Punisher...the tv series?!

[RedIsNotBlue]

Punisher Headed for the Tube
Source: Variety
July 1, 2005


According to Variety, Lions Gate Films is pushing forward with a Punisher TV series:

A small-screen "Punisher" and "Dirty Dancing" are in the works. Two projects are in development with NBC. And there's a new TV documentary division, Feltheimer said.

Stay tuned for more on this project it comes in.

[thechubbysaint]

NBC? yikes. I could see it on F/X or HBO. Don't know how much the censors will constrain the character.

[Roughneck]

N?B?C?? What?


Why? And will it still be Tom Jane? What will this do to the Film Franchise?

[spider-jide]

I'm not liking this at all.

[jimthecomicguy]

Sounds like it could be a terrible idea. To be honest, the nature of the Punisher would work beautifully on HBO or F/X, but not NBC. As long as Joey doesnt do a cameo!

[WallCrawl]

N?B?C?? What?


Why? And will it still be Tom Jane?

Most likely not, I would think.

[brightgreenpeas]

They're not saying that the Punisher TV show is in development at NBC, but they have two other shows in development at NBC. Otherwise, it would have read "A small screen Punisher and Dirty Dancing are in the works. The two projects are in development at NBC."

[ChickenScratch]

Punisher on regular network TV would be weak. Withthe FCC on their backs the crew would never be able to bring to life the stories that we know the Punisher is capable of. Lion's gate should look into cable networks like HBO, Showtime or maybe Cinemax (they don't have a hit series yet I think) to give the character almost free reign ... or else this might suck just as much as Witchblade did.

[PaleRider]

Agreed with everyone on this, Frank on NBC is a very very bad idea. HBO great idea (if done properly) Man I really hope this doesn't go through. OR if it does it does after the sequel (mainly because we all know it would bomb abd destroy the movie franchise)

[Arsh]

I don't get HBO. Illegal downloads, here I come.

[Balthus Dire]

I was going to pitch this.








This angers me.

[Cromartie]

That is really dumb putting it on NBC like u guys said they should put it on f/x or HBO.

[citizenpain]

NBC is a tv company you fools. one of the first companies in the buisness. it's not just a channel. they own more than one type of media outlet -- not just the station with the same name. it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be on the nbc channel.

[I7eIVIoNBoY]

step aside alias, here comes the punisher!

[Batman15]

i dont like the fact that punishers being bundled up with dirty dancing :mad:

[Rizpower]

Morons, this in no way implies the Punisher is going to be on NBC. It didn't even say NBC was doing it, much less what channel it will be on. I can gurantee it won't be network.

[Batman15]

i doubt it ever actually happens :o

[BT18]

NBC Universal has its modern roots in a series of expansions undertaken by NBC. In the late 1980s, NBC began pursuing a strategy of diversification, including the formation of two NBC-owned cable-television networks, CNBC and America's Talking. NBC also has partial ownership of several regional sports channels and other cable channels, such as Court TV and American Movie Classics. NBC Super Channel reaches more than 65 million households in Europe.

In 1994, NBC began operating NBC Desktop Video, a financial news service that delivers live video to personal computers. In 1996 the company announced an agreement with the Microsoft Corporation to create MSNBC, an all-news cable television channel, using its subscriber base from its America's Talking network. The joint venture also included establishing a companion news service, MSNBC Online, on the World Wide Web. NBC Desktop Video and America's Talking were phased out. Also in 1996, NBC began broadcasting CNBC Europe, NBC Asia and CNBC Asia and in 1998 in partnership with Dow Jones & Co. they combined their financial news channels outside the US.

In 1999, NBC took a 32% stake in the Paxson group, operator of PAX TV. In 2004 NBC announced it was looking to sell its interest in PAX and end its 5 year relationship with Pax owner Paxson Communications.

In 2002, NBC acquired the US Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, which included the bilingual Mun2 Television (pronounced "moon dose").

Also in 2002, NBC acquired the cable channel Bravo.

In 2003, as part of the dismantling of the Vivendi Universal conglomerate, GE formed NBC Universal: 80% owned by GE, 20% by Vivendi. In 2006, Vivendi will have the right to monetize the remaining 20% at fair market value, which would result in a forced purchase by GE. The joint venture encompasses Vivendi's US film interests, such as Universal Studios production and distribution units, five theme parks, and cable television channels such as the USA Network, Sci Fi Channel, and Trio, a cable channel devoted to pop culture.

In 2004, the television production divisions of NBC Studios and Universal Network Television were combined to form NBC Universal Television Studio. NBC Studio series brought into the company include the NBC dramas Las Vegas (with DreamWorks SKG), Crossing Jordan, and American Dreams. Universal Network Television brought the Law & Order franchise and The District. Late night shows produced by the new group include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Saturday Night Live, and Last Call with Carson Daly.

