from IGN:
Punisher 2 Details
IGN has the skinny on the story and characters.
by IGN Staff
August 7, 2007 - IGN has the word on The Punisher 2, Liongate's sequel to the 2004 Marvel Comics adaptation. Lexi Alexander will direct the movie, which begins filming this fall in Montreal for a 2008 release. Ray Stevenson (Rome) will play the title role, taking over from Thomas Jane. The screenplay was written by Nick Santora, Kurt Sutter, Matt Holloway and Art Marcum.
The film is currently casting supporting roles; check out our plot information below for more on who's who. Please be advised that some plot SPOILERS follow:
As expected, the villain of the piece is indeed Billy Russo, a.k.a. Jigsaw. In the comics, Jigsaw was a gunman for the Maggia crime family, but in the movie he works for his uncle, Gaitano Cesare -- a wheelchair-bound Mafia don whom Billy openly despises (it's mutual). Jigsaw runs the waterfront docks of New York City and his facial disfigurement remains the handiwork of The Punisher. Despite the inclusion of a supervillain such as Jigsaw, the tone of the piece is definitely still one of gritty realism.
Jigsaw is expecting a lucrative "biological" shipment in from a Romanian crimelord, Cristu Bulat. The deal rubs Cesare the wrong way since he correctly suspects that Jigsaw is looking to sell the item to a Muslim terrorist cell in Queens once he gets it. This isn't the only plotline involving Jigsaw, however. More on that shortly.
Frank Castle remains on the run from the law, although the NYPD aren't exactly overeager to catch him since he's helping to rid the streets of scumbags. The hunt for The Punisher heats up once FBI Special Agent Luke McDonald becomes the bureau's liaison to the NYPD on the Castle case. Luke is obsessed with catching The Punisher for very personal reasons. Luke is partnered with a seemingly sorry excuse for an NYPD detective, the hard-drinking Martin Soap.
It turns out that during his one-man war on crime Frank unintentionally killed an undercover FBI agent, Nick Donatelli, McDonald's ex-partner. (There's a little more fueling Luke's vendetta than that, though.) Frank is remorseful over the agent's death, but he's not quitting his campaign against organized crime. We suspect, though, that he may have a bit of a death wish, punishing himself for his own crimes.
This heavy-handed theme of penance is driven home by Castle's ally, Dante, a former gangbanger and ex-con who used his stash of drug money to open a legit business (an arcade in Harlem) for families to patron.
These different storylines converge when Jigsaw targets Donatelli's widow Angie and her child Gracie for execution. A hostage standoff brings out both the cops and Frank. Jigsaw also happens to be raising an army of multi-ethnic criminals, all of whom are keen on taking down The Punisher. Then there's the biological shipment sale that Frank Castle has to stop.
Look to IGN for more news on The Punisher 2 as it happens!
-----------------------
SOAP!!!!!!
This sounds kinda awesome. I wonder why Jane didnt want to do it?
Lazy Bum
08-09-07, 12:37 PM
Close but not quite. The 2004 Punisher movie was loosely based on the Welcome Back, Frank storyline under the Marvel Knights imprint. The Marvel Knights imprint is more mature than mainstream Marvel, but the MAX imprint is more mature than even Marvel Knights. Yes, Garth Ennis wrote the Marvel Knights Punisher until he wanted to make it even more violent and Marvel decided to bump it up to the MAX imprint, and Ennis is still the current writer on the series.
Basically, according to Marvel:
mainstream Marvel imprint: suitable for children and up
Marvel Knights imprint: suitable for teens and up
MAX imprint: adults only
Looks like Welcome Back, Frank it is (at least the title).
Thats cool. I was wondering how they were going to title a reboot. Not like he has other titles, like The Amazing Punisher ;)
I wonder if the script still has the opening, lifted from the MAX series, where Frank waste an old Don on his birthday, and slays the entire family. I want a high body count on this one!
taffer
08-09-07, 12:55 PM
Looks like Welcome Back, Frank it is (at least the title).
Well, actually I had meant that the Welcome Back Frank storyline was used in the Thomas Jane movie.
