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‘It’s Complicated’: Daredevil Star Charlie Cox Responds to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, And The Punisher’s Claim He’s Never Had a Friend Like Peter Parker
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.
In short
- Charlie Cox calls Daredevil-Punisher bond "complicated" after Brand New Day dialogue
- Co-star Deborah Ann Woll says she's more offended on Karen Page's behalf
- Daredevil: Born Again returns for season three next spring
Explained simply
Daredevil and the Punisher are Marvel characters who sometimes cross paths in the same stories. Daredevil, whose real name is Matt Murdock, is a lawyer who fights crime; Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, uses lethal force against criminals. Their opposing methods have often put them at odds, even when they have worked towards the same goal.
Karen Page is a journalist and one of Matt Murdock’s closest companions. She also has a history with Frank Castle, so the characters’ relationships overlap. Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, is a younger hero whose stories often centre on his friendships and sense of responsibility.
These connections matter to fans who follow the characters across Marvel films and television. A line describing Peter as a friend can prompt questions about how the Punisher’s ties to other characters are understood, though the characters’ relationships can vary between stories.
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