Ben Barnes Character Confirmed For Netflix's & Marvel's 'The Punisher'

Netflix has confirmed that Ben Barnes will not be playing Bobby Saint, the corrupt crime prodigy played in the 2004 film by James Carpinello as sources previously speculated. Barnes has been cast as Billy Russo, Frank’s best friend from his days in the Special Forces. Billy runs a successful private military corporation called Anvil.

The Punisher appeared in the second season of Daredevil and Netflix took the character on for his own series. Steve Lightfoot will serve as showrunner and The Punisher marks Netflix’s sixth Marvel series, following Daredevil, Jessica Jones, the upcoming Luke Cage, and the in-the-works Iron Fist and The Defenders.

The Punisher is slated to bow in 2017.

Source: TVLine