Not like he has other titles, like The Amazing Punisher
There are two Punisher titles currently running. Punisher MAX and Punisher: War Journal. There are various other titles that have ended.
KillerCannibal
08-09-07, 02:20 PM
The new plot sounds like it's going to rock, as long as they get the right cast involved. I really liked Jane as Castle and, though flawed, I liked the film. I hope this reboot does well because I'd like to see more Punisher stories make it to the big screen.
stingermck
08-10-07, 02:27 PM
Well, actually I had meant that the Welcome Back Frank storyline was used in the Thomas Jane movie.
There are two Punisher titles currently running. Punisher MAX and Punisher: War Journal. There are various other titles that have ended.
I meant titles as in adjectives like "Amazing, Uncanny, Incredible" I guess if needed there could be a movie call Punisher War Journal. Like the original book. Not the god-awful current one :)
brianluvdvd
08-11-07, 01:28 AM
I actually liked Jane's Punisher but didn't feel the need to see it in the theater. With the dude from Rome being cast for the sequel/reboot...I definitely will see this one in the theater.
He was the best part of Rome (along with his buddy). Wonder if his sly sense of humor will be used in Punisher 2? I laughed at Pullo more than most comedies I see. He's the double whammy...he's a bad-ass and he's funny.
Yavin
08-30-07, 03:25 PM
Looks like they're going with the title Punisher: War Zone for the sequel (says comingsoon.net (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=36688)).
GreenVulture
08-30-07, 03:34 PM
This sounds kinda awesome. I wonder why Jane didnt want to do it?
Hey, lay off the man. It had to have been exhausting shooting both Junk and Homeless Dad back to back. He probably needed a break.
Ravenous
08-30-07, 04:36 PM
Didnt care for the first one with Jane, but with Pullo in this, Im all over it!
devilshalo
09-25-07, 01:54 AM
Trio paged for ‘Punisher’ roles
By Borys Kit and Carolyn Giardina
Sept 25, 2007
Dominic West, Doug Hutchison and Wayne Knight will strap on the bulletproof vests for Lionsgate and Marvel Studios’ “Punisher: War Zone,” the actioner based on the Marvel Comics character being directed by Lexi Alexander.
Ray Stevenson already is on board to portray the Marvel vigilante.
West is in negotiations to play the Punisher’s archenemy known as Jigsaw, a mob assassin whose face was torn to shreds and stitched back together like a jigsaw puzzle.
Hutchison has taken on the role of LBJ aka Looney Bin Jim, a chemically unbalanced lunatic who considers the world his own private killing field and goes on a maniacal rampage.
Knight is in negotiations to play Microchip, the Punisher’s armorer and confident — the man who supplies him with his stockpile of weapons and one of the few people who knows the Punisher’s true identity.
Gale Anne Hurd and Marvel’s Kevin Feige are producing, and Avi Arad is executive producing. Shooting is scheduled to begin in October in Montreal.
West starred on HBO’s “The Wire” and most recently was seen in “300.” He is repped by Endeavor and Tavistock Wood Management.
Hutchison recently wrapped production on the Lionsgate horror film “The Burrowers” as well as the indie feature “Moola.” He is repped by APA and 9 Yards/Roklin Management.
Knight, who is best known for playing Newman on NBC’s “Seinfeld,” next will be seen in the indie feature “Throwing Stars.” He is repped by APA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners
They should just rerelease the Dolph Lundgren version. I thought it was better than the new one.
jpoppe
06-12-08, 06:44 PM
teaser trailer is up at IGN (http://media.movies.ign.com/media/382/382367/vids_1.html)
fumanstan
06-12-08, 06:47 PM
That looks pretty bad.
DonnachaOne
06-12-08, 07:05 PM
Direct downloads are better. (http://xfersf06.ign.com/^325629572/movies/moviesmovies.ign.com/docroot/movies/video/article/880/880590/punisher2_trailer_061008_flvhighwide.flv)
Well... it looks well-lit.
devilshalo
06-12-08, 07:16 PM
I wouldn't say it looked bad, but I am curious now as to how this will fit into the Marvel Universe created with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, where continuity (imagine that) will crossover from movie to movie. Will we see Punisher use Stark technology/weaponry? I know that he can't have some of his nemesis like Spider-man or Daredevil featured since they are still properties of their respective studios, but I wonder if there might be any mention?
