- Primary Subject: Tom Holland's interest in an R-rated Spider-Man and Punisher crossover.
- Key Update: Tom Holland expressed excitement about potentially bringing Spider-Man into an R-rated environment to team up again with Punisher.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 2, 2026
- Quick Answer: Tom Holland wants to play Spider-Man in an R-rated project alongside Jon Bernthal's Punisher, repaying a favor to his long-time friend and co-star.
Tom Holland recently expressed interest in playing Spider-Man in an R-rated project starring Jon Bernthal's The Punisher.
The upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day will mark the first time that Frank Castle appears in a big-screen MCU project, and for Spider-Man and The Punisher to team-up together in the same MCU project. Fans have been looking forward to seeing how their dynamic will work, especially since the Punisher won't be in an R-rated environment.
Is Tom Holland Open to Playing Spider-Man in The Punisher Project?
In an interview with Empire magazine, Holland opened up about the possibility of playing Spider-Man in an R-rated Punisher project to team up with Bernthal again.
"I would love to pop up in one of [Punisher’s] shows. Let’s see what an R-rated version of Spider-Man looks like. I’m so grateful for Jon for taking the leap and being a part of the film, and I would love to repay the favour," he said.
While it is unlikely that it will happen due to rights issues, the possibility is still exciting a lot of fans, given that the two characters have teamed up multiple times in the comics, and the upcoming film might lead to more clamoring.
Not only that, Holland and Bernthal have been friends for several years time and they auditioned around the same time when Holland was pursuing the role of Spider-Man and Bernthal for The Punisher.
"I really wasn’t familiar with the Punisher. I wasn’t a huge comic-book guy. Tom was really the one that said, ‘Man, this character’s so great,’ and he explained it to me," Bernthal shared.
"We’ve remained friends over the years, but what a beautiful opportunity to do two movies back to back with him, with The Odyssey and Spider-Man. I love him. I’m so proud of him."
What to Expect in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will mark an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves.
Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city, a full-time Spider-Man, but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.
The cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, and Liza Colon-Zayas.
The film is set to release in theaters on July 31. It will also be available on IMAX in select international markets.
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