Thomas Jane Talks On 'The Punisher'

What are you expecting from "The Punisher?"
I'm expecting it to really kick my butt (laughing).

What's the most daunting thing for you to do? Is it the physical
stunts or the fact that you're taking on a comic book hero that people
love?
Like I did with Mickey Mantle, it's taking on a figure
that's just beloved by a lot of folks, and trying to give it everything
that I've got so that they get the best of me. I give it every shot at
just doing the absolute best that I can with it.

Were you a fan of the comic book prior to taking on the role?
No I wasn't a fan prior to because I didn't like superhero comics, but
this guy is such an anti-hero that I've fallen in love with him. He's
so dark and it's Marvel's darkest property, so I've fallen in love with
the whole thing.

And he's not a typical superhero because he doesn't have special powers.
Right. He doesn't have super powers. He can't leap over tall buildings,
he can't crawl up a wall, he's just really, really angry.

And John Travolta is going to be one of the main villains?
I can't wait. He's one of my heroes.

Have you done any preparation with him yet?
No, no I haven't.
He's in Baltimore, which is where I was born, working on "Ladder 49," a
fireman movie. We haven't hooked up yet but I look forward to it.