“Why are his hands red?”—Fans erupt with memes as Marvel Studios announces a ‘PUNISHER’ special with Jon Bernthal returning

Marvel fans, rejoice (or maybe panic)! Jon Bernthal is officially returning as Frank Castle in a Punisher special at Marvel Studios. The news has sent shockwaves across social media as fans process the idea of the Punisher finally getting the MCU treatment.

But instead of just celebrating, the internet did what it does best: drenched the announcement in memes, concerns, and some good old-fashioned skepticism. Because when it comes to Frank Castle, expectations are high, and one wrong move could lead to a digital riot.

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Marvel Studios’ Punisher Special Sparks Internet Frenzy

The news came via @ComicBook, and while Marvel didn’t drop any juicy details, the mere mention of Bernthal’s return was enough to send fans into a meme-fueled meltdown.

Within minutes, one particular reaction took over:

“Why are his hands red?”

It became the unofficial slogan of the announcement, referencing Castle’s famously brutal methods.

Others wondered why it was called a special instead of a full-fledged movie, while some questioned if Bernthal was even the right pick for the role (bold move, but okay).

The biggest concern, though? Whether or not Marvel would soften Castle’s edge to fit their current lineup. Because, let’s be honest, Punisher isn’t exactly known for family-friendly storytelling.

A section of fans is already side-eyeing Marvel, fearing a watered-down version of their favorite vigilante. Some pleaded:

“They better not soften up the Punisher!” complete with angry emojis for emphasis.

Others turned the name itself into a warning, begging Marvel:

“Don’t punish us by ruining Punisher.”

The desperation is real.

Then there were those who just couldn’t get past the special label:

“Why not just call it a movie?” seemed to be a shared frustration.

The idea of Punisher getting anything less than a full-blown, big-budget return doesn’t sit well with die-hard fans.

And, of course, every fandom has its doubters:

“He is not Frank Castle,” a bold take considering Bernthal’s past performance has been widely praised.

But hey, internet discourse wouldn’t be the same without at least one hot take thrown into the mix.

At this point, Marvel hasn’t given fans much to go on, which is both exciting and terrifying. On one hand, Jon Bernthal's return as Punisher is a huge win. On the other, fans are bracing themselves for whatever changes might come with an MCU version of Frank Castle.

One thing is certain: whether Marvel nails it or fumbles hard, the internet is ready with more memes, reactions, and (let’s be real) a potential online petition if things go south.