DonnachaOne
06-12-08, 07:27 PM
Isn't Punisher a property of Lionsgate? I imagine it'd be separate.
devilshalo
06-12-08, 07:41 PM
I don't know, I think Marvel had some heavy influence in getting it to be a reboot. And with Lionsgate being a smaller film company, I'm sure control was somewhat compromised. Otherwise, why take a risk on rebooting?
Dr Mabuse
06-12-08, 08:15 PM
those 'Punisher 2 War Zone' posters on YT sure looked cool with Jane on them... all with that 2006 release date...
cactusoly
06-12-08, 09:02 PM
Info for this movie is coming out too slow. But heres another pic (complete with awful skull)
saw the trailer and it pretty much proves its a do over rather than a sequel. one scene shows his origin more in line with the comics
Mondo Kane
06-12-08, 09:43 PM
Weird costume. I was expecting to see him go underwater at any moment.
At least this doesn't have a Miami setting.
Tarantino
06-12-08, 10:40 PM
Looks really bad...very 'B Movie'.
= J
Jackskeleton
06-12-08, 10:50 PM
Wow. at least the Tom Jane one had a lot cooler punisher shirt logo.
Boba Fett
06-13-08, 12:24 AM
I hold judgment on the skull, until I see it on an actual shirt. The pics thus far are just body armor with it sprayed on (just like in the finale of the Jane version).
The Punisher was always one of my least favorite Marvel characters, but that's bad even for him. I still see Thomas Jane as the definitive Punisher, and this hasn't helped changed my mind.
maxfisher
06-13-08, 06:53 AM
Wow. That looks terrible. It's too bad, as I enjoyed the Tom Jane film quite a bit.
stingermck
06-13-08, 09:03 AM
Damnit :( Punisher is my favorite Marvel character but this looks lousy. Him standing on the table with the flare was cool, but theres no way Frank would spin upside down on a chandelier like Hitman. And why is Hollywood afraid of the Skull?
KillerCannibal
06-13-08, 11:05 AM
That looks like total and complete shit. No wonder they pushed this off a summer release, it would get slaughtered at the box office. As it is I'm sure it'll be a major bomb. Ray Stevenson sucks here. I'd rather have a proper sequel starring Jane. Damn.
Tygan
06-13-08, 01:28 PM
lame....
Should have just done a sequel with Jane.
majorjoe23
06-13-08, 02:27 PM
saw the trailer and it pretty much proves its a do over rather than a sequel. one scene shows his origin more in line with the comics
They're using the same script Jane said no to. I don't think it really qualifies as a reboot.
lawyer goodwill
06-13-08, 02:39 PM
I hold judgment on the skull, until I see it on an actual shirt. The pics thus far are just body armor with it sprayed on (just like in the finale of the Jane version).
Dude, this is a 'net forum ... rush to judgment or perish! ;)
DVD-ho78(DTS)
06-13-08, 03:50 PM
I have no desire to see this now after that terrible trailer. :down:
mcfly
06-13-08, 03:51 PM
Am I the only one who gets more of a Direct-to-DVD vibe off of this moreso than a theatrical relelase? I mean, the movie's been done for a bit now and this is what we get? Wow.
I had no problem with Jane's Punisher. It was a good movie. This will be garbage.
candyrocket786
06-13-08, 04:31 PM
No wonder Jane said No to this POS film.
It looks awful.
Zen Peckinpah
06-13-08, 08:48 PM
I'm a sucker for a stupid action movie, but this looks like it makes the Dolph Lundgren movie look like the first Die Hard in comparison.
Dr Mabuse
06-13-08, 09:42 PM
That looks like total and complete shit. No wonder they pushed this off a summer release, it would get slaughtered at the box office. As it is I'm sure it'll be a major bomb. Ray Stevenson sucks here. I'd rather have a proper sequel starring Jane. Damn.
saved me typing it...
Ronnie Dobbs
06-13-08, 09:43 PM
This looks better than he first one but thats not saying much.
