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Superman Hopeful Joe Manganiello Wants to Play the The Punisher Frank Castle

In an interview with the Huffington Post, the actor in HBO's True Blood expresses a desire to play Marvel's vigilante, and names the perfect director to helm the project.

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By nailbiter111 - 9/1/2011


Courtesy of the Huffington Post

On Hollywood's Recent Leading Men
"We took this turn in cinema where leading men got soft. When I was growing up, it was Clint Eastwood, it was Harrison Ford and Steve McQueen--these guys were tough. They were leading men, but they were also tough an physical. Somehow we got away from that, and it was like these two things needed to be separated, but I don't think it does."


Superhero he would most like to play, since missing out on Superman
"I'd love to do a version of 'The Punisher,' but it would have to be directed by Michael Mann. Like a hardcore, rated-R version of 'The Punisher.'"





Due to scheduling conflicts with True Blood Joe couldn't finish his audition for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. We heard in previous interviews that the actor was quite upset on missing out on such a choice part. And as much as it was a missed opportunity for Joe, in my opinion it was a miss for the audience. Anyone who has seen HBO's hit vampire show will tell you that Joe owns scene after scene, adding a much needed shot of testosterone to a show that features a lot of effeminate male leads.

I think he would've made an excellent Superman. That is no knock on Henry Cavill who won the part. I think Henry will be great as well, and believe the producers finally had more then one actor who could've suit up in the blue and red, well maybe not so red now, lol.

As for The Punisher, I don't think the last two films that have come out with Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson have come close to the quality Punisher fans expect. I agree with Joe that a Michael Mann version would be outstanding with Joe in the lead. The glimpse of Joe being raw and savage on his TV show have been brilliant and if he could translate that passion we'll finally get the Frank Castle we deserve. And if Michael Mann can channel his Heat and Collateral intensity we would be in for an epic film.



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Source: huffingtonpost.com
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PaulRom - 9/1/2011, 2:01 PM
Never thought of him for the role before, but I wouldn't say no if he were cast.
RobertGarlen - 9/1/2011, 2:10 PM
He's a good actor but i couldn't buy him having a Family. Get someone who looks like they have kids to play the Punisher
redrobin1986 - 9/1/2011, 2:12 PM
i think he just wants to be in a comic book movie
RunDTC - 9/1/2011, 2:13 PM
please no
Theodora - 9/1/2011, 2:17 PM
I totally agree, this guy's obviously never read a comic in his life, he just wants to head up his own franchise. Dont get me wrong, he is a brilliant actor, and HOT stuff, but still, bet you he's auditioned for every comic book role going. Wait til you see he'll be up for Dr Strange, Ant Man or Flash.
Akercocke - 9/1/2011, 2:17 PM
Joe for Hercules!
marvel72 - 9/1/2011, 2:18 PM
yeah he'd make a decent punisher,also wouldn't mind seeing him play someone like hercules or even wonderman.
PaulRom - 9/1/2011, 2:19 PM
I'd like him to be a little older though, seems too young ATM for what I imagine Punisher to be.
RorMachine - 9/1/2011, 2:21 PM
"Like a hardcore, R rated Punisher". Yeah those last couple of movies weren't violent at all! What the Hell is he on about? That isn't the problem with the movies, it's that they [frick]ing sucked.
jbender - 9/1/2011, 2:21 PM
Michael Mann?!!! HOLY !#@@$@$ &^&^*%$#% YES!!!!
imnotwearinghockeypants - 9/1/2011, 2:23 PM
Uh, no.
write33 - 9/1/2011, 2:25 PM
he'd be great as the role, but Michael Mann would be 3 hours long, ponderous, with some amazing violence and reeking of self-importance. Eesh, no way.
ACira - 9/1/2011, 2:26 PM
hmm, never thought he'd be interested in a role like that. Still think he'd be a great Hawkman on the DC side of things, but maybe he'd be a good Punisher, although there are probably better suited actors out there.
With Marvel gaining the rights back, I'm sure they'll pleasently surprise us with whatever leading man they choose.

