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The Punisher film series currently consists of three films based on the fictional Marvel Comics character of the same name, portrayed by Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson respectively. The first film, known simply as The Punisher is a film that was released straight to video by New World Pictures in 1989 that's most notable for lacking the character's signature skull. Marvel hired Jonathan Hensleigh to write and direct the 2004 film which was mainly based on two Punisher comic books stories; The Punisher: Year One and Welcome Back, Frank. A direct sequel was supposed to follow based on strong DVD sales, but the lack of a good script kept the project in development for over 3 years, and by the end both Jonathan Hensleigh and Thomas Jane pulled out. In June 2007, Lexi Alexander was hired to direct and Ray Stevenson was hired in July to play the Punisher in the newly titled Punisher: War Zone, which became a reboot, and not a sequel to 2004's The Punisher. The film was released on December 5, 2008. The films primarily focus on Frank's vigilante crusade after the death of his family.
[edit] Films[edit] The Punisher (1989)Main article: The Punisher (1989 film) He is the city's most wanted, and most mysterious, vigilante. He has killed 125 people in the last 5 years. He is The Punisher (Dolph Lundgren), a one man weapon against crime. In reality the Punisher is Frank Castle, an ex-cop whose family was murdered by mobsters. Now legally declared dead, he strikes back from beyond the grave, killing mobsters wherever he can find them. As a result of this, the mobsters families have weakened, forcing Gianni Franco, one of the leaders of one of the families, to come in and take control of the families. Franco has a plan to bring the families together as one unit. However, this has attracted the attention of the Yakuza, Asia's most powerful crime syndicate, who decide to take over the families and all their interests. In order to sway the mobsters to their cause, they kidnap their children. Now the Punisher must fight to save the lives of the children of the people he has fought against for five years, while at the same time fighting alongside the man who killed his family. [edit] The Punisher (2004)Main article: The Punisher (2004 film) After an undercover operation where Bobby Saint, son of corrupt businessman Howard Saint, is killed, FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) retires. Howard Saint, holding Castle responsible for the death of his son, butchers Frank's family during a family reunion and leaves Frank for dead. Burnt out and taunted by memories of his murdered family, Frank sets out to avenge his family and becomes a judge, jury and executioner known as "The Punisher". Castle sets out to punish Howard Saint and his associates in a one man war; Castle is not willing to give up until those responsible are dead. [edit] The Punisher: Extended Cut (2006)An extended cut DVD was released on November 21, 2006 with 17 minutes of additional footage, most of which revolves around the character Jimmy Weeks (Russell Andrews), and Frank realizing that it was his friend that sold him out to Howard Saint. Features also include a black and white stop motion animated scene, set in Kuwait based on and partially done by artist Tim Bradstreet, and a Punisher comic book gallery. An extended version of "In Time" by Mark Collie also appears in the closing credits of the extended cut DVD. [edit] Punisher: War Zone (2008)Main article: Punisher: War Zone Waging his one-man war on the world of organized crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) sets his sights on overeager mob boss Billy Russoti. After Russoti is left horribly disfigured by Castle, he sets out for vengeance under his new alias: Jigsaw. With the "Punisher Task Force" hot on his trail and the FBI unable to take Jigsaw in, Frank must stand up to the formidable army that Jigsaw has recruited before more of his evil deeds go unpunished.[1] [edit] Unsuccessful projects[edit] The Punisher 2Despite The Punisher's only modest success at the box office, Lions Gate Entertainment however were interested in a sequel based on the film's strong DVD sales. Jonathan Hensleigh and Thomas Jane were set to commence filming of the sequel, but the project remained in development for over 3 years due to the lack of a good script despite numerous writers being attached even after Hensleigh pulled out. Thomas Jane was eager to do the sequel stating Jigsaw as the villain, that he'd put on an additional 12 pounds of muscle, and that "it would be darker, bloodier and more unfriendly than the first one." However, after reading the new script by Kurt Sutter, he stated:
[edit] RebootIn May 2007, director John Dahl was in talks to direct the movie, but decided to not helm the film.[4] In June it was announced that Lexi Alexander would then take over the role as director as a result.[5] On July 21 it was announced that Northern Irish born actor Ray Stevenson would play the Punisher in the new film. Filming was slated to begin in October 2007 in Montreal. In August, a working title for the film, The Punisher: Welcome Back Frank was announced. On August 28, Lionsgate announced that the new working name for The Punisher 2 would be Punisher: War Zone.[6] [edit] FutureRay Stevenson has expressed interest in sequels, hinting Barracuda as a possible villain. At the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con, when asked if he signed on for more Punisher, he said, "If I had my wish, it's going to run and run. It's up to the fan base. If this works, we get to do it all again."[7] [edit] Cast and Characters
[edit] Reception[edit] Box Office Performance
[edit] Critical Reaction
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