The Punisher (2004)

R
124 min
Action
April 15, 2004

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Movie Details

Latest 'The Punisher' News

Will Thomas Jane Return as The Punisher on Netflix?

Jan 23, 2015

Thomas Jane says he's 'done' playing Frank Castle, but later admits he will return if the 'story is right.'

Marvel Is in No Rush to Remake Daredevil or The Punisher

Oct 21, 2013

Marvel executive Kevin Feige says they are still trying to figure out what to do with the characters. The studio wants to ease them back into the cinematic universe.

Marvel Studios Reacquires the Rights to Ghost Rider, The Punisher and Blade

May 3, 2013

The film rights packages recently lapsed and several characters licensed to other studios are returning to Marvel.

Win The Punisher: Extended Cut DVD and Autographed Posters!

Evan JacobsJan 2, 2007

Own this epic image created exclusively for this release! Plus, win the new DVD!

Mushy Goes Toe-To-Toe With The Punisher [Exclusive]

Evan JacobsDec 6, 2006

Thomas Jane discussess playing Frank Castle, The Punisher 2, and his next film The Midst directed by Frank Darabont.

Jonathan Hensleigh on the Extended Cut DVD of The Punisher

Nov 30, 2006

Says that the film is darker now than the theatrical version.

Watch a Never-Before-Seen Clip from the The Punisher: Extended Cut DVD! [Exclusive]

Evan JacobsNov 30, 2006

We've got your first look at more new footage from the comic adaptation!

The Punisher: Extended Cut Hits DVD November 21

Evan JacobsNov 2, 2006

This new edition contains over 17 minutes of new material!

Lionsgate Postpones the Release of Blu-ray Titles

Evan JacobsApr 13, 2006

Move is to better coincide with the release of Samsung's BD-P1000 player.

Man on Fire and The Punisher top the sales and rental charts

Brian B.Sep 16, 2004

...with Man on Fire selling 1.5 million combined DVD and VHS units on Tuesday

Win The Punisher on DVD!

Brian B.Aug 27, 2004

...coming home on September 7th!

The Punisher comes to DVD September 7th

Brian B.Jun 30, 2004

...more comic book madness for your collection

Thomas Jane talks about The Punisher

Brian B.Apr 8, 2004

I had been looking to do something like this for a while now...

New images from THE PUNISHER!

Brian B.Mar 26, 2004

...starring Thomas Jane, John Travolta, Laura Harring, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, and Samantha Mathis

New posters for THE PUNISHER & SKY CAPTAIN & THE WORLD OF TOMORROW!

Brian B.Feb 29, 2004

...a glimpse at some new one sheets!

Rebecca Romjin-Stamos talks about THE PUNISHER

Brian B.Dec 29, 2003

Joan's this down and out recovering drug addict just trying to get her life back together...

A new trailer for THE PUNISHER!

Brian B.Nov 4, 2003

...plus a new picture of Thomas Jane!

The final poster from THE PUNISHER is here!

Brian B.Oct 17, 2003

...plus some info on the wrap of the production...

Thomas Jane talks about THE PUNISHER!

Brian B.Oct 13, 2003

Listen in real audio...

A look at THE PUNISHER!

Brian B.Oct 6, 2003

A new photo of the superhero with his bow and arrow!

Critics Score

29%

Release Date

April 15, 2004

Director

Jonathan Hensleigh

Writers

Jonathan Hensleigh
Michael France

Cast

A. Russell Andrews
Omar Avila
James Carpinello
Mark Collie
Russell Durham Comegys
Antoni Corone

Official Website

punisherthemovie.com

The Punisher Synopsis

Marvel's unstoppable vigilante, THE PUNISHER, hits the screen in a new action thriller that introduces a comic book hero unlike any other. The Punisher brings to the screen one of Marvel's top-selling solo comic books and a marquee character whose popularity parallels that of Marvel stars X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four. The Punisher walks through the world we all know, a world darkened by war, crime, cruelty, and injustice. He has no superpowers to battle the evil he sees - only his fierce intelligence, his years of combat experience and, above all, his iron determination to avenge those wronged by society's villains. A gritty tale of revenge and redemption, The Punisher is that rare thing - a work of entertainment that speaks powerfully to its times.

The Punisher marks the directorial debut of Jonathan Hensleigh, renowned screenwriter of genre blockbusters The Rock, Armageddon and Die Hard: With a Vengeance. Tom Jane (Dreamcatcher, 61*, Deep Blue Sea) stars as Frank Castle, the Punisher, squaring off against superstar John Travolta (Pulp Fiction, Face/Off) as the story's formidable villain, Howard Saint. Co-starring are Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (X-Men, X-2: X-Men United) as Joan, a woman climbing back from a troubled past; Laura Harring (Mulholland Drive) as Howard Saint's vengeful wife, Livia; and Samantha Mathis (American Psycho) as Castle's wife Maria. It is produced by Marvel Studios' CEO Avi Arad (The Hulk, Spider-Man, X-Men) and producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Hulk, Aliens, Terminator2).

Frank Castle (Tom Jane) is a man who has seen too much death in his life, first as a Delta Force Op and later as an FBI special agent. He has managed to beat considerable odds, and is finally moving out of the field and into a normal life with his wife, Maria (Samantha Mathis), and young son, Will (Marcus Johns). On his final assignment, Castle plays his undercover role perfectly, but the operation spins out of control and a young man, Bobby Saint (James Carpinello), is inadvertently killed. This places the FBI on the wrong side of Tampa businessman Howard Saint (John Travolta) and his glamorous wife, Livia (Laura Harring). Notwithstanding their glossy social profile, the Saints are no genteel Florida couple; behind their copious wealth are violent beginnings, underworld ties - and a chilling capacity for brutality. Inflamed by the death of their son, the Saints are willing to risk their newfound legitimacy inon a wholesale mission of blood-vengeance. Castle's worst nightmare is about to come true, as Howard Saint and his lieutenants unleash hell at the Castle family reunion.

But Castle, to his everlasting torment, survives. Until this moment, he has spent his entire life adhering strictly to the law. However, experience has taught him that the law cannot adequately penalize the people who murdered his family. Drawing upon all he has learned in 20 years, Castle sets in motion a plan to punish the murderers. He takes up residence in a dilapidated tenement building in Tampa's industrial district, where his fellow tenants include Joan (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), a waitress at a nearby diner who is trying to put her life back on track; Dave (Ben Foster), a gangly twenty-something with a face full of piercings; and Mr. Bumpo (John Pinette), a rotund gourmand who rarely leaves his home.
In preparing his revenge, Castle thoroughly familiarizes himself with the habits and routines of the Saint family. He traces the movements not only of Howard and Livia, but also their surviving son, John (James Carpinello), and Howard's second-in-command, lawyer Quentin Glass (Will Patton). Armed with this essential knowledge, Castle launches his first salvo against Saint's business interests. Stunned that Castle is not only alive but causing him harm, Howard Saint marshals his forces in an attempt to shut Castle down. He soon turns to the underworld's network of hired assassins, recruiting the laconic Memphis legend Harry Heck (Mark Collie) as well as the blonde behemoth known only as the Russian (Kevin Nash).

Castle's plan is proceeding apace, but his mission has the unintended effect of placing his fellow tenement dwellers in danger. Yet Joan, Dave and Mr. Bumpo rally for to their neighbor, even at great personal risk. This makeshift family - forgotten men and women with no one to protect them - brings Castle the one thing he least expects: redemption. His personal goal achieved, Castle realizes that his life's work has just begun. As The Punisher, he will provide justice for ordinary people and exact retribution from society's villains.