If Punisher WZ doesn't succeed, how about...

[The Red Hood]

...bringing Frank to television?

Now let's not be stupid here. I don't mean any of the major non-cable networks, which would neuter the character and get it canceled in less than a month.

I'm talking about HBO or Showtime, maybe FX as well.

Though I think HBO would be best.

I think The Punisher is well suited to the episodic format. Imagine being able to fully adapt some of the MAX stuff. It would do extremely well on HBO.

And I say go with Stevenson again. He's definitely got the chops and the look.

If not him, go with Richard Burgi from The Sentinel, Firefly, and Saw IV.

Thoughts?

AND NO, I'M NOT EVEN CLOSE TO SUGGESTING THIS FILM WON'T SUCCEED...I VERY MUCH WANT IT TO AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!

Hood

 

[dnno1]

Spike TV.

 

[The Red Hood]

^^^Like I said, let's not think of stupid places to put this series.

Spike would fail the series just like it did Blade.

I think you knew this before posting, so you thought you'd be "clever."

How about some serious, thoughtful feedback?

'Hood

 

[S. Grundy]

HBO and Showtime would be the top 2. FX wouldn't be bad either, outside of not showing **** or saying ****, and the violence wouldn't be super gory, but I don't think it needs to be super gory.

 

[The Red Hood]

^^^I agree. I think too much gore and it'll lose some of the impact. It's much more effective in some cases when it's not shown.

That said, I'd still prefer HBO, though I'd have to get HBO if they created a Punisher series.

Hood

 

[Microchip]

It's an interesting idea. I'm not sure it'd find a market that'd support the budget it'd need to be good though. Still, could work! I'd prefer it to be SOMEWHAT in universe though, rather than stuck in the real-world stuff that MAX treads on. That might broaden it's appeal a bit, if even it only hints a little at it.

 

[Kable24]

Obviously, I think we all agree that HBO/Showtime would be the best place for these, but I could see FX doing it some serious justice as well. FX can get away with a lot of things such as language and nudity at times. I'd love to see a Punisher series.

 

[Morg]

Spike TV.

sure, they did a great job with Blade

 

[Kable24]

It's a shame too because Blade got better as the series went along and the season cliffhanger had me jonesing for the second season, but we got nothing.

 

[Microchip]

I found Blade pretty boring actually. Maybe it's one of those things where you have to watch it from the start to appreciate it, and can't really just jump into a random episode and enjoy it. But I'd hope that Punisher would be filled with more action. Less arcs too, if possible. Blade seemed like it was really arc-driven. One-off stories are so much better in the first season.

 

[bloodpack]

this is the third time theyll do the film

personally, if this one dont succeed, it can only mean that the punisher's story isnt really meant for the bigscreen
i mean, hes really better off on books than in live-action movie

what really makes the punisher hits more in comicbooks is because writers can really put good 'literary artististry' in his storytelling which differs in live movie
plus in books, artists have their way of dramatically portraying/rendering frank castle, which again, really differs in panel to panel display in movies

the only person i know who can really mimic and can capture comicbook panels to live film is frank miller (i.e. 300, sin city)

so yeah, if this doesnt work, then lets all face it, frank isnt meant for a movie rendition

 

[citizenpain]

what really makes the punisher hits more in comicbooks is because writers can really put good 'literary artististry' in his storytelling which differs in live movie
plus in books, artists have their way of dramatically portraying/rendering frank castle, which again, really differs in panel to panel display in movies

the best directors would know how to interpret that onto the big screen correctly. problem is, the people who have been chosen to direct the punisher films so far were anything but. even warzone seems like it might be falling slightly short of the mark. i've always thought the punisher seemed so perfect for a live-action adaptation, and it looks like warzone will the closest anybody has come yet. i'm pretty psyched about the film but also am a bit skeptical about a few things, like the terror plot, and mis-use of some characters... but as long as they got the persona of the punisher right, i'll be happy, cuz that's something the first two films failed at.

either way, the punisher on hbo would be awesome. i remember this being brought up on these forums after the 04 film was released. a dark and gritty late-night show basically adapting various max arcs. yesss! has garth ennis ever written for television? pardon me while i drool over this idea...

