Punisher: War Zone

[StoneGold]

Looks like Tom Jane is out.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32673

[nervmeister]

Looks like Tom Jane is out.

Awesome! Bring on Tom Cruise!

[DWEarhart]

Dolph Lundgren sits back, and quietly speaks through a teething grin, "I only needed one movie to get it right."

But I really do think this second one would have set things right, and it sucks that Jane is out.

Oh well. Time for a new Jake Gyllenhall rumor.

[StoneGold]

Maybe this could free up Jane to be Captain America?


Seriously, have him go by his original hair color, he's perfect.

[Legato]

Awesome! Bring on Tom Cruise!

Well I for one dont want the movie to suck.

I say that guy who played in The Hitcher remake would be alright to play Frank. Jake Gyllenhall isn't a bad choice.

[Nate Grey]

Maybe this could free up Jane to be Captain America?


Seriously, have him go by his original hair color, he's perfect.

This is eerie, I was JUST about to post this when I read the first post, but something told me to check the rest of the posts.

Thomas Jane for Captain America!

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

this isn't gonna get made...

[mattx110]

this feels real bad. but it's kinda a victory...

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

in hindsight i agree with some of the aic posters.punisher's is better as a comic book.but not as a movie,because punisher is basically every action film thats already been made.he stands out in the world of super heroes but,in film he's nothing special.

[HomerJay]

Maybe this could free up Jane to be Captain America?
Seriously, have him go by his original hair color, he's perfect.
I agree.
Life imitates art. Puts a fun irony on the end of Civil War #7 doesn't it?

They need to get this right.
Writer: Garth Ennis
Director: Joe Carnahan
Frank Castle: Gerard Butler

[Dennis K]

Count me among the few (apparently) who found the first Punisher movie time well spent at the theater. Now that Jane is no longer with the franchise, I'm not interested in the franchise any longer.

[hoffmandu]

Wow, the script must be real bad. It seriously sounds like nobody wants a piece of this shitbag of a flick. Good. I'm all for it. I definitely want a P2 with Jane, but if it's subpar from the get-go, count me out.

[The Zapper]

I really liked Jane as Frank. I lost a lot of interest in this movie with this news.

[Astaroth]

It's a shame, I liked Thomas Jane as Frank. I'm not so keen on any Punisher sequel without him.

[Jmacq1]

Jane was pretty much the only good thing in the Punisher. But he was so good that he made the whole thing watchable.

It sounds like this one's going to become a vaporfilm, doomed to hover in limbo for eternity.

[Agent Helix]

Man, your movie's GOTTA suck if Tom Jane walks out of it.

[StoneGold]

in hindsight i agree with some of the aic posters.punisher's is better as a comic book.but not as a movie,because punisher is basically every action film thats already been made.he stands out in the world of super heroes but,in film he's nothing special.

Except for one thing: the skull. You keep him suited up as much as humanly possible.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I'd go and get Chris Meloni ( Law & Order ) and throw any amount of money he wants to play Frank Castle. Make it happen ! The man has the look and the intensity to play the part .

[hoffmandu]

How much you wanna bet they go really lame on this one and get somebody like Fiddy Cent............or Gilbert Godfreid or some crap.

[ALJ1127]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=420946

AICN's Quint recently spent some time chatting with actor Thomas Jane on the set of Frank Darabont's "The Mist," so when he got an email from T.J. with some bad news...

He just had to share it with the rest of us: Looks like after a few years of waiting for "The Punisher 2" to get off the ground, Tommy J. has given up on the project. Here's a section of Mr. Jane's email to Mr. Q.: "I am, sadly – no, make that heartbrokenly --- 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."

You can read more here:http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32673



Damn that sucks. Hes a great Frank Castle and now I just don't know about the sequel.

Whats your thoughts on this?

[mattx110]

How much you wanna bet they go really lame on this one and get somebody like Fiddy Cent............or Gilbert Godfreid or some crap.

i thought you were gonna name lame actors?
i dont get the joke...



;) :D

[wingsofdamnation]

thats a damn shame. i really liked seeing him as the punisher. i wonder if they're going to keep going and recast or abandon the movie completly

[BoosterBronze]

This is eerie, I was JUST about to post this when I read the first post, but something told me to check the rest of the posts.

Thomas Jane for Captain America!


Let's be a little more true to the comics. Thomas Jane as the Punisher as Captain America.

[The Punished]

I thought Thomas Jane did a very good job in the movie. I think the fans did too. He even voiced the character in the video game that came out after the movie. I was really looking forward to seeing him go up against JigSaw, I hope some good resolution will come from this by whatever means whether getting him back or getting a new actor to play.

I like the idea of Chris Meloni. Yet, I think I would compare him to Tom when I watched it but only time will tell.

[The Punished]

Since I last replied I have been thinking about replacements who would do the role justice. The one name that just jumps at me and with work would be incredible is Gerard Butler!

Yes, King Leonidas as Frank Castle! Give him dialect lessons, have him train like he did in 300, give him the gruff appearance and personality and we have a big hit Punisher 2!

Who's with me?

C'mon!

Who's with me?

[hoffmandu]

Since I last replied I have been thinking about replacements who would do the role justice. The one name that just jumps at me and with work would be incredible is Gerard Butler!

Yes, King Leonidas as Frank Castle! Give him dialect lessons, have him train like he did in 300, give him the gruff appearance and personality and we have a big hit Punisher 2!

Who's with me?

C'mon!

Who's with me?

Nobody, dude, not one of us.

[DWEarhart]

The new director for Punisher 2

Lexi Alexander - world champion kickboxer, and director of Hooligans

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1065/lexialexanderci0.jpg

...and a bit of a cutie.

[blackdragon6]

didn't see it posted but apparently they found a new punisher too

http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=6041

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Nice choice.....but he's no Meloni.

[Jettison]

new punisher is more convincing to me.

[DWEarhart]

Browsing round the web. Someone got to messing with photoshop and came up with this:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/331/punisher2copyvu0.jpg

Another point that I read elsewhere stayed with me. It might not really matter whom you put in the role. Jane left because of the script, and where the property was headed. He sounded intent on bringing the Punisher that the comic book fans wanted to see and implied that the sequel wasn't going there. But I really like this picture.

It's just something I read. I personally never had any interest. Dolph Lundgren's is still the only version I care to own. Thomas Jane was cool, while the movie itself was flawed, he was cool to watch.

[Nate Grey]

Okay, he does look more like The Punisher than Jane does, I must say. Funny how they drug their feet when Jane was still attached, but starting picking up speed when he left.

And Ray Stevenson, he's the same guy who sung "The Streak", right?

[Sean Walsh]

Nice choice.....but he's no Meloni.

But he IS Titus Pullo.

[jesse_custer]

Let's be a little more true to the comics. Thomas Jane as the Punisher as Captain America.

Haha, that's definitely more feasible. I would just shake my head otherwise.

[blackdragon6]

I must say. Funny how they drug their feet when Jane was still attached, but starting picking up speed when he left.
i felt the same way about the Halloween franchise once mustapha akkaad died.i'm sure thats no coincidence.i find it strange that it got back on track after mustapha akkad's death.cause i was certain that we wouldn't see another Halloween film for a good few years

[DWEarhart]

I seems Variety has confirmed (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969569.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562) Ray Stevenson to be the new Frank Castle.

[I Must Break U]

i liked jane, its a shae he wont be coming back. But the new dude they have( i have never seen him before) looks more like frank maybe it'll work out. I'll catch it on bootleg!

[Lance]

I seems Variety has confirmed (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969569.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562) Ray Stevenson to be the new Frank Castle.

I hated Jane as Castle. He can go work on his shitty comics with Steve Niles now. Good for him.

THIRTEEN!

[Jared]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iyAj0YahRg

If this ends up happening, Marvel's streak of great casting ideas continues. Sure, he looks nothing like Thomas Jane, but he does look more like Frank Castle. Viewers of Rome know he can act and do physical action. My only concern is how well he can drop the accent. God-willing, this movie will let Frank do the kinds of brutal things that Titus Pullo did.

edit: Just checked on IMDB, and damn, that's quite a height difference.

[SnowTrooper]

I really dont like the idea for recasting the lead role in a sequel. I thought Tom Jane was fantastic as The Punisher, another Punisher movie without him is just going to be a big let down for me.

[StoneGold]

If this ends up happening, Marvel's streak of great casting ideas continues. Sure, he looks nothing like Thomas Jane, but he does look more like Frank Castle.

Maybe more like the current version, but Jane looked more like the one drawn back when Castle was still more or less a viable age to work around the MU.

