Christopher Nolans The Odyssey: "The Punisher"-Star Jon Bernthal was casted

Another actor has joined Christopher Nolan's new film project. As the industry portal Deadline has learned, "The Punisher" star Jon Bernthal is to take part in "The Odyssey".

Jon Bernthal in The Odyssey

The new film from the "Oppenheimer" director is an adaptation of the famous "Odyssey". It is about the adventurous journey of Odysseus on his return home from Troy. Studio Universal describes the project as a "mythical action epic". It is not known yet which role Bernthal will play.

The actor gained popularity for the role of Shane in the zombie series "The Walking Dead", among others. In the film industry, he made a name for himself with his appearances in Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street" and Edgar Wright's "Baby Driver". In the Marvel cosmos, he appeared as the Punisher in the series of the same name. He will also be reprising this role in the upcoming sequel "Daredevil: Born Again" on Disney+.

Cast and theatrical release of The Odyssey

Bernthal joins an illustrious cast full of Hollywood A-listers in "The Odyssey". In addition to Hollywood star Matt Damon, Spiderman actor Tom Holland will also take on a role. Zendaya, who was recently seen in "Dune" and "Challengers", will also be part of the cast. Robert Pattinson, who has already starred in Nolan's "Tenet", will also be joining the cast.

A cinema release date has also already been announced for "The Odyssey". Christopher Nolan's new film awaits us on July 17, 2026.

Jon Bernthal and his roles

Jon Bernthal has established himself as a distinctive character actor in recent years. With his rugged presence, intense performance and ability to convince as a hero, antihero or antagonist, he has played a variety of roles that have made him a fixture in the film and series landscape.

The Walking Dead

One of his best-known roles is that of Shane Walsh in the series "The Walking Dead". As the best friend of the main character Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and later as one of the morally ambivalent characters in the series, Bernthal impressed with a portrayal that vacillated between hero and antagonist. Shane is often interpreted as a symbol of the disintegration of human values and the question of survival versus humanity. In the first season, the character is still predominantly positively characterized. However, the second season pushes his character development forward and shows the brutalization of people under the circumstances in the world of "The Walking Dead".

Marvel's The Punisher and Marvel's Daredevil

Bernthal first embodied the role of Frank Castle in "Marvel's Daredevil". His performance made the Punisher an audience favorite, which earned him his own spin-off.

In "Marvel's The Punisher", Bernthal appeared in one of the darkest and most violent superhero universes. Castle, a man seeking revenge on the city's criminals after the murder of his family, has the ability to convey an emotional connection to the audience. Bernthal plays the character with an intensity that makes the inner conflict and desperate search for justice palpable. The series showcased Bernthal as one of the best Punisher actors, as he brought the complex character to life and made the audience both terrified and empathetic.

The Wolf of Wall Street

In Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, Bernthal took on the role of Brad, an unscrupulous businessman who plays an important role in the illegal machinations of Wall Street. Although his screen time was limited, he managed to make a lasting impact with just a few scenes. Bernthal plays the character with an aggressive, almost cartoonish energy, which allowed him to hold his own in an ensemble of actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill.

The Bear

In the series "The Bear" , Jon Bernthal plays "Carmy" Berzatto's (Jeremy Allen White) deceased brother Mikey. His role can therefore only be seen in flashbacks, but nevertheless leaves a lasting impression. His performance in a highlight episode of the second season is particularly memorable. The flashback episode "Fishes" shows an emotional Christmas dinner in the Berzatto family. Jon Bernthal won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in this episode.