Jane talks Punisher 2: Location, Villain and Script

[The Punisher]

Exclusive: Thomas Jane Talks Punisher 2
Jigsaw will be the villain in sequel.
by Scott Collura

December 8, 2006 - The recent release of The Punisher (Extended Cut) DVD by Lionsgate would seem to indicate that despite the lukewarm critical reception the film received when it was released in 2004, all the talk about a possible sequel for the Marvel Comics character might just be a reality. Perhaps the studio is using the new DVD to test the waters and see how much interest is out there in The Punisher, or maybe they already believe that the character has enough appeal to warrant another film and they're just cashing in with the extended cut in the meantime? Either way, the film's star Thomas Jane recently confirmed for IGN that the first movie's director and co-writer Jonathan Hensleigh is in fact working on a script for the sequel.

"It made enough money, you know," says Jane. "It has enough fans, so there's a lot of interest in another one. If we get a good script I think it will be a lot of fun."

The actor adds that the vigilante character will return to his traditional stomping grounds of New York for the film, and that a familiar villain will face The Punisher this time out.

"The villain is going to be Jigsaw," he says. "The film is going to be set in New York City, but beyond that I don't know [many details]."

Details or no details, Jane thinks that the move to New York is a great opportunity to refine the aspects of the first film that he believes worked best -- and to jettison the stuff that didn't.

"It's more of a Taxi Driver kind of a feel which I think we'll go for in the second movie," he says. "I think that's where the first one succeeded, where we were doing more realistic type stuff. And if we can, [we should] get away from the lighter aspects of the first film. Because I think that's where the movie failed."

But it all will come down to Hensleigh's script, which Jane is waiting for as much as all the rabid fanboys out there are. "If we get a script, then we will make the movie," he reiterates.

Crappy color, but still a good read. And we get a bit more info.

http://www.thepunisher.com/archives.html

 

[WeaponXProject]

Yes, sounds great! I'm as excited for this as I am for TDK or Iron Man, and that's alot. Yes!

 

[The Punisher]

Yeah the sequel should be great. I'm guessing they'll get a good script in early 07 imo.

 

[Retroman]

Good news i guess but with the Punisher sequel its very much a case of i believe-it-when-i-see-it.We've been down this road before.

Its going to be a long time before this hits theaters maybe 2008, if ever.Especially now that Jane is signed on to The Mist which shoots next Spring.

BTW whats up with the color? WTF?

 

[The Punisher]

I copied the interview from the site. So I don't know what happened when I pasted it. I hope more news picks up by the start of 07.

 

[Punisher 04]

Tom Jane went from we're close to filming to If there's a script there might be a sequel. Doesn't look good on the sequel coming out soon or even at all.

SUPERHERO FLIX:
When you make a film like The Punisher do you pay attention at all to it's legions of fans, or do you just try and put your own stamp on the character?

Thomas Jane:
I try and figure out what's so great about the character. I try and figure out what people like about Frank Castle, and what people like about the world that he inhabits. I try and capitalize on that and bring that to the screen, you know? It's not Rocket Science. If you like that dark and gritty stuff than you're gonna like the same kind of stuff. I do, I'm a fan of that kind of stuff, so I did what pleased me about it. I felt pretty confident that other people would respond to it, too. What I like about Frank is from the comic books. I like his antihero, outlaw, underdog status. I dig that kind of stuff.

So I was hoping other people would, too, and I guess they did. I think they kind of responded with the first one. They should be making another one, I don't know. It'd be nice.

SUPERHERO FLIX:
I thought that The Punisher 2 was definitely happening? Is it still up in the air?

Thomas Jane:
Well, everything's up in the air until we get a script. You could talk all day long about how you're gonna do another one. Until you get a script, what are you gonna do? You're just playing with your thumbs. So, show me a script and then I'll tell you if we're making a movie or not.

 

[Neo_aa]

God, he is so unhelpful. At least he's being honest now, even if he doesn't have a clue what's going on.

 

[ObakeTora]

Im sick of this sequel now. All weve heard were speculation. Poor Jane did a great job, however 13.5 mil to make a Punisher film? God theyre doing Castle durty!!!! I know Im just complaining but it makes me sick when you look out how well Punisher has been selling for over 30 years and they can't invest decent resources for this growing fan base. 13.5 mil? My sister made an independent film for that much. Anyway, at least we got Jane. And its reassuring to know he's going to bat for us, I just wish people would stop giving Castle a raw deal. Or maybe Punisher fans just need a bigger voice?

 

[comicfan4Life]

I too was pissed about that. Punisher has a big enought fan base to at least get around 80 million. Punisher war journal is pretty much sold out at every comic shop in Chicago. In a recent interview at the punisher.com Joe Q himself said marvel was going to have a lot of great and big things happen for Frank. This is just a shame. At least Tom is still interested and wants to do the character again.

 

[ObakeTora]

Maybe this is just being silly but Ive always felt that as a Punisher fan we are somewhat biased against by the Marvel Universe. Back in the mid 80;s the majority of Pun haters were X-men and Wolverine fans. They get their decent movie, and Hell Wolverine will get his probably in the budget of 80 milliano. It all makes me sick when I think about another 12 years to possible wait for the Punisher to see Justice on film. Personally I wish Heinsleigh would leave it alone and Punisher go to a better producer with more money time and resources invested. Lets face it, we all know LGF cares more about it's SAW franchise, so why are we letting Frank suffer with people that wont invest the time and money this character deserves?

 

[Kable24]

Simple. Because we want our Punisher movie so bad that we'll basically take whatever they give us. I remember reading Comic Scene magazine back in the 80's and seeing all of the stuff from the Lundgren Punisher and was excited to see my favorite character get a movie. When I finally got to see it, I loved it and watched it a lot. Now I can't stand it. I was just so thrilled to get a live action Punisher.

I wish Marvel would get the rights back from LGF and do a Punisher sequel.