Why did The Punisher get canceled? This question has lingered in the minds of Marvel fans since Netflix unexpectedly axed the show. Despite its critical acclaim and dedicated fanbase, the series never made it to a fourth season. Netflix officially pulled the plug in February 2019, leaving fans wondering if Jon Bernthal would ever return as Frank Castle.
Here’s everything we know about why Netflix canceled The Punisher and other Marvel shows.
Why The Punisher, Daredevil and other Marvel shows where canceled
Netflix abruptly ended Marvel hits like The Punisher and Daredevil, mainly due to corporate conflicts with Disney. While the streaming giant never gave an official explanation, multiple reports indicate that Disney’s strategic decisions played a significant role.
The cancellations weren’t limited to just The Punisher and Daredevil. Other Marvel shows like Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage also met the same fate despite their popularity. Disney’s launch of its streaming service Disney Plus was the final nail in the coffin. As the MCU operates under The Walt Disney Company, they naturally wanted the Marvel shows to all settle in Disney+ after they regained the license. (via Sportskeeda)
In a recent interview with GQ, Daredevil star Charlie Cox weighed in on the matter as well. Cox revealed that he was in London with a friend when he heard the news of the cancellation. “I got a call late at night, and my boss at Marvel television at the time said, ‘they’ve pulled all the shows. All five of them,’” Cox recalled. He then received a somewhat vague explanation of what went down. “There was some… I don’t know, it was a conversation about the politics behind it all, some feud between Netflix and Disney. My bosses at Netflix and Marvel all called and were very nice, and very polite, but it was done,” said Cox.
Thankfully, Marvel Studios comes bearing good news again. Daredevil: Born Again is set to debut on Disney+ on March 4, 2025, as part of MCU’s Phase Five. Both Charlie Cox and Jon Bernthal will reprise their iconic roles, marking a new chapter for these beloved characters.
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh on ComingSoon.net.
