The MCU Needs The Punisher Now More Than Ever After Marvel’s New Villain Twist

Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher might be key to Kingpin‘s future, as evidenced by Wilson Fisk’s story across three Daredevil seasons and various MCU appearances. Phases 4 and 5 of the MCU have slowly integrated Netflix’s street-level Marvel shows, and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin has become a major MCU villain as a result. Wilson Fisk has already crossed paths with Clint Barton and Kate Bishop during the events of Hawkeye, after which he seemingly developed an interest in politics during Echo‘s post-credits scene.

Kingpin’s next MCU appearance will likely follow his return to power as mayor of New York City, which has a comic book precedent in the 2022 Marvel Comics storyline Devil’s Reign, where Kingpin used his political power to outlaw vigilantes. This would be Kingpin’s perfect revenge plan against Daredevil, Hawkeye, and Bullseye in the MCU, as it would help him retain his influence over organized crime without the need to do the dirty work himself. Of course, Kingpin won’t be at the top forever, and how exactly he will be defeated has already been teased.

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The Only Way Kingpin’s MCU Story Can Truly End Is With His Death

Kingpin Already Proved He’s Unstoppable Unless He Dies

Kingpin has already been defeated multiple times. In Daredevil season 1, Matt Murdock exposes Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire, beats him up, and sends him to prison. Fisk continues to pull the strings in Hell’s Kitchen behind bars, and in Daredevil season 3, he frames Daredevil as a villain, manipulates the FBI into ending his sentence, and clears his name. Daredevil once again exposes Kingpin’s deeds and beats him to a pulp. Yet, Kingpin’s time in prison is cut short thanks to the Blip, and he survives both a point-blank shot to the face and a soul-healing attempt from Maya Lopez.

Given that Wilson Fisk can’t be stopped by physical, judicial, or even spiritual means, it seems like the only way to defeat Kingpin for good is to kill him. Vincent D’Onofrio may still have plenty of future MCU appearances ahead of him, but Kingpin’s story will eventually need to end, and a peaceful retirement won’t be a fitting conclusion for the character after everything he’s done. The question then would be how Kingpin will die and which MCU hero or anti-hero will take on the responsibility.

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How Kingpin’s Evil Reign Ends In Marvel Comics

Kingpin Has Truly Been Stopped Only Once In Marvel Comics

Kingpin’s plan to take over New York City and persecute all vigilantes is successful throughout the Devil’s Reign storyline. Despite becoming the main target of many Marvel heroes, Wilson Fisk escapes both death and the authorities, and he passes on the Kingpin mantle to his son Butch before retiring peacefully with his wife. Like his MCU counterpart, Marvel Comics’ Wilson Fisk manages to climb his way back to power every time he’s defeated, regardless of whether he catches the attention of Daredevil, Spider-Man, or other Marvel superheroes.

Kingpin meets a more realistic end in the 2010 self-contained Punisher MAX storyline, where he crosses Frank Castle and pays the price. Once Wilson Fisk rises to power and takes control over organized crime, Frank Castle decides that the only way to stop Kingpin is to take matters into his own hands. Without hesitation, Frank Castle reaches Kingpin’s office and murders his bodyguards, stuns him with a hammer, and shoots him in the head in typical Punisher fashion.

Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Is The Perfect Character To End Kingpin’s MCU Story

The Punisher Is The Only MCU Character Who May Be Willing To Kill Kingpin

If there’s anyone who’s both capable and willing to land a hit on Wilson Fisk, it’s Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle. Castle killed countless criminals throughout The Punisher seasons 1 and 2, savoring every moment in each of those murders. Since Jigsaw came back with a vengeance after the Punisher failed to kill him, Frank Castle will likely make sure all of his future enemies are six feet underground before moving on, especially if they’re as dangerous as Kingpin. As a bonus, the MCU could pay homage to Punisher Max, which has already influenced Netfllix’s Marvel shows.

If the Punisher kills Kingpin in a future MCU movie or show, he would take a weight off other heroes’ shoulders, as Daredevil, Echo, Spider-Man, and other MCU street-level heroes avoid using lethal force to protect New York. Although most of them would likely disagree with the Punisher’s methods, they would likely consider his actions a necessary evil. Naturally, Kingpin‘s death would create a power vacuum, but the Punisher, Spider-Man, and the Defenders would be prepared to deal with it.