Speaking of Marvel getting rights back, do they have the Fantastic 4 yet?
P862010 - 9/1/2011, 2:29 PM
i'd prefer jon hamm for frank
AiyalKilU - 9/1/2011, 2:38 PM
"It would have to be Michael Mann"

throwing his Spiderman bit part/True Blood weight around already?
RorMachine - 9/1/2011, 2:41 PM
There is nothing wrong with a bit of self importance..in fact many directors should have more of it. Take your work a bit more seriously and maybe your viewers will. People think Terence Malick has completely disappeared up his own ass, I think as long as he ius still making masterpieces who gives a shit?

But Mann..yeah I used to be a big fan. Then came Miami Vice. I still think he's a great director though. Sure, why nor Punisher. Just remember to add a story.
Misterfan - 9/1/2011, 2:42 PM
P862010 read my mind, JON HAMM for PUNISHER !
soaponapope - 9/1/2011, 2:42 PM
Ray Stevenson was actually a really good -looking- and -sounding- Punisher. he absolutely had that hard looking face and cold, hard sounding voice. unfortunately the movie had a shitty script and wasn't great, although the action and violence was a lot better than the Jane punisher. and he's also not the greatest actor in the world.
shaddowkhan - 9/1/2011, 2:43 PM
Thomas Jane.
nuck82 - 9/1/2011, 2:45 PM
hes in his 30s, so yeah [frick] it go for it buddy, hes got a dark look to him, can grow some nice stubbel on his face
thewolfx - 9/1/2011, 2:47 PM
he should play the sentry loljk
SageMode - 9/1/2011, 2:48 PM
He would be a pretty good choice as Punisher.
not likely, but I think he'd be better off as Hercules.......
superbigguy32 - 9/1/2011, 2:50 PM
I think he'll be an awesome Captain Marvel.
CaptainDC - 9/1/2011, 2:51 PM
The only reason I say no, is because he has so much talent, it shouldn't go to waist on a movie like the Punisher
CaptainTall - 9/1/2011, 2:58 PM
Pretty Boy Punisher? Nope.
HelaGood - 9/1/2011, 3:05 PM
yeah... we need yet another Frank Castle... no.
ckal - 9/1/2011, 3:13 PM
I think Joe could make a real good Hercules.

Punisher? Why not. He's a little younger looking, but I'm sure things could be done to change that look a bit.


At least he realizes that if you want a movie to be good, you should have a good director.
nuck82 - 9/1/2011, 3:14 PM
i wish they could make a good punisher, why is it so hard?
tracydavis001 - 9/1/2011, 3:18 PM
Seems ok , he looks the part !!!
ClarkFarley2012 - 9/1/2011, 3:21 PM
I think Punisher is better suited for T.V. Get it on HBO or Showtime. Punishers fan base isn't big enough to make another movie. It's time for Marvel to expand to T.V. Not too excited about the new Hulk show or Jessica Jones.
FlappyJax - 9/1/2011, 3:22 PM
He actually wouldn't be a terrible choice, but.. Jon Hamm all the way!
RoadDogXXIV - 9/1/2011, 3:25 PM
With the property of Punisher back in Marvel's hands, I could get behind this. Besides, I'm on the Super Hero Hypes message boards, and Joe's name pops up on fancasts as the Punisher.

I saw Miami Vice. It was just noise, arrogance, stupidity, and the modern-day hip-pop culture rolled into one. Michael Mann crapped on his own product. But if he can get back into his Heat and Collateral groove, he can deliver a rock-solid adaptation of The Punisher.
UltimaRex - 9/1/2011, 3:26 PM
Just keep him away from Superman.
AlexDeLarge87 - 9/1/2011, 3:32 PM
James Caviezel would be good badass and realistic version of the Punisher. He is perfect age too.
Just give him same type of costume like Ray Stevenson had in War Zone and get a good director behind the project and im sure the movie would be great.
AlexDeLarge87 - 9/1/2011, 3:34 PM
David Fincher would be good choice as the director.
WesleyGibson - 9/1/2011, 3:47 PM
@MrEko-
That was a good issue of war journal.
SpiderBat209 - 9/1/2011, 3:47 PM
I like the idea of a Michael Mann directed PUNISHER. Maybe Tom Cruise for Frank Castle? :)
WesleyGibson - 9/1/2011, 3:51 PM
@SpiderBat209-
Tom Cruise couldn't play a good Punisher because he is too busy tripping and stumbling over his big, fat ego. Atleast Jim Carrey knows how to overact with style. Cruise just overacts.

