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Actor Thomas Jane Leaves Punisher 2

by Alex Billington
May 16, 2007

It seems like even actor Thomas Jane has come to realization that the 2004 movie The Punisher wasn't all that great, and sent a note to Ain't It Cool News stating that he's not going to be reprising his role as Frank Castle in the upcoming sequel. The sequel was already part of the way into its pre-production, but I'm not sure if it was at a moment where they had already begun filming, however the decision has already been made final by Jane.

"I'm writing to tell you that I regretfully and painfully had to pull out of [Punisher 2]. I can't tell you how completely broken up I am about it... Punisher fans are already fighting an uphill battle as it is. And I've always felt a responsibility to fight that fight for them and with them so that Frank Castle gets the treatment he deserves."

And I guess with this one he just ran out of steam fighting that battle. Obviously something is going a bit wrong at with the studio, Lionsgate, given the minimal success that it was, I think they're trying to "fix" it when it's not really broken.

"What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch."

Personally, I didn't like the first one at all, and I'm not looking forward to the sequel. And honestly, this may be a good choice for Thomas Jane, but it's going to leave an even worse taste in my mouth when the only guy who could play The Punisher has left because he didn't believe in it and now the role will be filled with someone much worse. It's not looking good.

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KATHY CRAIG

I THINK THAT THOMAS JANE SHOULD PLAY IN THE SEQUEL OF THE PUNISHER. I HAVE WATCHED ALL HIS MOVIES AND THINK HE IS "HOT". LET HIM KNOW THAT I AM A FAN. THANKS. KATHY CRAIG
Mikey Morphine

WHAT THE HELL! IM WATCHING THE MOVIE RIGHT NOW. ITS NOT A POT OF GOLD BUT IT WAS BY NO MEANS A BORING MOVIE, WELL WRITEN AND ACTION PACKED. IT IS ALSO THE OPENING FILM. IT SET THE HISTORY OF THE CHARACTER AND LEAD TOWARDS A SEQUEL, THE FIRST OF THESE KIND OF MOVIES ARE NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE THE HIEGHT OF THE SAGA. POINT IN FACT. X MEN 1, FANTASTIC FOUR, BATMAN BEGINS. THE REAL ACTION CAN ONLY BE SEEN IN THE SEQUEL WHEN THE VIEWERS UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTER FROM THE PREVIOUS FILM. I THOUGHT JANE THOMAS WAS AMAZING AS THE PUNISHER AND THROUGH THIS MOVIE BECAME MY FAVORITE ACTOR. THIS IS A TRUE DISAPPOINTMENT.
http://www.jenkins.com bill cosby

1st wasnt even bad. It was good.
Samantha

as much as i cant stand to see i think T.Jane made the right choice i would have done that i suppose....
Lane

Ok people who think this is going to be a good movie. I'm sorry to say this, but Thomas Jane was the best Frank Castle you could get. So this guy was in Rome. Whoopie! He also, hasn't been in a full blown motion picture that hasn't come out to movie theatres. Thomas Jane is a great Actor in my opinion. If any of you saw the movie The Mist you would know what I'm talking about. The Punisher is made to be Gritty, hardcore, and have a cold dead stare. Thomas Jane had all of it. I've read the comic books. I'm a huge fan. I know the background of the character. Please don't state things like " OH he was in Rome, glad to see him in a movie " when you don't even care about the Punisher or probably know anything about him. For a fan growing up reading the comics. Loving Frank as a hero. This is Extremely disapointing to me. Thomas in my opinion played it perfect. I'm sorry, but Marvel made a huge mistake! I'm very unhappy with what they have done. They got a new director and new actor. The director himself isn't all that great either. People, if your a fan of the Punisher like I am. You know this movie will be horrible. I know also what your thinking. "OH that's just some stupid kid ranting and being dumb" I'm 26 years old, married, have a house, great job, college degree, and a 1-year old son. I'm a comic book kid who has grown up. This movie my friends. I wont even waste my money on. HUGE THUMBS DOWN!
BOO

I too grew up with the Punisher comic book. I was a huge overall collector of comics. I didn't think Jane's 2004 punisher was bad at all. Perhaps what they should have done was put Punisher II's script back to release in 2004, then in 2008, release the origin of the Punisher. Comic book transitions to movies 'burn' the first movie for character development... sometimes this wanes because a chunk of the audience has no comic book background for the character. Anyway, I thought Dolf's punisher was awful, Jane's was spot on, and he seems charismatic. Oh well, what's done is done, I hate to see the Punisher not do well, since I'd always wanted it to do well and was already disgusted as a kid watching Dolf's version. I thought Jane's was the beginning of a good run, now it's all about what could have been.
Mark Mataban

Very Disapionted.Thomas Jane was perfect for the role,not to mention a great actor.I'll probably wait to see the new one on DVD,if I even watch it at all.
Jamie

I've just finished watching The Punisher for the umteenth time and agree Thomas Jane did an incredible job of bringing the character to life. I would not have hesitated to see him in the follow up Punisher film. Also, I have seen several of his other films (comedy and drama) and think he's an exceptional actor with a wide range of believable characters. I look forward to all his films.
ck

He makes a great Punisher, he conveyed the transition of the loving family man dedicated to his crime fighting job turned to dispair by the results of crime. In our lifetime, you will not get a better guy to play that role. I think that ultimately, that's why many of the comic based films don't do so well is that when it goes to film they stray too far from what the story is actually supposed to be. You can somewhat forgive whether or not the person actually looks like the character depending on some circumstances for a very fair trade of someone who embodies the personality of what that character is and portrays. A film should start with the origins and creation of their persona and then move to the later story lines to refresh comic fans and mostly those who haven't read the comics can learn about that character. They messed up. The new Punisher looks more like a James Bond film and it is going to suck. If they want to recover, then they'd better get Tom Jane back and get a good director while he's still young enough to do it
http://firstshowing.net Juan

Thomas Jane kicks ass dude..lol it sucks that he quit i dont think no one can be a better frank castle then him..just like there will never be a better joker then heath ledger..i wonder how dc will pull that off? what do u guys think?
nick

thomas jane killed that role. it was better than most action movies of the time. he made the movie. i never was disappointed in the first film. i will never see the second film.