The Punisher season 2 might be heading in a different direction

It was previously reported that The Punisher was looking to adapt Garth Ennis’ famous story arc, The Slavers.

However, new casting news looks like the show is going in a different direction. While the series could be making changes to the storyline, it appears as though the show will actually be following the Suicide Run plot. Also one of the most popular arcs for the Marvel anti-hero, the second season of the Netflix series is shaping up to be very promising.

Georgia Whigham’s recent casting as Amy Bendix hints that The Punisher will be following a different story than expected. The character has only ever appeared in the Suicide Run comics from the series and if she’s being introduced then it’s more than likely for an adaptation.

In the comics, she nurses Frank back to health after he escapes from New York on the brink of death. While the series appears to be changing the setting from Pennsylvania to Ohio, it seems like the show still intends to be faithful to the original story.

Thankfully, That Hashtag Show found the casting calls for a few new characters, which cements the Suicide Run as the focus of The Punisher season two.

"[Sheriff Bonnen] an authoritative male in his early 40s.[Deputy Willis] a female, 33-37, who is a good cop but looks out for #1 above all else.[Deputy Creamer] a 25-28 year old male who is described as optimistic and professional.[Bob] a male in his early 50s who works at the desk at the sheriff office."

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How exactly do the police get dragged into Frank Castle’s recovery? Turns out Amy’s father is actually the sheriff of their small town and takes it upon himself to bring Castle into holding. While the casting calls for a “Sheriff Bonnen” it does seem like the show plans to keep the small town police as some of the main characters.

Adapting Suicide Run also opens up the possibilities for the other new characters who have joined for the upcoming season — most notably Josh Stewart. He’s playing a man named John Pilgrim, who many believe to be taking on the role Jimmy Pierce played in the comics. Since Pierce actually takes up the mantle of The Punisher during Castle’s time in Pennsylvania, it would make sense for the show to introduce this character.

However, Pierce already appeared in Iron Fist as one of Colleen Wing’s cage fight opponents, so renaming him John Pilgrim isn’t all that weird.

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The Slavers is one of the most acclaimed arcs in The Punisher comic books, and it would be disappointing for the show not to try to adapt the story. Yet, many people pointed out early on how disturbing and violent it actually is which would explain why Netflix would want to hold out on bringing it to the silver screen.

While it’s possible for the storyline to be adapted in the future, it seems like the smarter move to do Suicide Run first.

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