The Punisher: One Last Kill Set Up the X-Men’s Jean Grey

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A new fan theory suggests Frank Castle wasn’t the only major character introduced in The Punisher: One Last Kill. This story wrapped up Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle’s revenge mission and showed him fully accepting his role as the Punisher, setting the stage for his appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The theory proposes that another powerful hero, a mutant, was also being prepared for a future role during this story.

I’m so hyped for Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day! It’s coming out July 31, 2026, and it’s going to be amazing seeing Spider-Man – Tom Holland, of course – team up with the Punisher, Frank Castle, in his first PG-13 Marvel adventure. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), MJ and Ned (Zendaya and Jacob Batalon), and Sheila Rivera (Zabryna Guevara) will be there too, which is already awesome. But honestly, the biggest buzz right now is a new fan theory about a character we might have already met in the MCU!

Sadie Sink’s Jean Grey May Have Already Appeared in The Punisher: One Last Kill

Many fans believe Sadie Sink is a strong candidate to play Jean Grey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jean Grey is a powerful mutant with telepathic abilities, previously portrayed by Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner in the X-Men films. While she’s often been a hero with the X-Men, she’s also famously become the villain Dark Phoenix. However, a new storyline called Brand New Day could introduce a fresh take on the character, and hints in The Punisher: One Last Kill might have already laid the groundwork.

On-set pictures and the initial trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day hint at a connection between Frank Castle and Sadie Sink’s character, who might be Jean Grey. This potential relationship could have roots in The Punisher: One Last Kill. A recent theory posted on X proposes that Jean Grey may have influenced Frank Castle, changing his intense, violent hallucinations – originally stemming from his time as a Marine – into something more compassionate and mild.

Jean Grey seems to have helped Frank Castle’s terrifying hallucinations become more hopeful. Curtis Hoyle (Jason R. Moore) pledges his continued support, and Castle has vivid memories of his family (Kelli Barrett, Eduardo Campirano, and Addie Bernthal). He even hallucinates Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), with whom he shared a close connection in the Netflix series Daredevil. This shift towards more positive hallucinations, guided by Jean Grey, ultimately helped Castle accept his role as the Punisher, a development that could be significant in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

What Relationship Could Frank Castle & Jean Grey Have in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Recent clues indicate Jean Grey, if actress Maya Sink is playing her, is being held at a Department of Damage Control facility. However, they might not be able to contain her powers, which could allow her to mentally contact Frank Castle from a distance. It’s possible she’s been watching Castle take down criminal gangs in New York and believes he’s the ideal person to rescue her.

Before, Frank Castle was deeply traumatized and driven by revenge, making him unable and unwilling to help Jean Grey escape from DODC custody – her imprisonment wasn’t connected to his family’s tragedy. However, Jean’s influence on his hallucinations, and possibly her ability to heal his damaged mind, led him to a turning point. This ultimately resulted in him saving shop owner Dre (Andre Royo) and his family.

Frank Castle has a history of forming bonds with young women in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, often acting as their protector and a father figure, like he did with Amy Bendix. A similar dynamic could play out when he rescues Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, especially considering she helped him understand his role as the Punisher. This connection promises an exciting future for both Frank Castle and Jean Grey, and for the more grounded, street-level stories within the MCU.

Jean Grey & Frank Castle’s Partnership Spells Good News For the MCU’s Future

A connection between Frank Castle (The Punisher) and Jean Grey was established in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day storyline, with hints possibly originating in The Punisher: One Last Kill. This suggests their relationship could be explored further in future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. Jean Grey is likely to be the first major X-Men character introduced to the main MCU timeline (Earth-616), appearing before events like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars which are expected to include actors from the previous Fox X-Men films. While the MCU will feature large-scale events after Avengers: Secret Wars, it will also continue to tell smaller, street-level stories.

Following series like Daredevil: Born Again, Wonder Man, and The Punisher: One Last Kill, Marvel Studios has an opportunity to cleverly link its street-level heroes and vigilantes with the world of mutants. This approach could help make even the most extraordinary mutant powers feel more realistic and relatable. Establishing these connections could begin with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, making that film particularly important for the future of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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2026-05-21 01:14