BernieStolar
06-14-08, 12:17 AM
This shoulda been straight to video and forgotten, then make a decent one with tom jane. why can't they get this character right? they are probably too confused about how to market such a violent character, hence they have stupid chandelier spinning bullshit to market to the hitman and alien vs. predator teenagers.
Boba Fett
06-14-08, 12:36 AM
I also wouldn't rule out Jane returning to the role. He was patient with them getting their act together for a long time, but, from what I heard, was told that they couldn't stall any longer and had to make a sequel or else they'd lose the character rights.
It's probably a zero chance situation, but it would be nice if they did make a third Punisher film and get their shit together and tie it straight off of Jane's Punisher.
Mercury&Solace
06-14-08, 01:04 AM
Looks like shit, hated the first one, no desire to see this one, $9 saved.
DonTHX1378
06-14-08, 03:48 AM
All I can say is why? I know now why Jane didn't want to return to do the second film. The first film works if you see the directors cut. It's not a bad film that many make it out to be. I can't see how or why this will work. Looks like everything he does and says in the trailer is forcing him to look and sound like a bad ass.
toddly6666
06-14-08, 05:58 PM
What kind of Punisher movie would look good? He's just a revenge-seeking dude killing people. Why would it not look like a Die Hard or Hitman movie? Maybe if it was filmed in a very stylish way (such as 300 or Sin City), then maybe it wouldn't seem like your generic action flick.
What would be the ideal Punisher flick - what would you want to see in the trailer to make you excited? I'll see this film, but I never was into the Punisher, because he's just not as interesting when no other superheroes are involved. I always liked him showing up in other comics, but not his own...
DJariya
06-14-08, 06:30 PM
Ray Stevenson? Who the hell is he? I just looked up his bio on IMDB and it looks like the best known thing he's done is Rome for HBO. Does Lionsgate actually think he is a good selling point for this movie? The trailer so looks like a direct to video flick. This is going to bomb big time.
stingermck
06-14-08, 07:41 PM
What kind of Punisher movie would look good? He's just a revenge-seeking dude killing people. Why would it not look like a Die Hard or Hitman movie? Maybe if it was filmed in a very stylish way (such as 300 or Sin City), then maybe it wouldn't seem like your generic action flick.
What would be the ideal Punisher flick - what would you want to see in the trailer to make you excited? I'll see this film, but I never was into the Punisher, because he's just not as interesting when no other superheroes are involved. I always liked him showing up in other comics, but not his own...
Frank would simply blow up a building long before wasting time swinging from a chandelier. His moves and thoughts are clean and efficient. Punisher by nature of his character (and the way Ennis perfectly writes him) is the story crescendos to the point of Frank dealing out horrible punishment in the end, with the violent highs and lows along the way.
For example from Wizard's recent": Top 5 Punisher Max Moments
"1. No One is Safe ("In The Beginning," Punisher #6)
If there's one thing the Punisher has, it's a moral code that does not waver. So when he learns that his old friend and partner Micro has been getting funding from drug trafficking, his choice is clear. Nothing says, "Dude, you messed up" like a shotgun blast to the cranium."
I agree that the directors cut of the last one was much better. Nothing says punishment, like talking your former partner into suicide.
DonTHX1378
06-14-08, 07:45 PM
What would be the ideal Punisher flick - what would you want to see in the trailer to make you excited? I'll see this film, but I never was into the Punisher, because he's just not as interesting when no other superheroes are involved. I always liked him showing up in other comics, but not his own
I want to see Tom Jane sitting there looking into the camera. I want to hear him talk about that he's not Frank Castle anymore. That the past 4 years he's lost himself in his job. Then show him doing his job, still talking about how he's the only one in this world that knows how to deal with the scum of the earth. I want to see something where it doesn't look like a video game. but something gritty from the 70's. I just don't understand why everyfilm that comes along like this they have to make it look like a live action video game.
Zodiac_Speaking
06-14-08, 08:59 PM
Oh there's a ton of stories to do for Punisher, but I'll agree I like Punisher more when he's with Daredevil or Capt America.
