Jon Bernthal The Punisher

Jon Bernthal might have spoiled the news of the cancellation of Netflix’s ‘The Punisher.’ Before news broke that ‘The Punisher’ and Nertflix’s other surviving Marvel show, ‘Jessica Jones’ had been axed, Bernthal took to Instagram and Twitter to write:

“To all who have served. All who know loss. All who love and understand Frank and his pain. It has been an honor to walk in his boots. I’m endlessly grateful to the comic fans and the men and women of the Armed Services and law enforcement community who Frank means so much to. Thank you to the USMC and all the wonderful soldiers who trained me. Go Hard. Be safe.”

Obviously, Bernthal would have been one of the first people told about the cancellation, but it says something that his first impulse was to take to social media to inform and thank the fans who supported the show before the official announcement was made.

The plug being pulled on these two shows is no surprise.  They were the last two Marvel shows on Netflix, following the cancellations of ‘Iron Fist’, ‘Luke Cage’, and ‘Daredevil’.  ‘The Punisher’ Season Two premiered at the end of January, so everyone expected this news any time now.  It’s a bit more surprising that Netflix announced that ‘Jessica Jones’ was also axed, as there is still another season that has yet to become available.

These cancellations come in the wake of Disney acquiring 21st Century Fox and all its assets, which makes Disney the 60% controlling shareholder of Hulu, one of Netflix’s biggest competitors in the streaming market, as well as the impending arrival of a specially branded family service, Disney+ launching later this year.  Disney CEO Don Iger has already announced plans to expand Hulu globally, making it an even bigger threat to Netflix, so this severing of all ties is not shocking.

Disney+ is for kids.  (I just feel the need to continually mention this, as everyone on social seems to think that’s where these shows with all their guns and blood and drugs and sex and cussin’ are going to somehow end up.)

‘Jessica Jones’ Season Three is still on its way and should arrive on Netflix in spring of this year.