Jon Bernthal Opens Up About Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey & Spider-Man Reunion

Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy is having an absolute blockbuster summer, and he is opening up about a remarkably unique chapter in his career. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Bernthal spoke about The Odyssey and the collaborations with Tom Holland across two massive cinematic universes. Discussing the scene with Lupita Nyong’o, he said:

Lupita and I wanted to dig into the wound of, how can we take these epic characters in this epic scene, in this unbelievably grand setting, and show the festering rot of a relationship that is so unbelievably relatable to a modern audience — and to people who are in very complicated relationships everywhere?

Bernthal did not shy away from talking about his decade-old association with Tom Holland. Bernthal and Holland have just co-starred in Christopher Nolan’s epic historical retelling, The Odyssey, and will immediately follow it up by sharing the screen as The Punisher and Spider-Man in Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The Punisher Star Reflects on Reuniting With Tom Holland

Jon Bernthal in The Odyssey/ Credits: Universal Pictures

Long before sharing the screen for Christopher Nolan, Bernthal and Holland developed a deep real-life bond. While filming the 2017 historical drama Pilgrimage, the two actors famously helped each other record their respective MCU audition tapes. Bernthal pushed Holland through intense workouts to secure the role of Peter Parker, while Holland assisted Bernthal in locking down Frank Castle.

Reuniting for The Odyssey gave them a chance to play in an entirely different sandbox, bringing the grimy, visceral reality of the Bronze Age to life under Nolan’s legendary direction. During THR interview, Bernthal praised Holland and said:

In all my years, I’ve never seen anything like Tom’s belief in himself, the health of his attitude toward it.

The excitement peaks as Bernthal officially leaps into the mainline MCU for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Bernthal’s Punisher is set to bring a unique friction to Peter Parker’s street-level crusade in a PG-13 arena.

What do you think about Bernthal and Holland’s bond? Let us know in the comments below.

The Odyssey is currently in theaters, having premiered on July 17, 2026. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to swing into theaters shortly after on July 31, 2026.