Jon Bernthal has been connected to a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Punisher for well over two years, or a re-debut if you agree with Kevin Feige that the Netflix episodes aren't legit. It hasn't occurred yet, but it's not like the actor isn't saying how much he wants to do it every time he's interviewed.

The most recent round of rumors set off a chain reaction, with reports that Bernthal was in talks to return for an R-rated series quickly followed by reports that Daredevil was being reinvented and absorbed into the MCU for a fourth season, causing Frank Castle to resurface.

It's been a cyclical process since Netflix axed its comic book universe, but Bernthal said in a new interview with Scott King that if he were to reprise his role as the fan-favorite vigilante, it would have to be as dark and nasty as his past escapades.

That appears to be the major roadblock to bringing the Punisher back into the MCU; the character simply cannot be done properly with a PG-13 classification, and Marvel has been sticking to the idea that Deadpool 3 is the only R-rated film on the horizon. We'll simply have to wait and see, as usual, but the rumors will continue in the meanwhile.