Thomas Jane has created a fan film for Frank Castle – aka The Punisher – a character he once played on the big screen.
The film is not produced by the character’s copyright holders (thus calling it a ‘fan film’), but it showed up at Comic-Con, and premiered during Fox’s press event, right next to footage from Man of Steel.
“I wanted to make a fan film for a character I’ve always loved and believed in — a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans,” says Jane on the film’s YouTube page. “It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It’s been a blast to be a part of from start to finish — we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
The film is really enjoyable because it isn’t structured and doesn’t pull any punches. It’s probably one of the best depictions of the character on film, depicted the way I’ve always felt he would be in a ‘real’ setting.
He’s just a guy going about his day who happens to beat in a few heads of people who really deserve it along the way. He doesn’t even need the skull-shirt to do it. The decision to move is tense, and protracted, even allowing us to hate the character for a moment the way we should. The delay is not artificial or device. Then, when the ass-kicking does begin, it’s fluid and natural (not to mention extremely brutal).
If The Punisher ever returns to the silver screen, it should be like this (note: not suitable for young viewers or workplaces). Currently there are no plans for a Punisher film or television series, though there are versions of both which have been shelved by Fox.
Dirty Laundry was directed by Phil Joanou and Written by Chad St. John. In addition to Jane, the film stars Ron Pearlman.