The formation of NBC Universal saw the establishment of NBC Universal Cable, which oversees the distribution, marketing, and advertisement sales for twelve channels (Bravo, Bravo HD+, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, Sci Fi Channel, ShopNBC, Telemundo, TRIO, USA Network, and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also manages the company's investments in A&E, the History Channel, History Channel International, the Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel, and TiVo.

In the early 1990s, NBC began its expansion throughout Europe by creating CNBC Europe and its long-time successful NBC Europe Superstation by broadcasting NBC Giga throughout Germany and the rest of the European Union. NBC Europe helped to develop the largest European computer and video games expo "Games Convention" in Leipzig with more than 100,000 visitors each year.

[edit]

[SWAT]

and the point in all of that was?

[Rizpower]

NBC doesn't imply it will be on NBC the network.

First off, that article didn't say NBC was making the Punisher series, read carefully.

Far more importantly, even if it was, NBC is a conglomerate with all sorts of other channels beyond the main NBC network. They own Sci-Fi and USA, not my first choices, but F/X has done great things in a basic cable vernacular, who says USA couldn't?

Again, all that was purely explanatory, Punisher is NOT on NBC.

[Jigsaw]

Personally, I think it should be a premium service kind of thing, but whatever...

I'm not as much of a fan of TV as I am of movies.

Did anybody else remember that guy who posted the script to a possible TV series about a year ago? I remember flaming that guy and saying he was feeding us a load of bullcrap, but I wonder if this is that project he was talking about.

[Shockdingo]

Wow a tv series....hmmm just like people before me, I agree it would be best on HBO or something because it's just not Frank without the brutal freedom.

[RedIsNotBlue]

I may be the only one but I think it would be perfect if they did an animated series like they did with Spawn on HBO.

[HoboJoe]

That could be cool, then TJ could do the voice. It would lower the budget and allow for more elaborate and gory stories, bigger explosions, etc.

[RedIsNotBlue]

That could be cool, then TJ could do the voice. It would lower the budget and allow for more elaborate and gory stories, bigger explosions, etc.

Yeah Spawn won 2 Emmy's. Imagine if they put The Punisher on tv in the same way. :D

[Carter]

Greaaaaat USA, like WITCHBLADE!


yikes.....

[invincible mann]

believe it when i see it

[nrack]

Punisher TV-series? :confused:

NO! No, no, no, no, non, niet, nein, nay, never, ever, ever, ever, ever. http://www.superherohype.com/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif

[Rizpower]

Personally, I think it should be a premium service kind of thing, but whatever...

I'm not as much of a fan of TV as I am of movies.

Did anybody else remember that guy who posted the script to a possible TV series about a year ago? I remember flaming that guy and saying he was feeding us a load of bullcrap, but I wonder if this is that project he was talking about.
No. I assure you it wasn't him. He wrote a ton of fanfics saying they were "TV scripts" and I flamed him too, because I saw his Spider-Man and "James Bond JR." scripts. He sucked at life.

[Rizpower]

Greaaaaat USA, like WITCHBLADE!


yikes.....
Witchblade was on TNT, and if you recall, it was their only original show at the time. They mostly run reruns of Law and Order and ER.

[I_believe_you]

I wonder who would write for it?

[Rizpower]

A screenwriter with Ennis' inputs.

[jimthecomicguy]

The idea of a Punsher TV series on a cable network where the violence would not have to be edited would actually work better than the last movie did....and I loved the last movie. His stories fit better in an hour long format than they would in a two hour feature.

[Peyton Westlake]

Everyone is reading this wrong , I dont think it will be on NBC but a cable station owned by NBC. I think it may have a good chance on USA Network.

[I_believe_you]

If they do a story arc that would be great.

[owenstar]

His stories fit better in an hour long format than they would in a two hour feature.

Depends on who is writing the stories...Ennis' 6 issue arcs don't make for a 1 hour show...

[Balthus Dire]

I wonder who would write for it?



Me.


:)

[Rizpower]

Balthus, speaking of terrible stuff by Trilogors, go to the FF board, and help me explain the wrongness of his ways again. His Spider-Man meet the FF script is standard fare.

[Rukus]

I would like a adult animated series for the Punisher. After they had Spawn on HBO awhile back I thought that would be perfect for the Punisher also.

[owenstar]

I am with you rukus...and they didnt say it was live action or animated...It still could be

[Balthus Dire]

The one I was writing was intended to be animated.


:(

[Master Kenobi]

An animated series would be better.

You can have the violence and cool storylines while at the same time not recasting anyone.

I would think it would be on HBO, unless maybe a channel like FX gets it for a late night show or something.

[RedIsNotBlue]

An animated series would be better.

You can have the violence and cool storylines while at the same time not recasting anyone.

