Ben Affleck Reflects on Leaving Daredevil Behind While Praising Jon Bernthal’s Gritty Punisher Return

Ben Affleck, who portrayed Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the 2003 film Daredevil, recently discussed his thoughts on the character and the evolution of superhero films. During an interview with CinemaBlend, he expressed his satisfaction with leaving the role behind, especially in light of the success of his The Accountant 2 co-star Jon Bernthal as The Punisher.

Affleck acknowledged that the early Daredevil story was part of a different era for Marvel, one that came before Kevin Feige’s leadership. He highlighted the significant changes in the superhero genre since his time as Daredevil, particularly in how tone and special effects have evolved.

Affleck Reflects on Marvel’s Evolution, Praises Bernthal’s Dark, Intense Punisher Performance

Affleck noted that the Daredevil film came out before Marvel Studios found its footing under Kevin Feige. He explained that Feige’s leadership helped clarify the tone of superhero films, striking a balance between the seriousness of the story and the inherent silliness of characters wearing costumes with superpowers.

Affleck acknowledged how Marvel films have successfully navigated this challenge, combining visual effects with solid performances. He also pointed out that these changes allowed talented actors like Bernthal to bring their own distinct interpretations to characters like The Punisher.

Although Affleck has not yet seen the new Daredevil series, he shared his admiration for the character and wished the new actor portraying Daredevil the best. However, Affleck humorously remarked that he wouldn’t want to go up against Jon Bernthal’s Punisher. His comments reflect the shift in tone and intensity that superhero shows have undergone, with Bernthal’s portrayal of The Punisher being seen as particularly hard-hitting and dark.

Jon Bernthal Returns as The Punisher, Promising Dark, Brutal Tone in New Marvel Special

Jon Bernthal, who first appeared as Frank Castle/The Punisher in Marvel’s Daredevil series before starring in his own show from 2017 to 2019, has returned to the role in Daredevil: Born Again. Following this, Marvel announced a special Punisher project in February, which is expected to delve further into the character’s dark and intense world.

Bernthal himself teased the upcoming special during SXSW, promising that it would remain faithful to the darker tone of the Netflix series, with Frank Castle not shying away from his brutal methods. He assured fans that this would not be a watered-down version of The Punisher.

While Affleck’s journey as Daredevil came to an end long ago, he did return to the superhero world as Batman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and The Flash (2023). Like Bernthal, who made a return to Marvel, Affleck’s superhero journey continued in a different capacity, transitioning from one iconic role to another. Despite their different paths, both actors have maintained a strong presence in the superhero genre, leaving their mark in contrasting yet significant ways.