While he's used to playing a Marvel villain as Billy Russo – aka Jigsaw – in The Punisher, Ben Barnes has been in talks to join the other side of the divide.
The actor, who will be starring in new BBC show Gold Digger, has revealed that he had been lined up for an MCU superhero role.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy on whether he would work with Marvel again, Barnes said: "Yeah, for sure, for sure.
What to Read Next
"I did talk to them about something this year, but it was a bit too close to doing The Punisher, I think, for them. But, you know, they have proof that you can – particularly if it was on TV, you can go back and do a movie if there's a character that's right.
"I was definitely talking about a couple of superheroes last year."
As for whether something could happen, the actor admitted: "No. It didn't work out for whatever reason, but definitely, there's still room for that in my future. As long as they hurry up. I don't want to be a 50-year-old superhero."
The Punisher was axed earlier this year in the wake of a number of Netflix Marvel TV show cancellations.
Following the news, star Jon Bernthal wrote: "To all who have served. All who know loss. All who love and understand Frank and his pain. It has been an honor to walk in his boots.
"I'm endlessly grateful to the comic fans and the men and women of the Armed Services and law enforcement community who Frank means so much to. Thank you to the USMC and all the wonderful soldiers who trained me. Go Hard. Be safe."
![Marvel's Jessica Jones season 1 [Blu-ray] [2016]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1560423545-61kSRh1suOL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Marvel's Jessica Jones season 1 [Blu-ray] [2016]")
Netflix/Marvel Marvel's Jessica Jones season 1 [Blu-ray] [2016]
![Marvel's Daredevil season 1 [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1560423876-41jSBg6azBL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Marvel's Daredevil season 1 [DVD]")
![Marvel's Luke Cage season 1 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1560424034-513RheLXzLL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Marvel's Luke Cage season 1 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]")
Marvel Comics Daredevil: The Man Without Fear
Digital Spy is launching a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
After teaching in England and South Korea, David turned to writing in Germany, where he covered everything from superhero movies to the Berlin Film Festival.
In 2019, David moved to London to join Digital Spy, where he could indulge his love of comics, horror and LGBTQ+ storytelling as Deputy TV Editor, and later, as Acting TV Editor.
David has spoken on numerous LGBTQ+ panels to discuss queer representation and in 2020, he created the Rainbow Crew interview series, which celebrates LGBTQ+ talent on both sides of the camera via video content and longform reads.
Beyond that, David has interviewed all your faves, including Henry Cavill, Pedro Pascal, Olivia Colman, Patrick Stewart, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Dornan, Regina King, and more — not to mention countless Drag Race legends.
As a freelance entertainment journalist, David has bylines across a range of publications including Empire Online, Radio Times, INTO, Highsnobiety, Den of Geek, The Digital Fix and Sight & Sound.
