Summary
Marvel Studios adds a new character in Jon Bernthal’s standalone special,Punisher. They are reportedly casting a female actress to portray the villain.
Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, left an impression on fans. He made his debut asThe Punisherin Marvel’sDaredevilSeason 2 onNetflix. His performance received critical acclaim and it was evident that many were very impressed because he earned a standalone series,The Punisher,which premiered on the same streaming platform in November 2017.The Punisherran for two seasons, and even if it was canceled in February 2019, Bernthal’s performance was celebrated. When Marvel picked upDaredeviland rebooted the series onDisney Plus, they invited Bernthal to reprise his role asThe Punisher.It made sense sinceDaredevil: Born Againwas a continuation of Netflix’sDaredeviland the studio announced a standalonePunisherspecial that would premiere next year. A new report shared some updates about its casting.
Although the Gnucci was mentioned, Ma Gnucci has not appeared in theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU), including in Netflix’sThe Punisher. However, Tony Gnucci, a member of the Gnucci Crime Family, appeared on screen. The character was portrayed by James J Lorenzo, and he appeared in Season 1, Episode 1, “3 Am.” However, his stint was short since he was killed by the Punisher early in the series. With Ma Gnucci potentially making her debut in the MCU, fans dropped several names, who could potentially play her. Some said they wanted Maggie Wheeler for the role. Another suggestedLoststar Katey Sagal. There were alreadydiscussionsabout Ma Gnucci possibly joining the MCU eight years ago and fans wanted Lena Headey to play the character. However, another interesting name that came into discussion was Linda Hunt, who won an Oscar for portraying a male character in the 1982 romantic dramaThe Year of Living Dangerously.
Ma Gnucci is known as the supervillain in thePunisher’sstoryline. She plays a significant role in “Welcome Back, Frank,” where she becomes Frank’s target of vigilante justice. Thus, fans are likely right that the female villain is her. As for who could potentially play the character, the names fans suggest are brilliant actresses. Among the names, Hunt is a strong candidate because she has a commanding presence despite her small stature, which could work well for Ma Gnucci’s intimidating character. She’s also skilled at playing authoritative and sharp-witted characters. However, she’s already in her 80s and there could be physical limitations in action scenes. Sagal, best known forSons of Anarchy,has already proven her talent in playing morally ambiguous crime matriarchs. She can be vicious and vulnerable, making her a solid and authentic fit for the character. Wheeler is also an interesting choice, but she’s known for comedic roles, which might distract audiences unless she fully reinvents herself to adapt Ma Gnucci’s ruthless and manipulative nature. The best choice could be theGame of Thronesstar, Headey. She has the commanding presence to portray a ruthless, powerful, manipulative, and cold-blooded matriarch, which could elevate Ma Gnucci into an iconic and prestige-level MCU villain. However, she might be too elegant for a grotesque Ma Gnucci, but they could work on that with makeup. Headey is capable of delivering a chilling performance with gritty realism.