I would have to say that If given good direction, Sam Worthington would make a good frank...maybe. I would have to see that.
headlopper - 9/1/2011, 3:59 PM
I agree Michael Mann is top shelf talent. Remember Mann cut his teeth in T.V. with 'Miami Vise".
BrotherFromAnother - 9/1/2011, 4:00 PM
Tom Cruise playing the Punisher? LOL that would be more like punishment.
SCURVYDOG619 - 9/1/2011, 4:03 PM
Christopher Meloni would be an interesting choice for the Punisher,in my opinion. He almost looks like Mike Zeck's version of the character...But I have the feeling he wouldn't be interested in this sort of thing....
jjmeylar - 9/1/2011, 4:14 PM
Seeing as Stevenson was PERFECT as Frank: no. As for his choice in direction.....interesting.
RichardTheNerd - 9/1/2011, 4:55 PM
They should do a Daredevil/Punisher film.
AlexDeLarge87 - 9/1/2011, 5:09 PM
James Caviezel people!:)
vermillion - 9/1/2011, 5:24 PM
Joe M. could play Frank Castle. I see the resemblance. Although he looks a lot like Hawkman.

I'd definitely like him to play a super hero though.
croniccris - 9/1/2011, 6:07 PM


start here
CaptainTall - 9/1/2011, 6:12 PM




Castle's in his 50's-60's. Joe is in his 30's and an awful actor.

If Castle were a younger character, then sure, why not? But he's not a young character, he's old. So no, definitely no. And making The Punisher young is like.... like...
NERO - 9/1/2011, 6:18 PM
I just want to see Hollywood, Disney, Marvel, Lionsgate, whoever, make use of the fact that Punisher has been around for 30+ years.

When you think about the fact they could start the story in the 1970's with a younger actor and then traverse to the modern era with an older one, hell even jump forward and back depending on the sequel it opens the way for a great deal of flexibility . Not to mention Brooklyn, Hell's Kitchen, the Bronx all of it in the 70's to early 90's was basically a war zone it makes a better setting for Frank than the modern day Disneyed up NYC. In the last 30 years the city has seen the fall of the Five Families, the Heroin epidemic, the crack epidemic, the rise of the Tongs, Yakuza, and Russian mob. Embrace the character as a serial killer, someone who is compelled to do this because he needs it and not just because he is a father gone wrong. My take on Frank is that Death has always dwelled inside him, that black violent thing that needs war and killing; it has always been inside him tearing to release itself. His wife, Maria, and his children, Lisa and Frank Jr., were merely his control mechanism; his one best and last chance to turn away from the darkness. Once they die, the beast within is merely released from its bonds. Frank Castle is a monster born. No one in Hollywood has ever grasped that. As a metaphor he is there to shame us; to show us the folly of our high minded principles. To show us that not everyone can be redeemed or reformed and that in the deepest darkest recesses of our souls we still glean that sick satisfaction from watching the slaughter of evil men. Law is merely a creation used to withhold the monster; justice and law are not the same. Frank cares for neither. He sits in judgment like a vengeful god on high and assigns his punishment at will protected by an almost supernatural force, possibly even Death itself.

If Hollywood can get that, Frank will be a character that could bring in audiences that want more than to just see a head burst before a 12 gauge. We need more complexity in the story to catch the eye of the normal moviegoer. You give a good retro based origin and script to a realistic director who knows how to show violence not like that of a video game or slasher flick, but like that of the harsh, unflinching, finality of real life (my personal pick is Michael Mann) and then you'd have a Punisher film that would finally do Frank justice.

Could Joe do it? Could he pull it off? All I can say is with the right script and direction, maybe. He is not a terrible actor and he does fit the image of a youngish circa 1976-1985 Frank. I’d list him as a contender.

Amen. Holy shit. Where's the Tylenol. End of rant.
NERO - 9/1/2011, 6:29 PM
I'm glad to see the names Mann and Fincher bounding around for director, you guys are on it. Other possibles John McTiernan, Antoine Fuqua, maybe David Cronenberg or Ethan and Joel Coen. Big names, great directors all, but I think Frank is worthy of it.
RunDTC - 9/1/2011, 6:30 PM
he's too young and can't act
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