At a Glance
- Jon Bernthal says the upcoming Punisher Disney+ special will be as “high-octane” as his appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Glen Powell is in talks to lead Sam Esmail’s secretive sci-fi film Tesseract
- Bowels of Hell turns toilets into murderous monsters, acquired by Blue Finch Films
- Ted season two drops March 5 on Peacock
**Why it matters: Fan-favorite antiheroes, A-list talent, and outrageous horror premises are colliding across screens big and small.
Marvel’s most lethal vigilante is sharpening his blades again, Glen Powell may dive into a mind-bending universe, and porcelain fixtures gain homicidal sentience in the latest genre shake-ups across film and television.
Bernthal Promises Punisher’s Deadliest Disney+ Outing Yet
Speaking with Screen Rant, Jon Bernthal vowed the stand-alone Punisher special will match the ferocity of his forthcoming stint in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
> “Around that same time there will also be this Punisher special that’s coming out that I think will be as sort of high-octane kind of Punisher as you’ve ever seen,” he said.
Bernthal emphasized continuity between the two projects, noting that the Punisher “could walk off of the Spider-Man set could walk on to the special set,” a goal he believes the teams achieved alongside Destin Daniel Cretton and Tom Holland.
Powell in Talks for Esmail’s Secret Sci-Fi Project Tesseract
Deadline reports that Glen Powell is negotiating to headline Tesseract, described as an “original sci-fi feature” from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail. Plot specifics remain sealed under studio lock and key.
| Project | Talent | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tesseract | Glen Powell (possible), Sam Esmail (director) | In talks |
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Jon Bernthal, Tom Holland, Destin Daniel Cretton | Post-production |
| Punisher Special | Jon Bernthal | Coming to Disney+ |
Cate Blanchett Flies Back for How to Train Your Dragon 2
Variety confirms Cate Blanchett will reprise the voice of dragon-rescuer Valka in the animated sequel How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Fifteen Dogs Novel Becomes Animated Feature
Copperheart Entertainment has tapped Chris Landreth to direct an adaptation of André Alexis’ novel Fifteen Dogs. The tale opens with Hermes and Apollo debating animal happiness over drinks in a Toronto bar, then granting a pack of dogs human-level intellect. The newly self-aware canines fracture into factions as they grapple with love, power, and mortality.
Killer Commodes Unleashed in Bowels of Hell
Blue Finch Films has scooped up worldwide rights to Bowels of Hell, a horror film that animates toilets as slasher villains. The story follows a mother battling unresolved trauma, a difficult child, and-once a curse strikes-sentient restroom fixtures. Blue Finch’s press release labels the film “a provocative and bold piece of filmmaking” exploring “profound themes” of maternal duty, grief, and existential dread despite its outrageous premise.
Diabolic Trailer Drops
A new trailer for Diabolic shows a reformed Mormon (Elizabeth Cullen) returning to her former compound only to confront a lurking demon.
Ted’s Crude Comeback Set for March
Seth MacFarlane’s foul-mouthed teddy bear returns in Ted season two, premiering March 5 on Peacock.
Key Takeaways
- Marvel fans can expect a seamless, ultra-violent Punisher across both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the upcoming Disney+ special
- Hollywood’s sci-fi slate gains star power with Powell potentially joining Esmail’s mysterious Tesseract
- From talking dogs to killer toilets, indie film continues pushing bizarre concepts into mainstream distribution
