While actor Tom Hardy may have recently exited the cast of Suicide Squad, it appears he’s still open to stepping into another major comic book role — this time on the Marvel side.
In a recent interview with Collider, Hardy revealed his interest in portraying Frank Castle, better known to fans as The Punisher. The British actor, known for his intense performances and physical roles, expressed enthusiasm for taking on a darker, more grounded anti-hero in the Marvel universe.
“I want The Punisher… I want The Punisher, or Splinter Cell, I want something… I don’t know what I want,” Hardy said, laughing. He acknowledged that he might not be the obvious choice for the role, joking, “I’m not big enough to be The Punisher, I’m 5’9”,” but then added with a smile, “Frank Castle — I would love it. Is that him, isn’t it?”
The Collider interviewer confirmed the character’s identity, and Hardy’s interest seemed genuine — suggesting he’s ready for a gritty, leading role in a shared universe, especially after his turn as the formidable Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.
Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist John Romita Sr., The Punisher is one of Marvel’s most brutal and morally complex characters. According to Marvel.com, Frank Castle was a decorated Marine who lost his wife and children in a gangland execution gone wrong. After witnessing the murders and finding no help from a justice system compromised by corruption, Castle declared war on organized crime, adopting the vigilante identity of The Punisher. With his trademark skull-emblazoned body armor and military-grade weaponry, Castle wages a relentless, one-man war against criminals of all kinds.
The Punisher has seen several live-action adaptations, most notably portrayed by Jon Bernthal in Netflix’s Daredevil and the subsequent Punisher series — which were praised for their darker, more violent tone, aligning well with the character’s hard-edged narrative.
Though no official plans are currently in place for Hardy to take on the role, his interest raises the question: could he be the next Frank Castle in a reimagined Marvel Studios version, now that rights to the character have returned to Marvel?
Given Hardy’s track record with intense, brooding characters, many fans might welcome a “hard R”-style version of The Punisher — especially in a streaming format where the character’s complex morality and violent methods can be explored in full.
Would you want to see Tom Hardy take on the role of Frank Castle? Share your thoughts in the comments below.