Following the tragic events of Las Vegas earlier this week, Netflix and Marvel have decided to pull their New York Comic-Con panel for The Punisher, Deadline reports. Originally scheduled for October 7th, the panel was to include cast members from Netflix’s upcoming Marvel series, including lead actor Jon Bernthal.
Netflix and Marvel released a joint statement to explain the decision to pull the panel. “We are stunned and saddened by this week’s senseless act in Las Vegas,” the statement read. “After careful consideration, Netflix and Marvel have decided it wouldn’t be appropriate for Marvel’s The Punisher to participate in New York Comic-Con. Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and those affected by this tragedy.”
The Punisher is expected to be a particularly violent Netflix series, with the show following Jon Bernthal’s character Frank Castle as he goes on a vigilante-styled rampage following the murder of his family. Ben Barnes, who will play Billy Russo in the series, expressed his support for the decision to pull The Punisher panel from New York Comic-Con on Twitter.
New York Comic-Con has said they will fill The Punisher’s October 7th spot with a different panel that has not yet been decided on. The organization also released comments supporting Netflix and Marvel’s decision, stating, “New York Comic Con wholeheartedly supports Netflix & Marvel’s decision to cancel Saturday’s The Punisher panel. NYCC [is] working tirelessly to fill that time spot at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. We will continue to update fans via our social channels throughout the weekend.”
It’s not clear yet whether or not Netflix and Marvel will also choose to push back the premiere date of The Punisher in light of recent events.