I would think it would be on HBO, unless maybe a channel like FX gets it for a late night show or something.

And they would not have to spend as much money to do the effects and stunts if they were just drawn.

[WhatsHisFace]

Sounds like it could be a terrible idea. To be honest, the nature of the Punisher would work beautifully on HBO or F/X, but not NBC. As long as Joey doesnt do a cameo!
I think they could turn this around to work in their favor by leaving the violence to our imagination.

Show Frank holding a guy up to a barbed-wire fence, then cut away to a flow of pidgeons that flys away when the screaming starts.

Then cut back to the guy with cuts and scratches all over him.

[Balthus Dire]

Pffffft.



I'd rather see what he does with the fence. :)

[Rizpower]

For reference: BattleStar Galactica is made by NBC Universal. It airs on Sci Fi, but NBC produces it.

If you have a problem with the production values on BSG, you're a moron.

[The Evil One]

I would like a adult animated series for the Punisher. After they had Spawn on HBO awhile back I thought that would be perfect for the Punisher also.


I rather it be an adult animated series too. Tom Jane would of course have to do the voice.

[Punisherfan13]

An animated series would go along good because Pun. is from the comics. So to me it just seems like I'd be watching a Pun. comic.

[Retroman]

What ever happened to the proposed Punisher tv series?:huh:

[RedIsNotBlue]

What ever happened to the proposed Punisher tv series?:huh:

Didn't MSJ said he is doing something with HBO right now but can't talk about it?? Hmm we can only hope.

[Retroman]

That would be cool but first we need to get the sequel moving forward for that to happen. HBO or not.

[RedIsNotBlue]

They could still do an animated series with a sequel being made.

[FireandIce213]

NOOO! I want a sequel...I hope they still do one. If they do a Punisher tv series I hope its animated like yall said, TJ did a great job on the video game, why get anyone else? A watered down, censored Punisher just wont feel right to me.

[The Apatow Crew]

This is going to just end up like the blade tv series cancelled either half way or at the end of the season.

They should just stick to the movies. Cause the cartoon and tv shows of late are getting canned left and right.

[RedIsNotBlue]

Well it all depends on how they do it.

[Shockdingo]

That's true, if it is really well written and it doesn't make audiences THINK it is cliche' then it will go great. It's got to entrance comic fans as well as casual viewers, but if people go "Meh wow...a revenge story, that's great..." it wont do as well. But if it has the Punisher and colorful rogues he's come across like Tombstone, kingpin, bonebreaker, russia, Jigsaw then it'll catch peopl'e attention, heck we could have Daredevil cameos for added measure. Aaaaah to dream...uh.... >_0 monocle vanish *poof*

[Shockdingo]

edit: double post

[Retroman]

They could still do an animated series with a sequel being made.
An animated series would be cool. It'll probably out last the feature films.

[tecnowraith]

Out of all the Marvel heroes, I think the Punisher would work better as a live-action tv than any other marvel hero. Blade series was ok but they lowered his fighting abilities and powers greatly from the movies and comics.

[citizenpain]

it wouldn't end up like the blade series if it was late night on a premium channel and therefore could be gritty and violent. if hbo is so keen on the preacher, maybe they'll eventually pick up the punisher. some of the ennis arcs would translate well on television, especially the max stuff. lets hope the sequel is awesome and blows the first outta the water and maybe one day we'll get this show.

[crimsonarmor]

well the punisher 2 is being made, i think tom jane is a great punisher. What hollywood needs to learn is that they should keep to the real story lines and not go off other directions like they did with punisher 2004, the origin about the whole family, i dont even remember reading in any of the comics him being an fbi agent either. its a waste of time doing that and could have been used for something more exciting. As for the tv series i would love to see one after a few movie sequels. As long as they keep to the true frank castle as a gritty hardcore soldier who's out to kick ass. involve chip his side kick, and make sure it doesn't go in the direction Blade series has.

[The Red Hood]

If this does happen, I suggest Richard Burgi ("The Sentinel," "Firefly") as an older, comics-accurate Punisher. He's about Frank's age in the comics now and has the look and the build.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/15/jimleansab9.jpg

'Hood

[Punisher_62]

maybe on showtime but f/x still constrains to much I mean watch the movie on monday and see how much they will cut out of it.

[The Red Hood]

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/7757/burgicastlesc7.jpg

[Hypestyle]

if a series was done, hmm.. should it be heavy on action, or just heavy on characters, ala The Sopranos.. if they could get some of those writers involved, that would be good.. each season Frank could take on a new Mob family...

[Arkady Rossovich]

This is going to just end up like the blade tv series cancelled either half way or at the end of the season.

They should just stick to the movies. Cause the cartoon and tv shows of late are getting canned left and right.

I agree,this will be a downright failure.No chance.