We'll see on this. I like the look. I wasn't impressed with Jane's Punisher. I thought he was good as many have but I thought the story was cornball at best.
toddly6666
06-14-08, 10:31 PM
well, it looks better than the previous film. It is the teaser though...I thought the teasers to Incredible Hulk weren't that exciting and didn't look that good and it turned out The Incredible Hulk was an excellent superhero film...
Why does everyone like Thomas Jane as the Punisher? He's a good actor, but it's still like casting Marlon Wayons as Ripcord from the G.I. Joe movie - he wasn't the Punisher - he was just Thomas Jane pissed off. Ray Stevenson looks and acts like The Punisher from the teaser...And why is the skull an issue again? It's there! It sounds like the same complaints of when X-Men came out with their costume changes...
There's no Travolta in this film to ruin it...and they got Punisher's main villains in there - Jigsaw...so it looks good enough.
I'm assuming this Punisher movie is going to be rated R?
Is this the ideal Punisher movie?
http://seagalology.com/img/movies/abovethelaw.jpg
Boba Fett
06-15-08, 01:09 AM
Why does everyone like Thomas Jane as the Punisher? He's a good actor, but it's still like casting Marlon Wayons as Ripcord from the G.I. Joe movie - he wasn't the Punisher - he was just Thomas Jane pissed off.
That's because he wasn't playing the Punisher in the film. He was still Castle, still the man looking to avenge his family. It wasn't until the final moments of the movie, where he doesn't commit suicide and tells his neighbor he has work to do, that Castle is dead and the Punisher is in the drivers seat.
Jane did get a chance to play THE Punisher, when he did the voice for the game, and it was perfect. I think for a lot of people that's what had them excited for a full-on Punisher sequel with Jane. In all the interviews he said it was going to be violent and action packed; the set-up film had been done, the sequel was all about The Punisher, not Castle.
LivingINClip
06-15-08, 01:25 AM
Wow...That looks...Just..wow.
So bad...So very bad.
Snowmaker
06-15-08, 08:12 AM
I'm going to withhold judgement until I see the actual movie. There is very little in that preview to really get a jist of the film.
I will say Ray Stevenson looks more like the comic Frank Castle than Jane did.
Wolf359
06-29-08, 05:13 PM
The poster is cool at least. I'll give the movie a chance.
I'm a sucker for a stupid action movie, but this looks like it makes the Dolph Lundgren movie look like the first Die Hard in comparison.
I'll take the Dolph Lundgren Punisher over any Die Hard(or Lethal Weapon)any day.
stingermck
07-02-08, 12:41 PM
Yeah, at least the posters are nice. They are almost more Bradstreet than Bradstreets Punisher 1 posters were. #1, & 3 are my favs. I like the bullet slugs logged in the vest. Full set:
I was just thinking, the tag line doesn't make much sense for his character, and goes against a line in the last movie. "This isn't vengeance, no, this is punishment." Sigh.
RocShemp
07-02-08, 07:36 PM
Though I still miss Jane and I smell a trainwreck, those posters are all kinds of badass. :up:
Dang! Hated the music, but loved a lot of those gags. Good to see the "Picnic origin" and I can't tell, but is Jigsaw's face constantly bloody?
KillerCannibal
07-25-08, 03:58 PM
I'll admit the first trailer did nothing for me. I thought it looked like shit. This new footage, however, looks pretty fucking awesome. Loads of blood, lots of bullets... this looks like it could end up being worth a watch after all.
Zen Peckinpah
07-25-08, 04:08 PM
It doesn't look retarded like the teaser. It still looks very, very silly with all those insane deaths and the dumb Hot Topic-friendly music (re: not gritty enough), but I did enjoy the exploding head and impalement and chair kill and the dude getting his face literally punched in. Looks like Lionsgate is aping on the success of Rambo.
I heard a while back (on AICN I think) Lionsgate talked to Walter Hill about making this movie, who the material would suit perfectly given his uber-badass filmography, but things fell through unfortunately.
fumanstan
07-25-08, 04:31 PM
Stupid music, and the action looked too over the top like Shoot Em Up or something for me.
jpoppe
07-25-08, 04:44 PM
More bad news? (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37642)
Seantn
07-25-08, 05:59 PM
More bad news? (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37642)
That's certainly not encouraging to hear on any film.
bee_01
07-26-08, 09:53 AM
Trailer is nice, except for the horrible music. Ray Stevenson looks great as the title character.
