In the wake Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas, Netflix and Marvel Television have pulled The Punisher out of New York Comic Con’s lineup.
The Punisher Panel Officially Cancelled
The new series, a 13-episode Daredevil spin-off, has been teased heavily in recent weeks by the streaming service, but the planned panel was ultimately deemed insensitive. The Punisher features Frank Castle, played by Walking Dead alum Jon Bernthal, a firearm-wielding military vet turned vigilante, who uses his skills to kill criminals responsible for his family’s death. The Marvel Comic series it’s based on is known for its heavy use of gun violence.
In a joint statement Wednesday, Netflix and Marvel said, “We are stunned and saddened by this week’s senseless act in Las Vegas.” They added that “after careful consideration,” they did not feel the panel would be appropriate. “Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and those affected by this tragedy.”
The Punisher panel was originally scheduled for Saturday, locking in the 5:15-6:15 timeslot at Madison Square Garden. While panels for Shadowhunters, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Star Trek: Discovery, and The Walking Dead will all go on as planned, there is no word yet on what NYCC will add in The Punisher’s place.
New York Comic Con Addresses Cancellation
NYCC responded to the cancellation late Wednesday night:
New York Comic Con wholeheartedly supports Netflix & Marvel’s decision to cancel Saturday’s The Punisher panel. NYCC takes great pride in offering fans the best in pop culture programming and we are working tirelessly to fill that time spot at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. We will continue to update fans via our social channels throughout the weekend.
It still remains unclear when The Punisher will arrive on Netflix. Rumors that it would premiere on October 7th seem to have been squashed, in light of the shooting in Las Vegas and the panel’s subsequent cancellation.
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