Jon Bernthal has blunt response to alt-right fans of 'The Punisher'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. actor Jon Bernthal poses before a gala screening of his film "Fury" in London October 19, 2014. REUTERS/Neil Hall (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) - GM1EAAK08Z101
Actor Jon Bernthal has some blunt words for any alt-right fans of his work, which he was happy to share in a new interview about his role as the Marvel character, The Punisher.
Speaking in a lengthy interview for the latest issue of Esquire, Bernthal was asked how he feels about his character’s logo, a skull with long fangs, appearing on helmets and other military member’s clothing as well as some alt-right protesters at the controversial 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
To the men and women in uniform, Bernthal said he was, “honored to play a guy who people putting their life on the line identify with.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}As for the alt-right, his response was significantly less measured.
“F--- them,” he said.
Jon Bernthal appears in 'The Punisher.' (Netflix)
Bernthal’s portrayal of the Frank Castle character on Netflix has resonated with many military fans as well as gun enthusiasts. For those unfamiliar, he plays an ex-special forces soldier who returns home to see his family gunned down by criminals. In an effort to seek justice for their deaths, he methodically goes on a killing spree of those that are guilty. He first appeared on Season 2 of Marvel and Netflix's "Daredevil" before being given a standalone series all his own. The character’s easy access to weapons, as well as the show’s handling of military-centric stories has attracted a lot of fans, not all of which the star is on board with.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Interestingly-enough, Bernthal addressed gun ownership as well, noting that he’s a gun owner himself in the same interview.
“I’m a gun owner,” he said. “I have a gun in my house to keep my family safe. I’m trained in that gun’s use. I know how to keep it away from my kids, and I know how to use it if I need to.”
Jon Bernthal appears as Frank Castle in Netflix's 'The Punisher.' (Netflix)
The former “The Walking Dead” star said that despite his ownership, he believes in stricter regulation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Should there be a way that a guy with mental issues like the asshole in Texas can’t get guns? Absolutely. We have to have a dialogue, and that’s not happening.”
“The Punisher” dropped its 13-episode first season in November after being postponed a month following the Las Vegas shooting in October. It was recently given an order for a second season.