 

[Kable24]

the best directors would know how to interpret that onto the big screen correctly. problem is, the people who have been chosen to direct the punisher films so far were anything but. even warzone seems like it might be falling slightly short of the mark. i've always thought the punisher seemed so perfect for a live-action adaptation, and it looks like warzone will the closest anybody has come yet. i'm pretty psyched about the film but also am a bit skeptical about a few things, like the terror plot, and mis-use of some characters... but as long as they got the persona of the punisher right, i'll be happy, cuz that's something the first two films failed at.

either way, the punisher on hbo would be awesome. i remember this being brought up on these forums after the 04 film was released. a dark and gritty late-night show basically adapting various max arcs. yesss! has garth ennis ever written for television? pardon me while i drool over this idea...

Yes because we know there were no other Punisher comics before this.


How about some original stories for a tv series??

 

[Microchip]

Punisher's never gotten a big-budget movie treatment either. I guess that contributes to the fact there haven't been any superstar directors, but it also means that there won't be any big sets, large-scale action battles, or A-list actors.

If Iron Man got made three times with a budget ranging between 1 and 15 million dollars, people might be saying it's not suitable for the big screen. If Punisher ever got a chance with a blockbuster budget, I think it'd succeed. However, it can't do that being rated R. I also think this would apply to TV too. The writing/direction would have to be REAALLY good to make up for the low budget it's bound to have, especially if it's on HBO or something.

 

[Kable24]

a character like the Punisher doesn't need a "blockbuster" budget to be successful. Money doesn't make a movie good. What it needs is a great script, a director who can use the smaller budget to his advantage and actors who can truly act and make you love the hero and hate the villain. I will say though the budgets the three Punisher movies have had, aren't enough. I think a decent budget for the Punisher is $50,000,000. this assures decent SFX, Pyro, and other things a Punisher movie needs. Given what Jonathan Hensleigh had budget wise with the first one, I have to say when there was pyro and explosions, he made it look good.

Picture a Punisher series in the vain of something like The Shield, CSI, or any other action/drama show out there.

 

[Microchip]

Except with R-rated blood and gore.

I'd be ok with a $50,000,000 budget. The problem is, you really do need a director/script writer who know what they're doing. There may be a lot of diamonds in the rough out there, but I assume the more money you have to pay, the better quality crew you'll get.

 

[citizenpain]

Yes because we know there were no other Punisher comics before this.


How about some original stories for a tv series??

yes because that's exactly what i was saying.

i just feel that the max series would translate best to television because of its adult content and themes. some of that stuff is perfect for late night hbo. the idea of original stories for the tv series did come to my mind, but then it would most likely end up being watered down, unless it was written by ennis himself or somebody of equal chops.

 

[bloodpack]

the big question is why? why are they holding back the punisher film? budget-wise/script-wise/director-wise/actor-wise?

 

[citizenpain]

well right now i would say it's the fact that the property is with lionsgate. if the rights ever revert back to marvel, then the punisher would probably get a sweet budget... i keep hearing around here that marvel won't be making r rated films, but i could have sworn i read otherwise somewhere.

 

[bloodpack]

ooooh...now i remember

when the punisher comicbook was first release, marvel refused to promote it, they would just print it and then sell it but after the character gained popularity, they reversed theire earlier stance and promoted the book

i think its the same as in the movie
marvel dont like the idea of creating a blood and gore, ultra violent, R-rated movie
but i think they really should!

 

[comicfan4Life]

A punisher series would be great. HBo could be a good network for it with it's experience with certain shows like Sorpranos & the wire, as would Showtime with shows like Dexter & Brotherhood. FX could be good too, with shows like The Shield and Rescue me. I agree with Red Hood, if Ray can't do it then Richard Burgi can pull it off. He'd make a great Frank Castle. If not him maybe, Chris Meloni from Law and Order: SVU?

 

[FrankCastle6]

I think FX would be great. Fairly major, but they wouldn't have to mess it up. Idk though, I don't think I could stand to see Frank turn into a joke because of poor writing or misunderstanding the character. That would be tragic

 

[jayff2005]

i know this probably isnt the place but is this gonna be a continuation of the first movie or like the hulk and just be a retake on what has already been done.