Jon Bernthal has had a landmark year in 2024, starring in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey,’ Sony’s ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ and contributing to a Disney+ special, while also voicing his views on pit bull stereotypes.

A Decade of Marvel and New Beginnings

Bernthal and Tom Holland’s collaboration in the Marvel Cinematographic Universe (MCU) began in 2015 when they filmed audition tapes for their respective roles as the Punisher and Spider-Man on the set of the period drama ‘Pilgrimage.’ Now, after a decade of playing their roles, the two actors share the screen for the first time in ‘Brand New Day.’ The film marks Bernthal’s first appearance as The Punisher in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, a milestone he has been building toward for years.

According to Variety, Bernthal described the experience of working with Holland as ‘beautiful’ and ‘coming full circle,’ given their shared history. Both actors also appeared in ‘The Odyssey,’ directed by Christopher Nolan, where Holland played Telemachus and Bernthal portrayed King Menelaus. This prior collaboration, as Holland noted in Infobae, gave them a unique sintonía that translated into the dynamic of their characters in ‘Brand New Day.’

A Busy Year in Film and Television

Bernthal’s 2024 has been marked by a string of high-profile projects. In addition to ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Brand New Day,’ he starred in the Netflix limited series ‘His and Hers,’ co-wrote and starred in the Disney+ special ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill,’ and contributed to a special episode of FX’s ‘The Bear.’ His Broadway performance in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ further solidified his year of theatrical and cinematic success.

The Undead Walking report highlights that ‘Brand New Day’ is receiving critical acclaim and is projected to outperform ‘Avengers: Endgame’ at the domestic box office. This is a significant achievement for a film featuring a street-level character like The Punisher, which has not previously had such a prominent role in the MCU.

Beyond Acting: Bernthal’s Pit Bull Advocacy

Outside of the screen, Bernthal has been vocal about his opposition to the stigma surrounding pit bulls. In an interview with Complex, he described the fear of pit bulls as ‘dog racism,’ comparing it to discrimination against people based on race or sexual orientation. He emphasized that a dog’s behavior is shaped by its owner and upbringing, not its breed.

According to the ASPCA, many pit bulls are bred for appearance rather than temperament, which can lead to behavioral issues. Bernthal criticized those who choose pit bulls for a ‘tough’ image without providing proper care or training. He stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership and the role of training in shaping a dog’s behavior.

‘If a pit bull bites you, it kind of sucks,’ Bernthal joked. ‘But they’re no more likely to bite you than a Chihuahua or any other breed of dog.’