Really though, this isn't news of any kind. It's a couple of promotional shots that have nothing to do with Punisher strung together. This is why people hate Youtube.

[DWEarhart]

From JoBlo.com

The PUNISHER sequel (or maybe "revisiting" is a better term) has a new vigilante (Ray Stevenson of HBO's ROME) and a new director (Lexi Alexander, of GREEN STREET HOOLIGANS and general ass-kicking). And now Superhero Hype says it also comes with a fairly crappy subtitle, THE PUNISHER: WELCOME BACK FRANK. This working title is a reference to the title of popular writer Garth Ennis' early run on Marvel's comic, and perhaps also a sly poke at the last version of the character.

Meanwhile, IGN verifies that the setting has shifted to New York City (where it belongs) and the villain will be disfigured crime boss Jigsaw, who's dealing in biological weaponry and aligning "an army of multi-ethnic criminals" against Punisher. Meanwhile, as Frank Castle continues his crusade against various felons, he must also evade a vengeful FBI agent and an inept NYPD detective assigned to his case (elements of the Ennis comic run).

The Lionsgate/Marvel Studios movie starts shooting next month, with a script being credited to Nick Santora, Kurt Sutter, Matt Holloway and Art Marcum. Let's hope they all eventually got on the same page. At least they're out of Tampa...

[The Zapper]

I really like Ray Stevenson, and if he's Punisher it guaranties that I'll see the movie. I still liked Jane too though.

[DWEarhart]

I'm actually getting geared up to check this one out. I had no enthusiasm for the Thomas Jane's flick even though Thomas Jane, to me, is a badass, but being in Florida - no. I'm glad it's supposed to be set in New York, and that photoshop picture has me excited for Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle.

[The Zapper]

I didn't mind Florida simply because EVERY Marvel hero is in New York. I'm surprised that any hero/villain can walk 50 feet without bumping into some other hero/villain in that town.

[DWEarhart]

For a sequel, anyplace else would have been fine. I get what you're saying about every hero being in New York; I've scratched that surface a few times myself (in comics. For movies - it's all studio universe), but for what was supposed to be the first of possible franchise - New York.

Dolph Lundgren's version still rules. I'm curious as to what this new one holds. Thomas Jane perorated that he was intent on bringing the Punisher that fans loved to the screen, yet he left. He walked for a reason, and whatever that reason was, it may or may not show in this new one.

[The Zapper]

You know, I really liked what you said. First movie in New York, and you can then move him out. Enough to keep hard core fans on both sides happy I think.

[DWEarhart]

I'd be anxious to see how Frank Castle gets by in Iowa. There ain't shiiiiiiiit to do out there except drink, train, and shoot guns.

Actually, that sounds like heaven to The Punisher. Don't know if he drinks, though.

[StoneGold]

I'd be anxious to see how Frank Castle gets by in Iowa. There ain't shiiiiiiiit to do out there except drink, train, and shoot guns.

Actually, that sounds like heaven to The Punisher. Don't know if he drinks, though.

You never saw the first movie.

[DWEarhart]

You never saw the first movie.

Slept through it once; don't remember it for shite. Did he drink? I'm guessing he did.

What I did see, Thomas Jane was cool, but the movie was flat.

[StoneGold]

About 1/8 of the movie was Tom Jane, shirtless, drinking whiskey in a blue lighting.

[Dom]

I just don't want the movie to suck, I could not care less what they call it , who plays what and who is directing.

Just don't make it suck.

They are filming here in Montreal, which is at least grittier than Tampa.

[Jared]

From JoBlo.com

The PUNISHER sequel (or maybe "revisiting" is a better term) has a new vigilante (Ray Stevenson of HBO's ROME) and a new director (Lexi Alexander, of GREEN STREET HOOLIGANS and general ass-kicking). And now Superhero Hype says it also comes with a fairly crappy subtitle, THE PUNISHER: WELCOME BACK FRANK. This working title is a reference to the title of popular writer Garth Ennis' early run on Marvel's comic, and perhaps also a sly poke at the last version of the character.



Hopefully when the movie is actually released the subtitle will be "Warzone."

[Nate Grey]

Wait, wasn't the Jane version essentially "Welcome Back Frank"?

[Monty_Cristo]

maybe Jane can come back as Jigsaw.

[Jared]

Wait, wasn't the Jane version essentially "Welcome Back Frank"?

Aside from the fight with the Russian, and Spacker Dave getting his face torn up, no, not really.

[StoneGold]

maybe Jane can come back as Jigsaw.

In at least one of the scripts, Travolta's son, the one that Frank blew up at the end of the movie, was supposed to come back as Jigsaw. Although he did do that also in the video game, but they talked about doing it in a movie, too. Presumably without Iron Man armor, in what had to be one of the most unexpected cameos in a game, ever.

[Nate Grey]

Punisher 2 trailer :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zS11U_AqGg

Yeah, I saw that fan-made teaser a while ago. The vo makes him sound like he's 90.

[DWEarhart]

It looks like Lionsgate is going with Punisher: War Zone (http://movies.ign.com/articles/816/816483p1.html) for the title.

[blackdragon6]

i'm still worried about the script though.i mean thomas just gave up on it.and i doubt they fixed it...

[The Zapper]

i'm still worried about the script though.i mean thomas just gave up on it.and i doubt they fixed it...

True, but we only have his word at it. It could be just as likely that someone just pissed him off.

[The Punished]

In your opinions...

What do you think the Thomas Jane movie needed to make it a better movie?

[Jared]

It looks like Lionsgate is going with Punisher: War Zone (http://movies.ign.com/articles/816/816483p1.html) for the title.

I'll be expecting my royalty check any day now. :)

[The Zapper]

In your opinions...

What do you think the Thomas Jane movie needed to make it a better movie?

For Frank to not be so nice. The Thomas Jane movie had some good qualities, it just was lacking some things. I enjoyed the movie.

[joeclamzz1]

the actor taking over the punisher role is awesome if you dont think so watch the h.b.o series rome this dude was born to play frank casteglione ohhh by the way did we all forget the punisher is a syko ginzo lol proudto be another syko ginzo
joe "da nose" langone

[Monty_Cristo]

part of me wants Thomas Jane (or Michael Keaton) to show up as Jigsaw. otherwise, i think Jane should have been Captain America.

[DWEarhart]

Writer wants his name taken off of Punisher: War Zone credits. (http://joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=11127)

From his blog. (http://sutterink.blogspot.com/2008/02/punisherwarzone-scribe-amends.html)

[Khan Zor-El]

I only know that the guy from the last Punisher movie is not replaying the role, and Jiggsaw will be the villian.

[HulkSmash666]

The new movie stars Ray Stevenson (Rome), as Frank Castle, Dominic West (the corrupt senator in 300) as Jigsaw, and is supposed to be more along the lines to the Punisher MAX series.

It's gonna be hardcore, according to the cast and crew, being much darker and bloodthirsty than the earlier movies.

It's meant to be completly faithful to the MAX stories, with the uber-violence, swearing, and all-round badassness the comics display.

The bad guys are REALLY bad, but believable. No showboating/grand-standing/posing supervillains. Just straight up evil bastards that are concievably out there in the real world eg, slave traders, corrupt cops/officials, mobsters, enforcers, hitmen, mercenaries etc.

I really hope it lives up to the claim of being faithful the MAX comics. The first two movies were nothing special, and played out like any run-of-the-mill 80's action shooter.

How could they fuck this up? It's such a simple story to tell. Hell, you could even do an awesome adaptation from one of Ennis' stories and it would still trump all over the first two movies in both story and action.

[Naetnalta]

I just hope they either don't mention or rewrite the Punisher's origin from the previous movie.

[hoffmandu]

I was under the impression Jane dropped out because the whole project was crap. I wont be holding my breath.

[Nics23]

If it is done along the lines of the MAX books it will be great. Of course you could get a guy who wants it to be so bloody and action pakced that it takes away from the plot. Thats the thing about the MAX books. They keep the stoy and the action. This could be one of the best action movies ever. Or it could be a fucked up waste of time.

[Huh?]

I will be very surprised if a good Punisher movie ever comes out. The character lends itself too much to cliches. He is essentially the lone-gunman from every shoot-em up ever. The urge is too strong to make a movie about the violence and not about the character for most directors and writers to resist.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

I have faith in this project whereas I'm usually skeptical about this sort of thing. The Jane film was crap, so if his shit-detector was working properly, he never would have made the first on at all. As someone who doesn't think Marvel has put out a watchable film since Blade 2, I'm actually looking forward to Iron Man and The Punisher a great deal.

