image credit: Lionsgate Films
Punisher actor Thomas Jane opened up about his time playing the role in a recent interview, revealing that while he was grateful for the opportunity to play the gun-toting vigilante, he felt he was “miscast” in the role. Jane played The Punisher in the 2004 film of the same name, but did not return for its sequel, Punisher: War Zone, where he was replaced by the late Ray Stevenson. However, he reprised the role in Phil Joanou’s short fan film, The Punisher: Dirty Laundry.

Thomas Jane on why he was ‘miscast’ in 2004’s The Punisher

In a recent interview with Comic Book Movie‘s Josh Wilding, Thomas Jane was asked about the possibility of him reprising his role as Punisher from the 2004 film for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. He replied, “I was very passionate about it. I did a short film called ‘Dirty Laundry’ that I produced and put together. I had a blast, and I’m so grateful to have been inducted into the world. I’m a big comic book fan.”

Jane was then asked if he felt jealous about Jon Bernthal playing Punisher in the MCU or was proud of the legacy he created after playing the role. The actor replied that he was “miscast” in the role, citing the character’s Italian heritage, which he doesn’t share.

Jane also noted that Frank Castle had black hair and a “whole different sort of lineage” from him. “He was born in the 70s, as the antithesis of the Italian mob,” he added. “They had taken over the world briefly, and The Godfather came out of it, too.”

Jane continued, “Frank was the answer to that. Francis Castiglione. I’m not that guy. I had to dye my hair black and become a different guy.”

The Boogie Nights actor said he was “happy” that Bernthal was currently playing Punisher, adding that the latter was more suited to the role. “I had fun, and I did the best I could with it,” he further stated. “I’m very grateful for it, but I’m not that guy.”