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It has been confirmed that Jon Bernthal will have a larger role than previously anticipated as Punisher in Spider-Man 4. Indeed, it had been hinted that he might have a sidekick helping him out. Now, a new rumor suggests who that sidekick may be and some of the unannounced casting for the long-awaited MCU movie.
Spider-Man 4: Rumored Punisher Sidekick Gets First Details
According to scooper MyTimeToShineHello on X, the Punisher will have a partner in Spider-Man 4. They did not announce who the partner is or who is playing them. However, they did confirm that Frank Castle’s sidekick is a woman.
Who might Punisher’s sidekick in Spider-Man 4 be?
Looking to the comics, there are some distinct possibilities as to what female characters might partner with Frank Castle and be introduced in Spider-Man 4. The most likely possibility is Lady Punisher. This likelihood is multiplied by the fact that more than one woman has used that codename.
(Image Source: Marvel / Mel Ruby)
The first Lady Punisher was an NYPD officer named Lynn Michaels. She encountered Frank Castle while trying to track down a serial rapist. Michaels worked with Frank on several cases, before turning to vigilantism herself. She was later recruited into SHIELD.
The second Lady Punisher was a USMC Sergeant named Rachel Cole. She ended her tour of duty to get married, only for her new husband and family to die when her wedding was interrupted by a gang war. Rachel met Frank Castle when she sought to destroy the syndicate behind the gangs. Since he was tracking the same group, they joined forces, with Cole adopting a uniform identical to that of The Punisher.
(Image Source: Marvel / Marco Checchetto)
Sadie Sink would be a fair likeness for Rachel Cole with short hair. Nicole Kidman might also be a dead-ringer for how some artists drew Lynn Michaels. That seems less likely, however, given Kidman is reportedly playing the main villain of Spider-Man 4.
Official plot details for Spider-Man 4 remain under wraps at this time.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in United States theaters on July 31, 2026, as part of Phase 6 of the MCU. That will be followed by Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027. Another Marvel movie is scheduled to come out between Doomsday and Secret Wars, but there are currently no details available regarding that project.