[Agent Helix]

I will be very surprised if a good Punisher movie ever comes out. The character lends itself too much to cliches. He is essentially the lone-gunman from every shoot-em up ever. The urge is too strong to make a movie about the violence and not about the character for most directors and writers to resist.

The Punisher is just Death Wish, and that movie has already been made.

[HulkSmash666]

For me, most Marvel movies have had something new or groundbreaking.

Spiderman showed us how cool web-swinging really is, and offered fast paced, hyper-kinetic fights.

Blade showed us how to do a super-powered martial arts/vampire movie and was the first taste of what was to come from Marvel.

Daredevil gave us the radar-sense, something not seen in a movie before.

Hulk kind of showed us how cool a Hulk movie could be if it weren't fucked up by Ang Lee. (As bad as the movie was I think the Hulk looked cool, and his little tank smashing rampage gave us a taste of true super-powered destruction).

X-Men showed us you can do a decent team based movie, and that mutant powers actually work on screen.

Iron Man will give us the ultimate gift (until Incredible Hulk comes out) just how far a superhero movie has come since Spiderman 3. A super-powered suit of armour tearing it up on screen is gonna kick serious arse. I think this movie will nail every element needed to make a kick-arse movie, and is gonna set the trend for all future Marvel movies.


So.....

When Punisher comes around, I wanna see something new. As far as action goes, Marvel has set a pretty high standard whe it comes to battle scenes, and Punisher's battle scenes need to be something spectacular to compete against the likes of Iron Man, Hulk 2 or any of the Spidey, Blade, or X-Men movies.

I don't want to see bullshit "Shoot 'Em Up" style gun battles, nor do I want to see the boring gun battles of the last Punisher movie.

I want to see stylish, yet gritty, realistic, down and dirty gunfights.

No Holds Barred. I want heads to explode, blood to gush (think Shindler's List or Saving Private Ryan). I want to feel the impact of the bullets, ala No Country For Old Men. No over exagerated shit. Just straight up uncomprimising gunplay.

And then break out the hand to hand combat. Nothing fancy and martial arty, but simple, direct killing moves. Castle isn't aiming to score points or KO's, he's out to kill these guys. No quarter given.

I want to see Punisher take one of his infamous beatings, soaking up inhuman ammounts of damage, then cut sick and rip peoples eyes out, bite out their throats, pull their noses off with pliers. That type of shit.

I want to get the sense that if you mess with Frank, your dead. He's unstoppable, unreasonable, and down right ruthless. Similar to the sense of terror Anton Chigurh instills in people. You'd definetly cross the street if you seen him coming your way.

If they can get all these things together and gell it with the story, and make me care about Frank's mission, giving me a "get 'em Frank" kind of vibe, then the director has done her job.

[Agent Helix]

Well... that was disturbingly specific.

[jesse_custer]

Goddamn, I must be one of the only people who was satisfied with Dolph Lundgren's "Punisher." Bad but very watchable movie with nonstop violence.

[hugh45]

Goddamn, I must be one of the only people who was satisfied with Dolph Lundgren's "Punisher." Bad but very watchable movie with nonstop violence.

No.... you're not :-)

[DonC]

The word is "finished." And the director is a babe.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/wp-content/2007/08/_news_jp_dbfiles_newsmaker_15B.jpg

[MaxofSteel]

The word is "finished." And the director is a babe.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/wp-content/2007/08/_news_jp_dbfiles_newsmaker_15B.jpg

Do want.___

[DonC]

Do want.___


Want nicely. She's a champion kickboxer.

[Superbeast]

I was under the impression Jane dropped out because the whole project was crap. I wont be holding my breath.

Apparently it wasn't because the script was crap but he wanted rewrites and wanted it to remain closer in tone to the first movie. The director was happy with the script and didn't like things in the first movie like Frank using a bow and arrow or the whole "screwing with their income" stuff in the first film. So Jane left the project because the Punisher was going to be closer to the MAX series portrayal than the first movie's depiction.

[Naetnalta]

The Thomas Jane Punisher movie had too much comic relief going on for a Punisher movie. One of the funnniest scenes I read in a Punisher comic was in a Christmas Special, when the Punisher promises Microchip he won't hurt anyone on Christmas, so he wears a spiked chestplate under a Santa costume and lets the bad guy punch him in the chest. I can see why they wanted to change the tone of the sequel. The intended audience doesn't want to see anything too lighthearted.

Any holy crap, what was up with the way Punisher kills Howard Saint? I just watched the movie the whole way through. The first time, I stopped after the origin.

[Khan Zor-El]

Apparently it wasn't because the script was crap but he wanted rewrites and wanted it to remain closer in tone to the first movie. The director was happy with the script and didn't like things in the first movie like Frank using a bow and arrow or the whole "screwing with their income" stuff in the first film. So Jane left the project because the Punisher was going to be closer to the MAX series portrayal than the first movie's depiction.

What a puss Jane is, the MAX version is what should have been in the first movie. Still, I love the milf in Jane's version.

A movie like the Punisher should've been able to rival the violence seen in Sin City, now this new one can. Sin City II Vs, The Punisher 2!!!

[blackdragon6]

No.... you're not :-)co-sign :biggrin:

[ForeverTaskmaster]

Dolph is the Punisher. Am I glad I have an original DVD of it. Dolph would still be a great Punisher in a new movie.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

i wonder what lucky john thinks about this??

[DWEarhart]

Dolph is the Punisher. Am I glad I have an original DVD of it. Dolph would still be a great Punisher in a new movie.

The best....

[metalhead_dave743]

I think Jane could have been a great frigging Punisher. He was built right, he gave the stone cold look that the Punisher had, and I always pictured Castle to speak a little better than Dolph could pull off.

I did like the 04 Punisher movie but that's what didn't sell me on Jane. The video game did that, and he was freaking AWESOME voicing Castle in the video game.

However this new Punisher movie seems like it's going to be the best of the three.

[Monty_Cristo]

I think Jane could have been a great frigging Punisher. He was built right, he gave the stone cold look that the Punisher had, and I always pictured Castle to speak a little better than Dolph could pull off.

I did like the 04 Punisher movie but that's what didn't sell me on Jane. The video game did that, and he was freaking AWESOME voicing Castle in the video game.

However this new Punisher movie seems like it's going to be the best of the three.

i think Jane would have made a better Captain America. now what are we left with? it's too bad that Dolph Lundgren isn't younger, american, and less cheesy. he'd be a great physical match for Captain America, too.

[StoneGold]

i think Jane would have made a better Captain America. now what are we left with? it's too bad that Dolph Lundgren isn't younger, american, and less cheesy. he'd be a great physical match for Captain America, too.

I think you could still get Jane as Cap, especially now with someone else playing Frank.


Thing about Jane though, he is so much better an actor than the crappy movies he's usually in. And I liked Punisher for the most part, but he's so much of a better actor than Punisher.

[DWEarhart]

Lexi speaks. (http://www.lexialexander.com/)

And may I once again say - Lexi - - DAMN. yum.

[Superbeast]

Lexi speaks. (http://www.lexialexander.com/)

And may I once again say - Lexi - - DAMN. yum.

I think any man with a working third leg would throw her a length and not kick her out of bed, if only because she'd kick the majority of fellas a lot harder. Any woman that wants more violence in her movies is good in my books.

[Sean Whitmore]

I think Jane could have been a great frigging Punisher. He was built right, he gave the stone cold look that the Punisher had, and I always pictured Castle to speak a little better than Dolph could pull off.

I've got no problem with Jane's performance, really. He did his job as well as he could, it's just that the Punisher wasn't there on the page.


SEAN

[metalhead_dave743]

I've got no problem with Jane's performance, really. He did his job as well as he could, it's just that the Punisher wasn't there on the page.


SEAN


Yeah I know, the movie didn't do the Punisher justice one bit. But between Jane's build, his acting and the way portrayed Castle in the videogame... I think he could pull Castle off REALLY well if the Punisher was there on the page.

[SnowTrooper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX36t8QvbVU

Theres the new trailer for Punisher: War Zone

I wasnt sold on this movie at first because I loved the '04 version and I still think it was ridiculous for them to let Tom Jane slip away, but this movie looks pretty badass.

[DrewTheXenocide]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX36t8QvbVU

Theres the new trailer for Punisher: War Zone

I wasnt sold on this movie at first because I loved the '04 version and I still think it was ridiculous for them to let Tom Jane slip away, but this movie looks pretty badass.

Generic cheesy boom! boom! action flick is what it looks like.

[Shady Jack]

Somewhat better quality link - http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/06/12/must-watch-first-punisher-war-zone-teaser-trailer/

I do agree that it looks awesome.

[1WEBHEAD]

Generic cheesy boom! boom! action flick is what it looks like.

Sad but true.

[kmeyers]

I don't know what it is, but this guy just doesn't look like Frank Castle to me.

[Deep_Sleeper]

I never pictured Punisher to be a very agile person.

I was kind of hoping that Punisher would be one of the leading movies that brought back the grungy and gritty action movies we used to get prior to the Matrix...you know, without as much special effects and wire-fu.

Just down and dirty, very messy and heavy, action movies like Die Hard.

[hoffmandu]

I have to admit, I'm liking the new guy. Deep voice, not too pretty, and looks a bit dark under the eyes. Does this flick have what it takes to be deemed good? I have o wonder if it'll even be released in the theaters. I hope so, Dec usually a slow movie month.

[Frank]

Yeah I know, the movie didn't do the Punisher justice one bit. But between Jane's build, his acting and the way portrayed Castle in the videogame... I think he could pull Castle off REALLY well if the Punisher was there on the page.

Well while we're at it you could build up anybody, dye their hair and make them have a gravy voice and they could play the Punisher. That's what my problem was with the first Punisher: Jane could play it but if you look at Jane before the movie he was this good-looking blond actor. And the for whatever reasons they decided that he was gonna play the part. But why? What was the point? How about giving the role to somebody that could BE Punisher. Somebody that would not dare cross in a dark alley somewhere. Because Frank Castle was tough and badass even before his family got killed. So you have to have somebody that has that natural dark edge and could physicaly take anybody out. That's why I think Ray Stevenson is closer to what Punisher would be. Jane did what he could but it came out as "a guy that his family got killed, wants to take his revenge on Maffia guy". But after all this it still didn't felt like he was Punisher. The Punisher should be Punisher to damn freaking moment the camera is fixed on him. He should be Punisher from the first second of the movie to the last second when credit rolls.

[Wannabe]

Generic cheesy boom! boom! action flick is what it looks like.

I came here to say pretty much the same thing.

However, I was gonna point out the greaser hair too.

[Ultrawolf]

Courtesy of IGN (http://media.movies.ign.com/media/382/382367/vids_1.html)

Wow...Ray Stevenson's voice is DARK...
*prays* It looks like it's more MAX Punisher based.

[Skeets]

looks terrible.

[Libaax]

I like his look and voice its so Max Punsher.

Some of his moves,the way he shoots was way too showy and hollywood to be The Punisher we know and love from Max.

Still it looked very promising. Some of the scenes i knew from The Begining Arc.

It doesnt look too cheesy anyway. Stevenson was hardcore as Pullo in Rome. Frank isnt that much difference. Hardcore military both minus the time difference.

[ImpulseUCF]

Looks way to cheesy and silly. Disappionting. :( I still don't understand why they didn't just adapt the origin from Ennis' first arc on MAX Punisher. That is the perfect Punisher movie right there.

[HomerJay]

It looks like Stevenson is putting on a clinic in overacting and it looks a little direct-to-video to me.
However, I do like the fact that Stevenson looks EXACTLY like Tim Bradstreet's Frank Castle.

[Captain Trips]

Is this movie a reboot as well? It looked like there was something in the trailer that briefly showed Frank mourning his family or his wife or something (I watched the trailer yesterday).

Just curious.

[suttercain]

Is this movie a reboot as well? It looked like there was something in the trailer that briefly showed Frank mourning his family or his wife or something (I watched the trailer yesterday).

Just curious.

As far as I know I think this is a sequel to the Thomas Jane one. He dropped out because he didn't like the script.

I am a huge fan of the Punisher MAX series and I do like the look of this film, however it looks low in content. The entire trailer is shooting. I hope this ahs have some type of plot. I am in the minority and I really enjoyed the Thomas Jane Punisher. I liked the characters and I hope War Zone is good... but it appears it may not be.

[Abrojo]

As far as I know I think this is a sequel to the Thomas Jane one. He dropped out because he didn't like the script.


I will look around and see if i can find a link to prove it, but i am 99% sure i read him say it was money. He was told it was going to be a straight to video movie and therefore not enough cash to pay big stars. From the whole thing i took that they didnt want him and took a sideway approach to getting rid of him.

[Agent Helix]

He dropped out because of the script, not because of money.

[Abrojo]

Loved the trailer, his look and voice definately are Punisher.


It looks like Stevenson is putting on a clinic in overacting and it looks a little direct-to-video to me.

didnt look direct to video to me. Effects and what looked like decent explosions and coreography.

Looks way to cheesy and silly.

nah, its just badass :)

It does seem that this Punisher isnt as reality grounded as the first movie. Which has goods and downs, the big upside is we are going to get a badass Frank Castle who totally rips lots of people apart. I dig that.

[jesse_custer]

Guy looks like a wimp trying to be cool.

[The Batman]

Wow, so it looks like Dolph's is going to remain the best of the Punisher movies then.

[Agent Helix]

Guy looks like a wimp trying to be cool.

What, Stevenson? He looks weird here, for some reason, but he's pretty badass in Rome.

[StoneGold]

At the very least, it's a bad trailer. Doesn't mean the movie is going to be bad, but it ain't a good sign. The upside down Punisher bit is just silly.


And it's weird, but throughout the whole Punisher movie, I kept getting this vibe of wow, Jane is way better than this movie is letting him be. Granted, it's just a trailer, but I'm not getting that from the new guy.

[Agent Helix]

Dominic West is easily going to be better than this movie will let him be.

[jesse_custer]

What, Stevenson? He looks weird here, for some reason, but he's pretty badass in Rome.

He might be badass in Rome. I haven't seen it. I'm only going by what I saw in this trailer.

[Agent Helix]

It's that weird turtle-shell getup he's got on, and that HILARIOUS shot of him cradling his dead family while covered in.. soot? Did they shoot at them with bazookas?

[Jared]

It looks like a reboot, with Frank's wife and kids apparently being shot in a park, rather than his entire extended family getting massacred and run down in unintentionally humorous fashion. As silly as that was, I'd rather they not reboot it. We just give the audience a quick reminder that Frank's family was murdered, and he killed those responsible and began a war on crime.

I agree that Stevenson seems to be overdoing it, but it's unfair to judge from the context of a trailer with no extended looks a scene.

I hope they don't go too far with the Max stuff. I don't need to hear about severed genintals in my Punisher stories.

[smartalek]

I don't like the cinematography. Too yellowish. It reminds me of the Crow sequel, and that's not a good thing. I liked the original, because he had minimal wasted movements, everything was straight to the point, none of this John Woo, gun in each hand spinning around business. I see too much sliding around dramatic gun play for my liking. Comes off as too generic. Punisher should be efficient, and to the point. Not balletic.

[suttercain]

Wow, so it looks like Dolph's is going to remain the best of the Punisher movies then.
FOR SHAME... FOR.... SHAME!

[DWEarhart]

FOR SHAME... FOR.... SHAME!

Nope. Truth. All truth.

[suttercain]

He dropped out because of the script, not because of money.

Agent Helix is correct...

Quote from the man himself

"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."

Source:
http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5685

[suttercain]

Nope. Truth. All truth.

I respectfully disagree. Dolph VS. Thomas... I would say Thomas all the way.

[DWEarhart]

And, there is a reason why one of the writers left the project.

[DWEarhart]

I respectfully disagree. Dolph VS. Thomas... I would say Thomas all the way.

That's cool. I prefer Dolph.

[suttercain]

And, there is a reason why one of the writers left the project.

Yeah at first Kurt Sutter was pretty honest and you could tell he hated the direction they took the script. After he got a lot of hate email he changed his story and said "I took my name off the movie for a few reasons. The obvious reason is because I didn't deserve credit. There was very little of my draft that stayed in the shooting script. The one big one they kept, was the set piece where we see how Russo becomes Jigsaw. It's pretty brutal. Glad they kept that."

[blackdragon6]

Yeah at first Kurt Sutter was pretty honest and you could tell he hated the direction they took the script. After he got a lot of hate email he changed his story and said "I took my name off the movie for a few reasons. The obvious reason is because I didn't deserve credit. There was very little of my draft that stayed in the shooting script. The one big one they kept, was the set piece where we see how Russo becomes Jigsaw. It's pretty brutal. Glad they kept that."i always had bad feelings about the punisher because of the reasons jane mentioned...

[Libaax]

It looks like a reboot, with Frank's wife and kids apparently being shot in a park, rather than his entire extended family getting massacred and run down in unintentionally humorous fashion. As silly as that was, I'd rather they not reboot it. We just give the audience a quick reminder that Frank's family was murdered, and he killed those responsible and began a war on crime.

I agree that Stevenson seems to be overdoing it, but it's unfair to judge from the context of a trailer with no extended looks a scene.

I hope they don't go too far with the Max stuff. I don't need to hear about severed genintals in my Punisher stories.


That means you have never read Max Punisher, we who have read will be lucky if we got 1% as much quality,plot as that series.


Looks like you will get what you want. Typical lame action movie ala 90's comics Punisher.


By the look of the action in the trailer.

[bushboy]

I liked Tom Jane's Punisher movie. I also liked the 90's Punisher series. I'm a bit apprehensive about this trailer, but I'll remain optimistic.

[SnowTrooper]

Does anybody know if this movie will have any tie-ins with Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, and so on? Or will this movie be in a stand-alone universe like the Spider-Man movies because of movie rights and studios?

[StoneGold]

Does anybody know if this movie will have any tie-ins with Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, and so on? Or will this movie be in a stand-alone universe like the Spider-Man movies because of movie rights and studios?

It might be standalone more because Punisher doesn't fit into the Avengers. For all the talk of crossovers, notice it's only with Avengers characters so far.

[jesse_custer]

If they were to ever have, say, the Hulk appear in a Punisher movie, I think he should dispatch the skull-chested man with a simple thump as he did in Peter David's comic.

[SnowTrooper]

I didnt really mean that they cross over and fight each other. I just think it would be cool if Bruce Banner or Tony Stark were watching the News and they were talking about Frank Castle. Have some kind of tie-in like that or maybe even a brief cameo.

[Agent Helix]

I think Marvel is trying to keep its other franchises well clear of the stink emanating from this one.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i will say this, if nothing else the part of the trailer that had frank loading his guns on the other side of the door while 12 other goons are loading there's on the opposite side was pretty tense. so i'll give the trailer that much.

[MaxofSteel]

I honestly see nothing wrong with the trailer. Sure, there's nothing overly spectacular about it, but then again, I felt more or less the same way about the first Incredible Hulk trailer, and I ended up enjoying the film a lot.

[Mr.EZ]

I honestly see nothing wrong with the trailer. Sure, there's nothing overly spectacular about it, but then again, I felt more or less the same way about the first Incredible Hulk trailer, and I ended up enjoying the film a lot.

Well, his family didn't die in a park in the first one, yet that's what shown in the trailer. You can barely make out the skull on his chest, and the hanging upside down from a ceiling spinning while unloading two pistols was done better in "Boondock Saints."

I actually planned on seeing this one, but the trailer killed any interest I had.

[jesse_custer]

the hanging upside down from a ceiling spinning while unloading two pistols was done better in "Boondock Saints."

That did seem like unnecessary and silly mimicry.

[Mr.EZ]

That did seem like unnecessary and silly mimicry.

A lot of fans are still patiently waiting for Boondock Saints 2 and I do believe that this Punisher flick is trying to gain those fans.

Damn shame Troy Duffy's never going to make All Saint's Day, but to take this as a substitute is not an option for me.

[StoneGold]

A lot of fans are still patiently waiting for Boondock Saints 2 and I do believe that this Punisher flick is trying to gain those fans.


Dear god, who?


Sorry, not a fan.

[MaxofSteel]

Well, his family didn't die in a park in the first one, yet that's what shown in the trailer.

I was under the impression that War Zone was a reboot, and therefore not tied to the details of the previous Punsher flick(s).

EDIT: But with a Name like "Punisher 2", I'm guessing it isn't much of a reboot after all.

You can barely make out the skull on his chest

I agree with this.

and the hanging upside down from a ceiling spinning while unloading two pistols was done better in "Boondock Saints."

Never seen it.

[jesse_custer]

Dear god, who?


Sorry, not a fan.

A few hundred people. I thought the first one was OK (the story behind the film is actually better than the film itself) and see no need to expand.

[StoneGold]

A few hundred people. I thought the first one was OK (the story behind the film is actually better than the film itself) and see no need to expand.

I figure some people like it, as there are these painted posters things of it being sold on Venice Beach next to Pulp Fiction imagery. But then I saw it, and ye gods, the suck.

[jesse_custer]

I figure some people like it, as there are these painted posters things of it being sold on Venice Beach next to Pulp Fiction imagery.

Haha, how appropriate that it is beside the film of the director it tries to imitate.

[Dr. Banner]

Boondock Saints was really kind of retarded. From the trailer, this new Punisher movie looks retarded too.

You'd think the Punisher would be a no-brainer.

[StoneGold]

Boondock Saints was really kind of retarded. From the trailer, this new Punisher movie looks retarded too.

You'd think the Punisher would be a no-brainer.

Eh, other than the skull, Punisher is basically the same as any other 80s vengeance movie. And a lot of those were crap.

[StoneGold]

Boondock Saints was really kind of retarded. From the trailer, this new Punisher movie looks retarded too.

You'd think the Punisher would be a no-brainer.

Eh, other than the skull, Punisher is basically the same as any other 80s vengeance movie. And a lot of those were crap.

[TradePaperbackTraitor]

i will say this, if nothing else the part of the trailer that had frank loading his guns on the other side of the door while 12 other goons are loading there's on the opposite side was pretty tense. so i'll give the trailer that much.

That was probably the single coolest scene in the trailer.

Only to quickly be forgotten with the gayness of Frank Castle hanging upside down from a chandelier and spinning in circles while shooting. LOL

I really hope this movie turns out well for Ray Stevenson's sake. I've been a big fan of his ever since Romo on HBO. Watching the teaser makes me wonder if the director screwed up the entire vision. Not even his fight scenes look that impressive, and this is the same guy who made hacking off arms and legs look easy in the aforementioned series.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Eh, other than the skull, Punisher is basically the same as any other 80s vengeance movie. And a lot of those were crap.
like i said...

in hindsight i agree with some of the aic posters.punisher's is better as a comic book.but not as a movie,because punisher is basically every action film thats already been made.he stands out in the world of super heroes but,in film he's nothing special.

[StoneGold]

like i said...

Thing is, it doesn't mean it can't be done, and done well. I liked Death Sentence a lot, and that was just a crappy 80s vengeance flick, except done in the last year or two. Hell, slap a skull on Kevin Bacon, make him a little more proficient at killing, and it's not that bad a Punisher film on its own.

[TradePaperbackTraitor]

lin hindsight i agree with some of the aic posters.punisher's is better as a comic book.but not as a movie,because punisher is basically every action film thats already been made.he stands out in the world of super heroes but,in film he's nothing special.

sadly... I agree.

[kalorama]

Eh. Like other's have said, pretty generic-looking action revenge flick. I'm really not impressed by what I see/hear of the lead actor. I actually thought Tom Jane's performance was the one otustanding thing about the last Punisher movie.

[StoneGold]

I actually thought Tom Jane's performance was the one otustanding thing about the last Punisher movie.

That's because, to quote him in Arrested Development, "I'm Tom Jane."



I was watching The Mist last night. Put him back on the Punisher workout regimen, have his hair go back to its natural color, he'd so make an awesome Captain America. He's got the chin, the build, the voice, the presence, everything.

[Monty_Cristo]

That's because, to quote him in Arrested Development, "I'm Tom Jane."



I was watching The Mist last night. Put him back on the Punisher workout regimen, have his hair go back to its natural color, he'd so make an awesome Captain America. He's got the chin, the build, the voice, the presence, everything.

he has the chin? :confused:
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/40/151748-173161-punisher_super.jpg

so the new guy doesn't have the chin then? if he does, why not just force him to work out? his voice sounds great from the little snippet i've heard. and his presence hasn't been established yet. he does a decent job on ROME.

[StoneGold]

he has the chin? :confused:

With a mask like Cap's, you need a strong chin, as it's the part of your face that gets the most play. Part of the problem with Val Kilmer's Batman was his jawline had no definition in the costume.

http://www.youthink.com/quiz_images/quiz1053outcome3.jpg

[Monty_Cristo]

With a mask like Cap's, you need a strong chin, as it's the part of your face that gets the most play. Part of the problem with Val Kilmer's Batman was his jawline had no definition in the costume.

http://www.youthink.com/quiz_images/quiz1053outcome3.jpg

ok, but are you saying that Ray doesn't have a defined jawline? i'm just clarifying. from what i've seen Ray Stevenson looks more like the character currently appearing in the Punisher title; hair, jaw, everything.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2224789248/tt0450314

Thomas Jane as Punisher was waste imo. seems pretty obvious to me that he's the spitting image of Marc Spector; a role that would have allowed him more emotional range. Frank Castle is a character who is, for all intents, dead on the inside. why would an actor want that kind of role?

[StoneGold]

ok, but are you saying that Ray doesn't have a defined jawline? i'm just clarifying.

All I'm saying is that Tom Jane has the jawline to play Cap. As well as all the other attributes. Except he probably doesn't want to do it. Maybe. Supposedly he didn't want to do comic book movies before Punisher, now he's directing them starring Ron Perlman.


Huh, gotta be a way to sneak Ron in as a Nazi baddie, ain't there?

[Monty_Cristo]

All I'm saying is that Tom Jane has the jawline to play Cap. As well as all the other attributes. Except he probably doesn't want to do it. Maybe. Supposedly he didn't want to do comic book movies before Punisher, now he's directing them starring Ron Perlman.


Huh, gotta be a way to sneak Ron in as a Nazi baddie, ain't there?

i'd be for it. he's already a scary looking guy and played a skinhead in Blade movies.

[StoneGold]

i'd be for it. he's already a scary looking guy and played a skinhead in Blade movies.

And a Russian in Enemy at the Gates. And if the 80s taught me anything, there's no difference between Germans and Russians.

[juggling man]

http://www.superherohype.com/news/punishernews.php?id=7337

[StumboTheGiant]

Seen it didnt like it. The skull is too small and the neck thing looks stupid. Hope there is a better trailer soon. Otherwise will wait for this on dvd.

[Fatguy]

This looks silly. Makes me sad they arent following up on he last film, I really, really liked Thomas Jane a the Punisher.

[booga]

i guess im alone in thinking it reeked a degree of awesomeness,looks like ray's fitting the role better then folk hoped

[kalorama]

I find the voice particularly unsatisfying. He sounds like a guy who's putting a real effort into sounding like a badass. It's too theatrical. Jane's darkness came across as more soul deep, like she'd had all the light and happiness beaten out of him.

[booga]

yehh 'cos frank is such a soulful, emotions on the table kinda dude

[kalorama]

Uh ... no. But hey, thanks for stopping by.

[FearEmbodied]

I thought the trailer was fine. It had the look I figured they were going for, Stevenson's accent was good, more people are seen getting hurt in this trailer alone than all the people who were killed in the 04 movie combined.

I liked the 04 movie, I thought Jane did a great job. But at the same time I've got high hopes for this movie, most of what I've read and seen from it has been good. Even though I liked the 04 movie I'm a Punisher fan first and foremost. The 04 movie was obviously flawed, the changes for this one were needed.

I've read the first draft of the script that Lexi wrote, it wasn't bad at all. I've got little to no doubt that Stevenson will be the quintessential portrayal of the Punisher on the big screen. He's got Jane beat on looks alone.

[RazorBats79]

Looks like Thomas Jane was right. This is one movie I wont be bothering with.
The new Punisher is a retard! Imo of course.

[Abrojo]

I enjoyed Jane but he was a touch bit too sentimental. Punisher should have lost more contact with reality. Punisher thinking suicide? lol, that was sentimental stuff which i thought was cool, but its not very Punisher. Thomas Jane wanted a sentimental Frank Castle dwelling with his feelings, and if that was the movie they wanted to make then he would have been good for it, however it seems it wasnt.
Also the benefit of a reboot is we get rid of all that "cop" origin crap with Travolta.

Stevenson is a very good actor who has has a physique more similar to Frank's and is better suited to a more MAX'ish approach which is what they want.

Only the swinging upside down is what i didnt like, too flashy for him.

[Alex]

Oh well. Time for a new Jake Gyllenhall rumor.

Oh god, that wasn't really a rumor was it?
The guy who built his fame on playing angsty teens as the punisher?
Give the guy spiderman if you want him in a movie.
SG's link kinda freaked me out, as jane was in the first pos punisher movie, and pulled out of the second one because he thought it was bad.
That either means he has no taste, or the movie is really really bad.

[meethraa]

I just saw the trailer for this and now I'm thinking that maybe Elektra wasn't so bad...

[suttercain]

I just saw the trailer for this and now I'm thinking that maybe Elektra wasn't so bad...

What about "Steel"?

[Jettison]

too artsy....too Batman Begins....too Phantom of the Opera.

Should be more like Grindhouse.

[Jared]

Also the benefit of a reboot is we get rid of all that "cop" origin crap with Travolta.



I always hated that the Lundgren, Tom Jane, and Ultimate versions all make Frank a cop. No damnit, that shouldn't be part of his character! He's a soldier*. He fights wars, that's the only perspective from which he approaches crime.



*I know, technically a marine

[KenK]

I always hated that the Lundgren, Tom Jane, and Ultimate versions all make Frank a cop. No damnit, that shouldn't be part of his character! He's a soldier*. He fights wars, that's the only perspective from which he approaches crime.



*I know, technically a marine

Jane's Punisher was a Gulf War veteran, then an FBI agent.

[Alex]

I just saw the trailer for this and now I'm thinking that maybe Elektra wasn't so bad...

On the plus side, this movie doesn't seem to finish the punisher playing pranks on people.
....
Or lighting a car park on fire in the shape of a skull. Because punisher advertises.

[Missaukeean]

Having seen the trailer for the upcoming Punisher War Zone (PWZ) movie I have to say I'm a little disconcerted about the bright-lights and garish colors -- reminding me of the direction the Batman franchise took after Burton left the director's chair. I do hope the producers of PWZ adhere to the dark-side of the title, channeling more of the Garth Ennis atmosphere than the campy "super-hero" feel. I will add, however, I like the intitial impression Ray Stevenson gives as Frank Castle.

[The Xenos]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=56731

unisher: War Stands On Own

Art Marcum, co-writer of the upcoming sequel film Punisher: War Zone, told SCI FI Wire that he and writing partner Matt Holloway (Iron Man) built upon the initial draft of the script penned by Prison Break writer-producer Nick Santora.

"The core idea in that script was really good," Marcum said in an interview. "That was one of the reasons why we sparked to it. The other thing we sparked to was when we went and started discovering the comics, the Garth Ennis series. We loved it. So immediately we just thought that sensibility--Garth's sensibility--needs to be in the script and on the screen. So that was our starting point."

War Zone, based on the Marvel Comics series, stars Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle/the Punisher. Other cast members include Julie Benz as Angela, Dominic West as Jigsaw, Doug Hutchison as Looney Bin Jim, Wayne Knight as Linus Lieberman/Microchip and Dash Mihok as Detective Soap.

Marcum said that War Zone, a follow-up to 2004's The Punisher, is not an origin story. But, he added, "if you've never seen The Punisher, there's enough in [War Zone] where you get caught up. This is more about the nature of vigilantism." The 2004 film starred Thomas Jane as the title character; the franchise was also adapted into a movie in 1989, starring Dolph Lundgren.

I find ti interesting that they worked Microchip into the film, even while citing Ennis's run. Though we also have Detective Soap in there.

Personally, I thought the trailer sucked, but trailers usually aren't done by the people who make the film. I've totally given up on using trailers to judge how good or bad a film is.

[kalorama]

I find ti interesting that they worked Microchip into the film, even while citing Ennis's run.

Why is that interesting?

[josh straightedge]

I like the trailer. I heard this movie was to be rated a hard "R" and that it borrows a lot from the Ennis stuff so hopefully there'll be a lot of ass being kicked in this movie.

[suttercain]

PUNISHER WAR ZONE POSTERS:
http://www.latinoreview.com/news/punisher-war-zone-posters-4930

[The Xenos]

Why is that interesting?
Wait.. was Microchip in some of those issues? Hmmm.. I forget now.
I like the trailer. I heard this movie was to be rated a hard "R" and that it borrows a lot from the Ennis stuff so hopefully there'll be a lot of ass being kicked in this movie.
They said the same of the last one. The question is, can they borrow it well or will they inject generic action film stuff like last time. Will they maintain the twistedness of characters like Soap and the feel of Ennis's books?

[Lester C.]

Wait.. was Microchip in some of those issues? Hmmm.. I forget now.

They said the same of the last one. The question is, can they borrow it well or will they inject generic action film stuff like last time. Will they maintain the twistedness of characters like Soap and the feel of Ennis's books?

Microchip was featured heavily in the first arc of Ennis' first 6 issues under the Max imprint. He was mentioned by name only in Ennis' Marvel Knights run and only in passing.

[freddy1428]

This is surely one the most violent and amazing trailer I have never seen, it seem very great, I hope you enjoy that, it seem lot more darker and intense that the Dark Knight movie imo.

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=L2IR9ZZxqYU

[We R. Venom]

Jesus! That was disgustingly awesome! Great stuff.

[Thursaiz]

Nice to see it is more of what I expected from a Punisher movie. Looks like the right origin, too.

Jigsaw looks pretty cool.