Tarantino
07-26-08, 01:59 PM
Looks at least worth a rental.
= J
stingermck
08-03-08, 10:33 PM
IGN has a new trailer up. This one focuses on Jigsaw. Cheap attempt to cash in on The Joker?
That trailer is much better...unlike The Dark Knight, parents can bring their little children to this film - a superhero treat for the whole family!
The trailer would have been better with a classical music score - you don't mix violent music with violent imagery, you mix soothing, classical music with violent imagery...
scott1598
08-15-08, 07:29 PM
Latino Review states that the movie will be going out with a 'PG-13' due to success of TDK.
That makes a lot of sense. Make a movie based on a character that has a ton of violence, make the movie with a ton of violence and then turn around and edit the violence down to a PG-13 rating due to another movie.
This movie just gets worse with every new announcement.
MikeH5856
08-16-08, 09:07 AM
That makes a lot of sense. Make a movie based on a character that has a ton of violence, make the movie with a ton of violence and then turn around and edit the violence down to a PG-13 rating due to another movie.
This movie just gets worse with every new announcement.
Agreed. I was disappointed in the Thomas Jane version, but had been looking forward to War Zone until I saw the first trailer...it's been downhill since then and the more news that comes out about the production the more disappointed I become. I really don't understand why it's been so difficult for Hollywood to translate The Punisher from comic book to movie. Garth Ennis has provided plenty of material from "Welcome Back, Frank" and the initial MAX line that it should be a no-brainer, and there's plenty of good stories from "War Journal" and "War Zone" comics...it's just such an aggravation.
stingermck
08-16-08, 09:57 AM
LG is stupid to think Punisher will do TDK numbers.
Zen Peckinpah
08-16-08, 10:12 AM
And I thought making Alien vs. Predator and a Die Hard movie with a PG-13 was offensive. Not that this movie interests me, but Jesus, Iron Man and The Dark Knight didn't even have heads being obliterated by shotgun blasts or chair legs getting shoved into eyes.
The PG-13 version of this is probably about 15 minutes long.
Matthew Ackerly
08-16-08, 11:41 AM
The way Lionsgate has handled this film has been a disaster from the get-go.
scott1598
08-16-08, 02:05 PM
LG is stupid to think Punisher will do TDK numbers.
they'd be lucky to do half in its entire run what TDK made it's opening weekend.
Dr Mabuse
08-16-08, 02:55 PM
If it's going to be PG-13 then that IGN trailer is meaningless.
Man this is a train wreck.
Zen Peckinpah
08-16-08, 06:27 PM
they'd be lucky to do half in its entire run what TDK made it's opening weekend.
I called TDK to make $500 mil domestically, and it's almost guaranteed to now. The Punisher won't even make $50 mil, let alone match the first one. Mark my word.
RocShemp
08-16-08, 08:59 PM
Hopefully this will go straight to video and be completely forgotten so Lionsgate can do the right thing: court Thomas Jane back and make the type of Punisher film he was looking foward to making.
stingermck
08-16-08, 10:09 PM
Hopefully this will go straight to video and be completely forgotten so Lionsgate can do the right thing: court Thomas Jane back and make the type of Punisher film he was looking foward to making.
I think that would be best by now. Burn it off on DVD. Would be nice if Marvel could get control back.
^ Isn't that the one-shot were the Punisher mistakes Archie for a serial killer? :lol:
RocShemp
08-17-08, 11:59 PM
I just check wikipedia. Apparently the Punisher mistook Archie for a drug dealer.
