With the critical success of WandaVision proving that Marvel Studios can dominate both TV and movies, the floodgates are open to possibilities of what new stories and characters can be introduced. The biggest names on fan's lists include the characters that had originally appeared on Netflix but were canceled. Names like Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist. With the Netflix characters' rights finally reverting to Marvel Studios, the character's returns aren't a matter of if but when.
One character that fans couldn't get enough of was Jon Bernthal's portrayal of The Punisher. Aside from Charlie Cox's Daredevil, Bernthal's return as the gun-toting vigilante is the most anticipated entry into the MCU. His return would also be one of the most simple because the template for an explosive return is laid out in Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon and Jimmy Palmiotti's arc "Welcome, Back Frank."
The Punisher's character has been the subject of discussions both politically and ethically in the Marvel Universe and the real world. Frank Castle's motivations are typically put under the microscope because of its over-the-top brutality. Ennis, Dillon and Palmiotti's run on The Punisher turns this idea on its head and goes so over the top it's seen less as glorification and more like dark humor. The twelve-issue arc has gone so outrageous that it even shows Frank punching a polar bear.
When adapting the series into the MCU, it's imperative only to borrow the moments that work with the character, as the book's campy tone wouldn't fit well with Bernthal's portrayal. The story would begin with Frank returning to New York City after some time and discovering that everything is much worse than when he left it. This could be because the rise of superheroes gave way to more crime that cops and heroes couldn't handle. These events would serve as a call to action for Frank, who returns to the warzone to fight against the criminals in the city.
The arc also featured a host of villains, such as the powerful and deadly assassin, The Russian. While he only had a short stint in the book, the character was popular enough to be immortalized in the 2004 film, The Punisher. The main enemy would be the crime lord Ma Gnucci. The Gnuccis are a prominent mafia family in the Marvel Universe and a great way to introduce the underbelly of crime into the MCU.
If the heads at Disney or Marvel wanted to take a chance, the series would be a great addition to the Disney+ lineup of shows. However, due to its level of violence, the show may be better suited for one of their sister streaming stations like Hulu. The other option could be a continuation through multiple films in which Frank plays a side character to another Marvel hero and goes through his own arc over the course of multiple sequels. Similar to the Hulk's journey from Thor: Ragnarok to Avengers: Endgame.
While fans love the character and want to see his return, the most important thing is doing the character justice without validating his actions. The best way to tackle such a serious topic is to show the viewer that Frank's actions are in no way healthy, and he is just as dangerous as the criminals he hunts. The Punisher isn't a hero and he's not a villain -- he's just an unstable person with a misplaced life mission. "Welcome Back, Frank" showcases all of these factors that make-up The Punisher in an entertaining arc and is the best template for bringing him back to the MCU.