[jesse_custer]

Looks more violent than The Knight. That's about it.

Still unimpressed.

[MaxofSteel]

This is lookin' better now. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna enjoy this.

[Superbeast]

Did he slice the Mob Boss at the head of the table's skull in half with a machete?

Nice.

Jigsaw breaking necks and Frank shooting people's noses off... looks like fun.

[hoffmandu]

Definitely looks like they're bringing a new level of brutality to this installment. Anyone know if this is a reboot?

[MaxofSteel]

Anyone know if this is a reboot?

That's what I heard. I feel like the director may have confirmed it too but I'm not sure.

[Damiean Dark]

looks a million times better then the first trailer im glad they show Castles emotional state cold blooded killer and then emotional wreck when visiting his wifes grave.

one thing i want to see is castle getting beaten up shot and hurt i dont just want an invincible one man army in the punisher he is a highly skilled man but still a man nevertheless.

[Peter Griffin]

I liked the first (or second...? the tom jane one)punisher. this one looks even better.

[Donald M.]

That's what I heard. I feel like the director may have confirmed it too but I'm not sure.

Well, the flashback which shows Frank's family dead at a picnic in the park instead of at the beach or wherever points to this as well.

All these superhero reboots are good thing in my opinion. Maybe this means we'll get a decent, Affleck free version of Daredevil at some point.

[Donald M.]

Of course, the Rambo trailer looked awesome too. How did that turn out?

No seriously, I haven't seen it yet.

[Guest_1001]

I'm still unimpressed by this. I'm not a prude but I'm not a violence-monger either (or is it "violence-whore"? Hm) and it's kind of off-putting. It all seems to add up to what looks like a very immature movie, with violence just for the sake of it. Not quite to Saw's level but still . . .

[SpydaWeb]

Rambo 4 was awesome and even more violent than the trailers.

I'm iffy on the quality of the storytelling for this new Punisher, but I'm stoked that they've finally brought the "take no prisoners" mentality back to the live action character.

Thomas Jane is a nice guy, but the film version he was in was a lame interpretation of the character.

[Captain Trips]

Definitely looks their bringing a new level of brutality to this installment. Anyone know if this is a reboot?

I saw Ray Stevenson on G4 last night at Comic Con and he said that it is a reboot and not a sequel to Thomas Jane's movie.

[Gary Joyce]

Still looks like Direct to Dvd fare to me.

[kalorama]

Still looks like Direct to Dvd fare to me.
yeah, this one actually makes it look even cheesier than the first one.

[Pauly T]

There are only three words to describe what I want in a Punisher movie:

Orgy. Of. Violence.

This trailer shows promise...

[Libaax]

The trailer looks much better than the first one. Somethings looks too cheesy for Punisher Max feel they are trying to go for. Frank Sliding and shooting,spining around and shooting etc

I do like the level of gory violence ONLY if the story is there.


Other the violence is pointless.

[Abrojo]

yeah, this one actually makes it look even cheesier than the first one.

Yeah, some pseudo-intelectuals think that there is no art or posibility of quality in brutal violence. Of course that kind of people often forget how brutal Braveheart or Saving Private Ryan was and therefore remember that the showcasing of some brutal violence in one (comicon) trailer by any means says anything about the movie.

Or do we really need 3-4 oscar quality actors like Iron Man or Batman for a superhero movie for it to be decent?

[Donald M.]

Why are people acting like the Punisher is some deep character? His family was only killed once, but he's been killing criminals indiscriminately for like 30 years!

Oh, I'm so angst ridden. Killing bad guys is such grim business. What does it all mean.

Screw that.

He's a lunatic vigilante in the mode of movies like Death Wish and Men's Adventure novels. Let him loose! Make the movie as bloody and silly and immature as they can, why try to pretend this is a serious character?

[kalorama]

Yeah, some pseudo-intelectuals think that there is no art or posibility of quality in brutal violence. Of course that kind of people often forget how brutal Braveheart or Saving Private Ryan was and therefore remember that the showcasing of some brutal violence in one (comicon) trailer by any means says anything about the movie.

Or do we really need 3-4 oscar quality actors like Iron Man or Batman for a superhero movie for it to be decent?

Dude, you'll go blind from all that squinting trying to read between those imaginary lines.

Did I say anything about ... well, anything you mentioned? Nope. I said it looked cheesy. And, well ... it does.

And you're comparing the Punisher to Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan? Really?

[Donald M.]

Yeah, some pseudo-intelectuals think that there is no art or posibility of quality in brutal violence. Of course that kind of people often forget how brutal Braveheart or Saving Private Ryan was and therefore remember that the showcasing of some brutal violence in one (comicon) trailer by any means says anything about the movie.

Or do we really need 3-4 oscar quality actors like Iron Man or Batman for a superhero movie for it to be decent?

The Punisher's a superhero movie?

I didn't realize shooting people in the face was a super power.

[Damiean Dark]

Why are people acting like the Punisher is some deep character? His family was only killed once, but he's been killing criminals indiscriminately for like 30 years!

Oh, I'm so angst ridden. Killing bad guys is such grim business. What does it all mean.

Screw that.

He's a lunatic vigilante in the mode of movies like Death Wish and Men's Adventure novels. Let him loose! Make the movie as bloody and silly and immature as they can, why try to pretend this is a serious character?

Have you seent he new trailer?

[Damiean Dark]

Why are people acting like the Punisher is some deep character? His family was only killed once, but he's been killing criminals indiscriminately for like 30 years!

Oh, I'm so angst ridden. Killing bad guys is such grim business. What does it all mean.

Screw that.

He's a lunatic vigilante in the mode of movies like Death Wish and Men's Adventure novels. Let him loose! Make the movie as bloody and silly and immature as they can, why try to pretend this is a serious character?

I think its pretty deep i see Punisher as a more realistic batman his family was murdered and he completely snapped and vowed to kill or "punish" all criminals.

[Donald M.]

Have you seent he new trailer?

Yes, of course I have.

My point is the trailer represents exactly the direction I think a Punisher movie should take.

[Donald M.]

I think its pretty deep i see Punisher as a more realistic batman his family was murdered and he completely snapped and vowed to kill or "punish" all criminals.

More realistic only in the sense that wanting to kill the people who hurt your family is a more realistic response than training for 15 years then putting on a bat suit and punching muggers.

The Punisher is action hero in a superhero world and it only really works when the superheroes are nowhere to be found. So . . . good job, Marvel.

[Abrojo]

And you're comparing the Punisher to Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan? Really?

Hmmm not directly as you imply, i was using them as examples as to why the line of reasoning "extreme violence = bad movie" was flawed. Those movies apply extreme violence and yet are among the best ever made. Of course its extremely unlikely (to put it mildly) Punisher will even be near those, but the argument stands: Violence is irrelevant to quality.

[kalorama]

Hmmm not directly as you imply, i was using them as examples as to why the line of reasoning "extreme violence = bad movie" was flawed. Those movies apply extreme violence and yet are among the best ever made. Of course its extremely unlikely (to put it mildly) Punisher will even be near those, but the argument stands: Violence is irrelevant to quality.

I never made the argument that "extreme violence = bad movie" so implying that I did by quoting my post about the trailer looking cheesy was both misleading and did nothing to further your point.

[Libaax]

Why are people acting like the Punisher is some deep character? His family was only killed once, but he's been killing criminals indiscriminately for like 30 years!

Oh, I'm so angst ridden. Killing bad guys is such grim business. What does it all mean.

Screw that.

He's a lunatic vigilante in the mode of movies like Death Wish and Men's Adventure novels. Let him loose! Make the movie as bloody and silly and immature as they can, why try to pretend this is a serious character?

Because some of the scenes are directly from Max Punisher. Since you have clearly not read it, that series is dark realism with stories that isnt about ONLY killing and being immature.....

They seems to mix too much of Max Punisher and the silly lame action movie ala hollywood.


Lack of story is what have made other Punisher movies a joke....

[Donald M.]

Because some of the scenes are directly from Max Punisher. Since you have clearly not read it, that series is dark realism with stories that isnt about ONLY killing and being immature.....

They seems to mix too much of Max Punisher and the silly lame action movie ala hollywood.


Lack of story is what have made other Punisher movies a joke....

Wrong.

Realism, clearly, is a relative term as people are also calling The Dark Knight realistic. It's many things and many of them god, but it's not that.

The Punisher is an immature character born from the immature desire to see criminals punished outside the law.

Very little of any maturity to be found in Punisher Max came from Frank Castle.

You also seem to have a flawed notion of what made the other Punisher movies bad. In my opinion what made them bad was too much focus on the actual Punisher as opposed to building up the characters around him and a lack or realizing that if you're going to focus on the Punisher, go all the way with it or all you'll have is Death Wish with a guy in a skull shirt.