The Punisher has made a deal with the government to hunt down a notorious drug dealer named "Red" who is hiding in Riverdale. The deal requires him to forgo his normally lethal methods and apprehend the suspect instead of killing him. This is fortunate, because Red looks exactly like Archie. Archie is mistaken for Red by the Punisher, who is undercover as a teacher at Riverdale High, while Red is mistaken for Archie by his friends. All parties remain completely in character throughout the issue, although Riverdale's inherent innocence compels the Punisher to allow his true quarry to live, for once. The comic ends with the joking suggestion that the next crossover will be between Wolverine and Jughead.
chris_sc77
10-01-08, 09:11 PM
This has officially been Rated R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use. So its got that goin' for it...which is nice.
sauce07
10-02-08, 12:23 PM
well thats good to hear, The Punisher should be R
jpoppe
11-18-08, 02:02 PM
There's 4 pages of new pics over at IGN. (http://media.movies.ign.com/media/382/382367/imgs_1.html)
I've seen the new trailer on TV a few times and it looks like a pretty decent action flick. Should be a lot of fun.
stingermck
11-18-08, 03:15 PM
Yahoo has a 1 min promo with some new footage, looks good:
The bloodbath at the end of the film in an abandoned hotel (a nice tip of the hat to Tim Bradstreet) gives “Rambo’s” big finish a run for its money in terms of sheer sadistic mayhem. Body parts explode, bullets tear down walls, heads crack walls...the violence reaches almost cartoonish levels. Castle shoots, stabs, and even rocket-launches his way through a huge chunk of the New York underworld.
War Zone features people getting their necks punctured by wine glasses, elderly people getting machete-d in half, internal organs being ripped out by hand, and human bodies literally being exploded onscreen. It revels in its goriness. Yet the film still received an ‘R’ rating, from the same people who nearly gave ’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” an ‘NC-17’. Hmmm...
With a body count teetering close to triple digits and a handful of scenes that will force you to look away from the screen, Punisher: War Zone is the Punisher Max the diehards have been waiting for.
The bloodbath at the end of the film in an abandoned hotel (a nice tip of the hat to Tim Bradstreet) gives “Rambo’s” big finish a run for its money in terms of sheer sadistic mayhem. Body parts explode, bullets tear down walls, heads crack walls...the violence reaches almost cartoonish levels. Castle shoots, stabs, and even rocket-launches his way through a huge chunk of the New York underworld.
War Zone features people getting their necks punctured by wine glasses, elderly people getting machete-d in half, internal organs being ripped out by hand, and human bodies literally being exploded onscreen. It revels in its goriness. Yet the film still received an ‘R’ rating, from the same people who nearly gave ’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” an ‘NC-17’. Hmmm...
With a body count teetering close to triple digits and a handful of scenes that will force you to look away from the screen, Punisher: War Zone is the Punisher Max the diehards have been waiting for.
Great point with Zach & Miri. Sounds like fun.
NiCK Crush
11-25-08, 12:55 PM
the first one wasnt half bad... now it appears they are ruining any chance of a successful franchise.
The bloodbath at the end of the film in an abandoned hotel (a nice tip of the hat to Tim Bradstreet) gives “Rambo’s” big finish a run for its money in terms of sheer sadistic mayhem. Body parts explode, bullets tear down walls, heads crack walls...the violence reaches almost cartoonish levels. Castle shoots, stabs, and even rocket-launches his way through a huge chunk of the New York underworld.
War Zone features people getting their necks punctured by wine glasses, elderly people getting machete-d in half, internal organs being ripped out by hand, and human bodies literally being exploded onscreen. It revels in its goriness. Yet the film still received an ‘R’ rating, from the same people who nearly gave ’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” an ‘NC-17’. Hmmm...
With a body count teetering close to triple digits and a handful of scenes that will force you to look away from the screen, Punisher: War Zone is the Punisher Max the diehards have been waiting for.
Sounds precisely like the type of movie Beavis and Butt-head would watch and snicker throughout with frequent "Whoa!'s" and "Cool"s and other assorted nonsensical laughing. I kinda might see this now.
Ravenous
11-25-08, 04:21 PM
The first one wasnt half good either. But a good popcorn flick.
This one looks tons better and Stevens as Castle is perfect casting! Cant wait to see Pullo bust some heads!
Solid Snake PAC
11-30-08, 06:18 PM
I hated the first one. It was a light version of Punny and it had a shit story that was adapted from a great story arc in the comics. It was weak in so many places, I like Jane fine as Castle but it was just a very weak film.
Buy: