RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Media The Punisher Movie News

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Thomas Jane's "Punisher" now has his nemesis according to today's Variety. John Travolta has been cast to play the villain in the upcoming Artisan feature based on Marvel's tormented hero.

Travolta plays a character, created just for the movie, named Howard Saint. Saint is described as "a former underworld figure who goes straight but returns to old habits after his son is slain," a character not unlike the Punisher himself. Naturally the two men are drawn into conflict with one another.

Travolta mounted his big-screen comeback playing a criminal in "Pulp Fiction," years ago. Since then his most memorable parts have been playing heavies in movies like "Broken Arrow," "Face/Off" and "Swordfish."

Filming on "The Punisher" is set to begin in July with an eye toward a summer 2004 release.

In other "Punisher" news, Superhero Hype has posted an image of the teaser poster for the movie. The poster utilizes the skull that was seen in the recently released publicity photo.

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Originally posted by Darknight613:
I think it looks quite a bit like the Punisher from the Garth Ennis comics.

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Originally posted by thedoctor:

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Originally posted by Darknight613:
I think it looks quite a bit like the Punisher from the Garth Ennis comics.

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I can extrapolate from your statement that you know absolutely nothing about Ennis's Punisher.

Anywho, the Official site has been bought. The site isn't up and running. It shows 6/20 as it's launch date. The same day the Hulk hits theatres, which is where they've been saying the first teaser trailer will be attatched.

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Ryan Downey of MTV.com caught up with Marvel's Avi Arad to talk about casting on "The Punisher."

Back in April, Artisan officially announced that Thomas Jane ("Dreamcatcher") would step up to the lead role in the production. Arad commented on the choice of casting a character actor over a Hollywood action hero.

"You don't want to just get a man of steel — you want a man of steel with a bleeding heart. You want someone who cares and therefore you're going to care for him. Thomas Jane, he has soulful eyes," Arad said. "I see him as a cross between Steve McQueen and Clint Eastwood. And he has that thing about him — when he is sad, you feel like crying with him. And when he is mad? Watch out."

Just this week it was announced that John Travolta was on board to play the villain in the film, Howard Saint, a crime-lord gone straight, who is pulled back into his violent lifestyle when is own son is killed.

"We didn't want to do a cliché villain," Arad said of Travolta. "We are going for a dignified businessman [who is] cold but almost charming. And we are going to see his world fall apart like he made Frank's world fall apart. ... There is a lot of pain to what happens to Saint in this movie. And we needed an actor who can carry a real emotional journey."

In spite of the comics' violent tale of vengeance, Arad said the movie will look beneath the surface to the humanity of the characters.

"We'd like to take the Punisher saga and turn it into a real interesting film about emotions, about punishment, and deal both with the hero and the villain evenhandedly as people first and see what happens when the shoe is on the other foot. And you really need great actors to pull it off."

For more of Arad's thoughts about the movie check out the complete interview.

In other "Punisher" news a write up in The Saint Petersburg Times talk's about the movie's Tampa location. Cameras will roll in the Florida city starting in July. According to the article, it will be the first movie to film principal photography there in over a decade.

Tampa film commissioner Edie Emerald was also happy that the city would be playing itself in the movie, and not merely standing in for a different or generic city.

"So often I'm showing clients around, looking for places that can double for New Orleans or Charlotte or Texas," Emerald told the Times. "This is the first time when a director felt (Tampa) was perfect."

The article credits Michael France, who penned the script before writer/director Jonathan Hensleigh came on board, as moving the character from New York City to Tampa. France is said to be a resident of St. Pete Beach.

Tampa's downtown, Ybor City and the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor have already been selected for locations in the shoot. Tampa Theatre, the Florida Aquarium and the University of Tampa campus are also being considered.

Thanks to Peter S. for the lead.

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"We didn't want to do a cliché villain," Arad said of Travolta. "We are going for a dignified businessman [who is] cold but almost charming.

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Yes. I've never seen that before.

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The article credits Michael France:cbk:, who penned the script before writer/director Jonathan Hensleigh came on board, as moving the character from New York City to Tampa:cbk:. France is said to be a resident of St. Pete Beach.

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Originally posted by Disco Steve:
I heard they were basing the script a bit on the "Welcome Back, Frank" arc in Ennis' Punisher.

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Want to know which characters are rounding out "The Punisher" movie? FilmJerk.com got a hold of the casting sides for the film, documents which describe the characters that are in the picture.

According to FilmJerk, Artisan seeks six supporting characters for the production, which begins filming July 28th. Of course, fans already know that Thomas Jane ("Dreamcatcher") is playing the title role while and John Travolta ("Basic") has been cast as the villain.

Casting directors are on the lookout for Nicky Duka (a slick, greasy kind of guy), Detective Jimmy Weeks (the cop on the Punisher's trail), Leonard Glass (Saint's right hand man), Stanley Bumpo (The Punisher's overweight neighbor), John Saint (the villain's son, whose death draws the two main characters into conflict), Mike Toro (a cutthroat Cuban gangster).

"The Punisher" is due out summer of 2004. Thanks to Cinescape for the lead.

Don't forget: Artisan Entertainment has provided Comics2Film with a copy of the one-sheet to pass on to one lucky film fan. Just fill out the simple entry form on Comics2Film.com for your chance to win!

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A USA Today article detailing the perils of stunt work in Hollywood reveals that Thomas Jane is gearing up for action in "The Punisher" by training with four Navy SEALs. The actor is receiving daily, basic weapons training from the military men in Huntington Beach.

"The stuff on the wires and all that crazy dancing that was done so well in 'Crouching Tiger' is beautiful, but it's not very real world. We're kind of going back to old-fashioned days — serious hand-to-hand combat without all the trickery and dancing," Jane told USA Today.

Jane says the comic book movie won't try to glamorize the action, but rather depict the painful consequences of violence. "Stylized violence is a way of stepping away from violence and making it palatable. With our movie, we inject a sense of here's what happens when it really goes down."

While he may end up doing some stunts for "The Punisher," Jane said there is only so much an actor can do. He spent most of his time on the set of "Deep Blue Sea" disguising the fact that he had developed a double hernia for fear of losing the part in that movie.

"I've done a few action films now, and it's very popular to try to do all the stunts yourself — until the insurance company steps in and says no. No film is going to ever go beyond that."

For more about "The Punisher" and numerous other action movies, check out the complete article.

Thanks to Lauren D. for the lead!

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Originally posted by Arnold Judas Rimmer:
I thought he was dead!
Wheres Spacka Dave?
We need Spacka Dave!

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Sci Fi Wire spoke with Thomas Jane, star of The Punisher, about his training for the title role in the forthcoming Marvel/Artisan picture. Jane calls the down and dirty fighting style he'll use in the movie "old-school stuff."

"What would you really do to take these [bad] guys out?" Jane asks rhetorically. "What it usually comes down to is, you poke their eyes out, you slit their throat, break their nose, brutal stuff. That kind of ends the fight kind of quickly. That's why you don't see it too much. No wires, no Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon stuff. It's all going to be real world."

Jane is training with Navy Seals for the role. "I've got two trainers, and I work out twice a day. I'm just exhausted all the time. I sleep."

In a separate interview with About.com, Jane advised the site that with The Punisher he's "taking on a figure that's just beloved by a lot of folks, and trying to give it everything that I've got so that they get the best of me. I give it every shot at just doing the absolute best that I can with it."

While Jane admits that he "didn't like superhero comics" prior to signing on, The Punisher has changed his mind. The Punisher "is such an anti-hero that I've fallen in love with him," says Jane. "He's so dark and it's Marvel's darkest property, so I've fallen in love with the whole thing. ... He doesn't have super powers. He can't leap over tall buildings, he can't crawl up a wall, he's just really, really angry."

Jane adds that he's looking forward to acting opposite John Travolta (recently cast as the villainous Howard Saint) because he considers the Face/Off star "one of my heroes."

The Punisher opens summer 2004.
-- Stax

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You call this punishment? The Hollywood Reporter tells us that two actresses are circling Artisan and Marvel's "The Punisher."

According to the write-up, Laura Harring has signed on to the movie. Harring will play Ivia Saint, the "ruthless, vengeful" wife of John Travolta's Howard Saint character. Harring recently appeared in David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" in which she played...we're not really sure who played what in that one.



Also eying a role in the movie is Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. Romijn, of course, played Mystique in the "X-Men" movies. She's said to be in negotiations for a part but no word is given on what role she is seeking.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, the co-star of one of this summer's biggest Marvel movies is in talks to join one of summer 2004's Marvel releases. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos ("Mystique" in the X-Men films) is poised to join Laura Harring (Mulholland Dr.) in the cast of The Punisher. Thomas Jane and John Travolta star. The Artisan Entertainment/Marvel Studios project begins filming next month in Florida for a summer 2004 release. Jonathan Hensleigh will direct from his own screenplay.

The Punisher "revolves around a vigilante hero (Jane) who dispenses harsh justice to criminals after his wife and children are slain by the mob."

While the trade paper didn't specify which role Romijn-Stamos landed, IGN FilmForce has learned from its infallible Punisher source that Romijn-Stamos will portray "Joan" from Garth Ennis' "Welcome Back, Frank" storyline. Hill City Comics describes Joan as "a mousy recluse with a thing for Frank (Castle, the Punisher)." That's quite a far cry from Romijn-Stamos' vampish turn as Mystique.

THR claims that "Harring will play Ivia Saint, the ruthless, vengeful wife of the film's evil Howard Saint (Travolta). Saint is a man involved in the criminal underworld who manages to conceal his violent beginnings and become a paragon of society. When the Saints' son is brutally slain, a darker, vengeful side re-emerges in the man."

Harring's other credits include Willard, Little Nicky and John Q. Romijn-Stamos has also starred in Femme Fatale and Rollerball.
-- Stax

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Sony is set to handle the international distribution rights for Marvel and Artisan's "The Punisher" according to today's Variety.

Legal issues with Marvel notwithstanding, Sony division Columbia TriStar Film Distributor's Intl. has picked up the film's distribution rights to most international territories. The only exceptions will be eight Southeast Asian and Middle East territories, including China and India, which were previously sold to other outlets.

Artisan will, of course, distribute the movie in the U.S.

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C2F reader Lauren points us to a June 19 article at The Hollywood Reporter which reveals yet another cast member has joined "The Punisher."

Ben Foster will play "Dave" in the movie, who is said to be a variation on Garth Ennis' "Spacker Dave" character from his first run on "The Punisher" comics. The write-up describes Dave as " the title character's deadbeat but loyal and good-hearted neighbor," which is consistent with the comic book character.

Foster is currently seen on HBO's "Six Feet Under" and was also recently seen on the big screen in "Big Trouble."

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Originally posted by thedoctor:
The teaser. It ain't looking good for the home team.

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Originally posted by whomod:

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Originally posted by thedoctor:
The teaser. It ain't looking good for the home team.

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what do you mean? It looks exactly like the comics do. Some somber guy with a bunch of guns, a trench, and a big honkin' skull t-shirt.

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Central Florida Talent has alerted us that they are also casting extras for "The Punisher." So, if you're an actor living in Florida between July and October here's what you need to know.

CF Talent says, "Extras must be reliable. Extra work can be long hours and low pay. Only Tampa and greater Orlando residents need apply. You must submit two professional headshots and/or two professional comp cards. On back please put the following info: phone number, height, weight and clothing sizes."

You can mail your submissions to:

CF Talent
Attn: Punisher
2601 Wells Ave. Suite 181
Fern Park, Fl 32750

And if you missed it, we previously told C2F readers about casting opportunities for this movie at Mark Mullin Casting. You can send your headshot and resume to them at:

Mark Mullin Casting
Attn: Kimberly Mullin
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Bldg. #22A Suite #231
Orlando, Florida 32819.

Break a leg!

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Samantha Mathis and Will Patton will lead the cast of Artisan Entertainment/Marvel Studios' comic-book movie The Punisher for director Jonathan Hensleigh, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Production starts Aug. 2 in Tampa, Fla., with Thomas Jane in the title role of Frank Castle, the trade paper reported.

James Carpinello, Mark Collie, Ben Foster, John Pinette, Eddie Jamison and Russell Andrews have also signed on, joining John Travolta, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Laura Harring. Punisher is based on Marvel Comics' vigilante hero, who dispenses harsh justice to criminals after his wife and children are slain by the mob, the trade paper reported.

Mathis will play Amanda Castle, the tough, beautiful wife of Jane's character. Patton is set to star as Leonard Glass, the right-hand man of villain Howard Saint (Travolta). Carpinello will play Saint's son, John Saint. Collie will play the evil assassin Harry Heck. Foster stars as Spacker Dave, and Pinette as Mr. Bumpo, both friends of Frank Castle. Jamison will play Nicky Duka, and Andrews will be FBI agent Jimmy Weeks, the trade paper reported.

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Artisan Entertainment and Marvel Studios have announced that Roy Scheider (Jaws, The French Connection) has joined the cast of The Punisher in an unspecified role. Filming has now begun in Tampa Bay, Florida under the direction of screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh. Gale Anne Hurd and Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad are producing.

The Punisher stars Thomas Jane, John Travolta, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Laura Harring, Will Patton, Samantha Mathis, Ben Foster, James Carpinello, Mark Collie, Eddie Jamison, Russell Andrews and John Pinette.

"What's terrific about this cast is that they are all distinguished actors," said Arad. "It almost feels like an indie cast rather than a big, exciting action movie."

The Punisher tells the story of FBI undercover agent, Frank Castle, who until now has beat considerable odds. A former Special Forces operative, he is finally moving out of the field and into a desk job – and a normal life with his wife and son. Then Castle's world is shaken to its core by a nightmare he has long feared: his family is executed as a repercussion from his final undercover assignment. With unparalleled intensity, ferocious intelligence and fearless actions, Castle seeks to punish the murderers – and finds the one thing he least expected: redemption.

The Punisher opens summer 2004.
-- Stax

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