Yes, a Punisher movie that isn't all blood and guts is possible, but it wouldn't be a Punisher movie, it would be a movie featuring the Punisher. The Punisher is a cypher, a stereotypical "hard man" with an almost supernatural ability to kill bad guys while somehow himself avoiding death.

The Punisher kills because he can't forgive the loss of his family. He pushes himself because part of him wants to die. These are not deep revelations and do not make for a deep character. The Punisher is at best a catalyst for a good crime story. War Journal, at least from the look of the new trailer, may be the best you could hope for in a decent movie focusing on the Punisher.

[Jared]

That trailer was vastly better than the previous one. A less gory version of that is what they should be playing in the theaters.

All a Punisher movie needs to be is a well executed (no pun intended), dark action flick. It looks like they might have pulled that off here.

Terrible song though. And people were complaining about Smashing Pumpkins in the Watchmen trailer?!

[Libaax]

Wrong.

Realism, clearly, is a relative term as people are also calling The Dark Knight realistic. It's many things and many of them god, but it's not that.

The Punisher is an immature character born from the immature desire to see criminals punished outside the law.

Very little of any maturity to be found in Punisher Max came from Frank Castle.

You also seem to have a flawed notion of what made the other Punisher movies bad. In my opinion what made them bad was too much focus on the actual Punisher as opposed to building up the characters around him and a lack or realizing that if you're going to focus on the Punisher, go all the way with it or all you'll have is Death Wish with a guy in a skull shirt.

Yes, a Punisher movie that isn't all blood and guts is possible, but it wouldn't be a Punisher movie, it would be a movie featuring the Punisher. The Punisher is a cypher, a stereotypical "hard man" with an almost supernatural ability to kill bad guys while somehow himself avoiding death.

The Punisher kills because he can't forgive the loss of his family. He pushes himself because part of him wants to die. These are not deep revelations and do not make for a deep character. The Punisher is at best a catalyst for a good crime story. War Journal, at least from the look of the new trailer, may be the best you could hope for in a decent movie focusing on the Punisher.


Who said Max Punisher was about him being mature ? He was a tool to make great stories.


Focusing on him doesnt work so well because we all know he is too much cliche if its only about him. What makes him on of my favorite characters thanks to Max series is for what reason he was on his latest crusade. Stories like Slavers,Mother Russia,Widowmaker.


The movie will look good if they tell why he is doing what he is doing and im not talking about what happened 30 years ago.


The trailer had one real promising thing which was seeing him break down when he was on his family's grave site. Thats what i hope for beteween the action.


Thats only me who has been fan since Ennis took over. Who expect more of Frank than only killing sprees..

Although i dont mind if its only action if its done well. I remember the marvel knight series which was only bloody fun action plus some nice humor.

[suttercain]

I didn't realize shooting people in the face was a super power.

Male porn stars have been doing it for years.

[Royal]

I saw Ray Stevenson on G4 last night at Comic Con and he said that it is a reboot and not a sequel to Thomas Jane's movie.

I feel bad for Ray.

I wonder when he found out they pulled off Lexi and are re-editting the picture to fit in as a sequel to Jane's?

[The Zapper]

I'm not sure it's going to be good, but I still want to see this. Mostly for Ray Stevenson.

[StoneGold]

Argh. That looked like a really good fan film. Which is still kind of a step down from a really bad movie. At least in production value. It just vibes cheap. Well, studio cheap, expensive for a bunch of guys guerilla shooting it in their spare time.

[Hypestyle]

I need a list of Punisher villains, who should be in the next films?

[Royal]

Yakuza Guy #387
Redneck #22
Guido #77773

[Jake V]

Yakuza Guy #387
Redneck #22
Guido #77773

You're forgetting Russian #439 and Vague Eastern European #217

[kalorama]

You're forgetting Russian #439 and Vague Eastern European #217

To say nothing of Dirty Cop #12,314.

[Royal]

To say nothing of Dirty Cop #12,314.

Overrated. #12,314 skirted by on who was writing him.

Now, Dirty Cop #3,761....that's a badass.

[Jared]

Guy Frank knows from 'Nam #879.

[AlyssaX]

I'll enjoy this as long as they have Mark Collie somehow...loved that guy. :biggrin:

[juggling man]

Lexi Alexander fired from Punisher War Zone (http://geeksofdoom.com/2008/07/30/lexi-alexander-fired-from-punisher-war-zone/)

[Deathstroke]

I saw the trailer last night on On Demand. It looked unbelievably terrible.

[Agent Helix]

She and Tom Jane can go get coked outta their heads and cry about the whole thing.

[Jettison]

Movies gonna be a disaster....haha

[Lt. Kettch]

Is he wearing a kevlar turtle neck?


"Sometimes I'd like to get my hands on GOD" Way to cheesy.

[StoneGold]

So, this coming down on Marvel Pictures or Lionsgate? Because I got to talk to Jane at SDCC, he's cool with Marvel, but hates Lionsgate.

[Royal]

Me thinks it's Lionsgate.

[Jake V]

So, this coming down on Marvel Pictures or Lionsgate? Because I got to talk to Jane at SDCC, he's cool with Marvel, but hates Lionsgate.

My guess is Lionsgate, due to the new trailer being cut like it was another Saw movie.

[DWEarhart]

So, this coming down on Marvel Pictures or Lionsgate? Because I got to talk to Jane at SDCC, he's cool with Marvel, but hates Lionsgate.

Ever since Joe Drake took over the reins of Lionsgate, a few films under their banner have been severely tampered with or jerked around; Midnight Meat Train being another one.

It would be easier to point fingers at Lionsgate right now.

[Royal]

They're also saying that the news is false and being used to hype up the movie.

Now this is just me, but would that work with oh...Ritchie or say Clive Barker? Lexi isn't that "known" yet.

[Jake V]

It's completely possible that the movie she made is a complete disaster, but I believe that there is zero chance that the mouth-breathers that run lionsgate are qualified to salvage it, much less improve it.

If the movie she made is a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, I would bet on Lionsgate turning it into a 1.

[Royal]

It's completely possible that the movie she made is a complete disaster, but I believe that there is zero chance that the mouth-breathers that run lionsgate are qualified to salvage it, much less improve it.

If the movie she made is a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, I would bet on Lionsgate turning it into a 1.

I'd agree with that if Drake wasn't in power, but....no. I think it's politics.

[StoneGold]

My guess is Lionsgate, due to the new trailer being cut like it was another Saw movie.

Hell, I wish it was cut like a Saw movie.


Or rather, I wish it was cut like a James Wa action film. You ever see Death Sentence? That was some hardcore stuff.

[Floyd The Barber]

I too was severley underwhelmed underwhelmed by the PWZ Trailer. It didn't help that I saw it just before the Watchmen and Terminator Salvation Trailers which made the PWZ one seem just that much more amateurish in contrast. It just looked so bourgeois. And that line... "Sometimes I wish I could get my hands on God."
That just doesn't sound like anything Frank would say.
After seeing the posters and hearing that Ray Stevenson was a great actor from people I knew that had watched Rome, I was starting to get psyched. And then the trailer comes along and all but kills that excitement.

[Monty_Cristo]

i'm going to see it. but that trailer is really underwhelming. maybe i'm just spoiled by Iron Man and Dark Knight. here's hoping that the cover doesn't say anything about the book.

[kalorama]

i'm going to see it. but that trailer is really underwhelming. maybe i'm just spoiled by Iron Man and Dark Knight. here's hoping that the cover doesn't say anything about the book.

It's been my experience that while films are often not as good as their trailers make them look, they are rarely better than their trailers make them look. Given that the whole point of a trailer is to make the movie look like it's worth seeing, a trailer that falls short of that goal is usually a bad sign.

[Legato]

It's been my experience that while films are often not as good as their trailers make them look, they are rarely better than their trailers make them look. Given that the whole point of a trailer is to make the movie look like it's worth seeing, a trailer that falls short of that goal is usually a bad sign.

It actually make me wonder before Fight Club came out in theaters did the trailers make the movie look any bad than it actually was?

Im not sure War Zone would be that case as it does look pretty low budget compared to Tom Jane's Punisher and that wasn't much of a big budget movie either.

[Monty_Cristo]

It actually make me wonder before Fight Club came out in theaters did the trailers make the movie look any bad than it actually was?

Im not sure War Zone would be that case as it does look pretty low budget compared to Tom Jane's Punisher and that wasn't much of a big budget movie either.

well Jane's trailer had the hunting bow scene. that was pretty cool.