Vincent D’Onofrio Addresses If Kingpin Will Be In Jon Bernthal's Punisher Spinoff Following Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 Finale

WARNING: This articles includes MAJOR SPOILERS from Daredevil: Born Again episode 9.Following the major events of the Daredevil: Born Again season 1 finale, Marvel Cinematic Universe star Vincent D’Onofrio addresses whether Kingpin might be in Jon Bernthal's Punisher spinoff project. As Daredevil: Born Again episode 9 ended with Mayor Fisk having declared all vigilante activity illegal, the MCU TV show put another story into motion, but not for Matt Murdock. Instead, Frank Castle's next MCU appearance got a slight setup, thanks to the Daredevil: Born Again post-credits scene.

In a new interview with Variety, D'Onofrio was asked about the massive post-credits scene from Daredevil: Born Again episode 9 where Punisher was able to escape from Kingpin's imprisonment. After being asked if Mayor Fisk is aware that Frank has escaped, the MCU veteran was also asked about whether Kingpin is expected to be in Bernthal's Punisher MCU Special Presentation, as D'Onofrio said the following:

Variety: I’ll give you another one. Does Kingpin know that Punisher escapes from his cage in the post-credits scene? Should Kingpin be afraid?
Vincent D'Onofrio: I don’t think Kingpin would be Kingpin if he was afraid of Punisher, and vice versa. I don’t think Punisher would be Punisher if he was afraid of Kingpin. A meeting of those two has gone down before in the original Netflix series. I’m sure it will happen again at some point. I don’t know when, though. I think that he does know that he’s gone. Eventually, he knows that he’s not there anymore. So far it’s a small part of the second season. We have to see what the one-off thing that they’re planning on doing with the Punisher, that should be interesting to see. I don’t know if it’s a “What If…?” film or if it’s connected to our series or not, but it’ll be interesting to see. I love Jon’s Punisher. I think he does a great job on it.
Variety: So no Kingpin in the Punisher one-shot?
Vincent D'Onofrio: If there is, nobody’s told me.

What Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin Comments Mean For Jon Bernthal's Punisher Spinoff

While D'Onofrio may not be aware if Mayor Fisk is or isn't in Frank's solo project, there are a few key details to take into account. As Bernthal's Punisher MCU Special Presentation isn't coming up until 2026, it might be too soon for Marvel Studios to say whether or not Kingpin will be part of the Phase 6 installment. If Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green are still writing the Punisher special, it would make sense that D'Onofrio doesn't know if he is set to reprise the role in the offshoot.

Once Bernthal's MCU Special Presentation starts filming, which would have to be sometime later in 2025, that may be when it becomes finalized if Kingpin ends up being part of Frank's new story. Given how connected the two characters are, it would make sense for Punisher and Kingpin to be featured together in Bernthal's MCU release in some capacity. It would also help them build a bridge for what is to come in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, which is also scheduled to premiere in 2026.

Our Take On Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin Comments

Mayor Fisk at diner in Daredevil Born Again

While time will tell if D'Onofrio ends up being part of it, it's clear that he loves what Bernthal does with the character, and it wouldn't come as a shock if he agreed to an offer from Marvel Studios to be part of the spinoff, if that is in the plans. Seeing Frank Castle and Mayor Fisk clashing again in the MCU timeline would be a huge deal, which is hopefully something Marvel Studios intends to do. Whether that is in the Punisher spinoff or in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, fans have likely not seen the last of Castle and Mayor Fisk together.