Daredevil actor Charlie Cox has addressed a scene in Spider-Man: Brand New Day in which Jon Bernthal's Punisher says he's never had a friend like Peter Parker, a line some fans read as a dig at his long-running on-screen bond with Cox's Matt Murdock. Speaking at MCM Comic-Con alongside Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Karen Page, Cox described the relationship between Daredevil and Punisher as "complicated" rather than a straightforward friendship, suggesting the two share mutual respect but wouldn't call themselves mates.

Woll jumped in first when the question was raised, noting she was more offended on Karen Page's behalf given her character's close history with Frank Castle. Cox agreed with her assessment. The exchange comes as Daredevil: Born Again is set to return for a third season next spring, with Frank Castle's involvement unconfirmed, while Spider-Man: Brand New Day has passed $1.67 billion worldwide at the box office.