In case you're not familiar with "The Punisher's" storyline, the filmmakers offer the following summary of what they're hoping to bring to the screen: "'The Punisher'" tells the story of FBI undercover agent, Frank Castle, who until now has beat considerable odds. A former Special Forces operative, he is finally moving out of the field and into a desk job – and a normal life with his wife and son. Then Castle's world is shaken to its core by a nightmare he has longed feared: his family is executed as a repercussion from his final undercover assignment. With unparalleled intensity, ferocious intelligence and fearless actions, Castle seeks to punish the murderers – and finds the one thing he least expected: redemption.
On hiring Thomas Jane to bring 'The Punisher' to life, Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad explains, "Although Frank Castle is a tough-as-nails vigilante, he is, at his very core, an extremely tortured soul, a victim of survivor's guilt. Thomas Jane, being a character actor, is going to have all the dimension necessary to bring to life the depth of a character who is both the hero and the victim with the physicality of a Super Hero."
I had the opportunity to speak with Thomas Jane while at the World Premiere of "Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle" where he was supporting his "The Sweetest Thing" co-star, Cameron Diaz. Though as of this interview Jane hadn't yet begun filming "The Punisher," he enthusiastically answered a few of my questions.
What are you expecting from "The Punisher?"
I'm expecting it to really kick my butt (laughing).
What's the most daunting thing for you to do? Is it the physical stunts or the fact that you're taking on a comic book hero that people love?
Like I did with Mickey Mantle, it's taking on a figure that's just beloved by a lot of folks, and trying to give it everything that I've got so that they get the best of me. I give it every shot at just doing the absolute best that I can with it.
Were you a fan of the comic book prior to taking on the role?
No I wasn't a fan prior to because I didn't like superhero comics, but this guy is such an anti-hero that I've fallen in love with him. He's so dark and it's Marvel's darkest property, so I've fallen in love with the whole thing.
And he's not a typical superhero because he doesn't have special powers.
Right. He doesn't have super powers. He can't leap over tall buildings, he can't crawl up a wall, he's just really, really angry.
And John Travolta is going to be one of the main villains?
I can't wait. He's one of my heroes.
Have you done any preparation with him yet?
No, no I haven't. He's in Baltimore, which is where I was born, working on "Ladder 49," a fireman movie. We haven't hooked up yet but I look forward to it.
This is really a change for you. You've done romantic comedies, baseball movies, and now a super hero movie.
Yeah, I know. But it's in keeping with… I love playing guys who have some roots in the real world or are known figures. I get a kick out of it.
Have you had any encounters with comic book fans yet?
Yeah, I have. I've already signed a couple of comic books and people are excited about it.
Interview with Tom Jane just prior to the release of "The Punisher."
Additional Interviews from the World Premiere of "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
"The Punisher" Photo Gallery
"The Punisher" Trailer, Credits and Movie News
