Jon Bernthal On If Iron Fist’s Poor Reception Affects The Punisher

The critical failure of Iron Fist seemingly hasn’t impacted the upcoming Punisher series.

Netflix had an impressive, almost flawless batting average with its Marvel properties by critic standards until Iron Fist rolled around. In the wake of highly praised Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Daredevil seasons, the Finn Jones-lead Iron Fist series tanked down to a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Iron Fist will seek redemption in fan and critic eyes when The Defenders rolls around, the ensemble series with each of the previous mentioned titular characters which is already earning praise, but the Punisher will be first in line to follow their team-up. According to series lead and titular anti-hero Jon Bernthal, the Punisher series will not be influenced by the negativity surrounding Iron Fist.

“For me, with all due respect, it’s not about reviewers,” Bernthal said. “I promised them I’d do my best to try to get this right — and I hope we did. One thing I can say is we fought hard.”

The actor has been quite vocal about his strong belief in delivering a character which fans will appreciate it. Prior to screening The Punisher footage at San Diego Comic-Con in July, the former Walking Dead star stressed how important it is to him to get the character right in honor of those fans who have stuck with and found influences and hope in the troubled character for years.

The Punisher stars Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle), Jason R. Moore (Curtis Hoyle), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (David Lieberman), Michael Nathanson (Sam Stein), Jaime Ray Newman (Sarah Lieberman), Amber Rose Revah (Dinah Madani), Paul Schulze (Rawlins), Daniel Webber (Lewis Walcott), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Kobi Frumer (Zach Lieberman), Ripley Sobo (Leo Lieberman), Kelli Barrett (Maria Castle), Ben Barnes (Billy Russo), and Aidan Pierce Brennan (Frank Castle Jr.).

The Punisher series does not yet have a release date but is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2017.

(via ET)