ROTTEN TOMATOES: Julie Benz Promises Action, Drama in The Punisher: War Zone

Julie Benz Promises Action, Drama in The Punisher: War Zone

Says Lexi Alexander brings the picture "the female touch."

by Fred Topel | January 24, 2008

The blonde Dexter and Rambo star Julie Benz has her hair dyed dark brown for her role in The Punisher: War Zone, and the new look comes with a juicy new character that the comic books only suggested.

"Her name's Angela Donatelli," said Benz. "She's actually, I think, mentioned in the comic book. I don't think you actually ever see her. I know her husband is mentioned as well, and there might be a small story with the husband, but she was actually never seen. She's kind of a creation. She's an Italian from Brooklyn, New York. I think they thought the darker hair would give me a little bit more of that edge; I think it's a visual concept as well."

Serving more of the plot than the action, Benz vouches for director Lexi Alexander's attention to both the visceral and the emotional in Punisher 2. "It's interesting, because she's more of a dramatic director. She's done a lot of very dramatic movies, and I think to take on an action movie like The Punisher, she's extremely creative, so creating the world that exists, her mind is just spinning with ideas, but you also have this whole other side with bringing the characters a level of humanity so they're not just comic book characters. They're not just caricatures of that, but you can really believe in the world of that. I think that's the female touch."

So it's definitely not a chick flick. "Lexi Alexander, first of all, is a world champion kickboxer. She's not a fragile flower here. I think we all knew at any moment she could kick our ass."

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(1-20 of 22 posts) | Reply

digitalsoul68 writes:
on Jan 24 2008 06:24 AM

I'm glad to hear Julie Benz is getting more Hollywood roles. I've always admired her on Buffy and Angel.

(Reply to this)

MattBaerFTW writes:
on Jan 24 2008 06:33 AM

i just wished thomas jane was back ill wait till the trailer...but i dont know man i just dont know

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Matanuki writes:
on Jan 24 2008 06:35 AM

Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle, Lexi Alexander directing?.. Excuse my language, but count me the @!&* in!!

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DR DOOM writes:
on Jan 24 2008 08:26 AM

TITUS PULLO LIVES !!!!!!!!

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Inmate Nagooyan writes:
on Jan 24 2008 09:03 AM

I agree on Thomas Jane, I just watched his Punisher and the more I see it the more I realize just how good he was in that role. I'm not sure about this new guy.

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dennischu22 writes:
on Jan 24 2008 09:56 AM

I think I liked the look of Tom Jane as The Punisher more than I do of Stevenson. To me, Jane really looked like a badass in the original Punisher.

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dahluzz writes:
on Jan 24 2008 09:56 AM

i think having a new punisher is critical in distancing this film from the first effort. note that this is NOT called punished 2. I think this is more in line with the new incredible hulk, as a second attempt at getting the character and the world right.

Plus, this guy looks WAY more like castle in the comics than jane. Not saying jane ruined the movie (rebecca romijn, a PG-13 rating a subsequent lack of violence took care of that), but it's time to start anew.

I have a strange feeling that this movie is going to be solid. The actors aren't stars, but they can act. I think that Alexander will give this some needed drama and enough bloody action to quiet the 'why is a chick directing this' crowd.

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LordVapor writes:
on Jan 24 2008 10:08 AM

Yeah, I'm actually kinda anticipating this movie. I am hoping that marvel is on the right track, and that this and the new hulk reboot part deux will take off.

IRON MAN!!!! Come on down!!!!

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Rated_Xpert writes:
on Jan 24 2008 10:51 AM

I'm 50/50. If it's dark enough it will be good. I am talkin blood splashed on the camera lens dark.

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Matanuki writes:
on Jan 24 2008 12:04 PM

In reply to this comment (#1516027)
Agreed. Way I see it, anyone on the "why is a chick directing this" bandwagon need only see Green Street Hooligans to silence their worries. And in addition, one must add, given Alexander's background, it's clear she knows her way around a can of woop a$$.

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NewberL337 writes:
on Jan 24 2008 01:03 PM

Well let's all be honest that a true blue Punisher movie would be so R rated it would borderline NC-17. I mean the punisher comics are pretty badass; tons of blood, tons of violence.

Now, Jane did a pretty good job he really did. I enjoyed the new Punisher quite a bit. Now to hear they are making another film, and like Dahluzz had stated it's not 'The Punisher 2' it's pretty much what they are doing with the Hulk. Just making a movie based on a concept (i.e. Comics) that has already been done within recent memory. A lot of people are going to think its The Punisher 2 but it's not.

As far as the actor goes, his small role in King Arthur was, well... small. But it was good and he was one of my more like able characters in the movie and he went out like a warrior. His intensity and the little twinkle of crazy in his eyes during his final scenes in said movie I think prove to me he could pull off one nasty Frank Castle. So for anyone on the fence of will he or won't he do the Punisher character justice, I say don't fret.

The director however I am completely unfamiliar with. After seeing what she has on her resume for directing I can't say I have seen any of her movies. Or if I did, I don't remember them. But from what I just read she has a knack for drama. So I guess my brow raising on her part isn't on the ability for her to add depth and all that good stuff to the movie. But how far will she take the violence?

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NewberL337 writes:
on Jan 24 2008 01:06 PM

And I just read Matanuki's comment above mine. I did see Green Street Hooligans. So, if thats the case then I think the movie should be awesome.

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Dane Cook is NOT Funny writes:
on Jan 24 2008 02:35 PM

Wow, I am torn on this becasue Julie is great. Love Buffy, Angel and Dexter. She must really know how to pick good roles. But no Thomas Jane? I liked in the original! Oh well, I'll probably dive it a chance.

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Matanuki writes:
on Jan 24 2008 03:52 PM

In reply to this comment (#1516528)
You watch Rome on HBO? Check him out in that. He played Titus Pullo. Now that, my friend, is Frank Castle.

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NewberL337 writes:
on Jan 24 2008 04:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#1517008)
I'll check it out but it won't be at my place lol. Iz gotz no HBOz

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Shompy writes:
on Jan 24 2008 04:03 PM

Lexi Alexander was born in Mannheim, Germany, and in her childhood, she began kickboxing and karate. At the age of 19, she became world champion in kickboxing and karate.

Whoa, SHE could be the punisher. oh and any fans of the comic care to tell us who this Angela Donatelli is?

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cuteview writes:
on Jan 24 2008 05:29 PM

Bring back Dolph...oh wait...Tom Jane was a better Punisher...bring back Jane...

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eltouche writes:
on Jan 24 2008 06:46 PM

I am not one who thinks the roles have to go to actors who really "look" like the character - that limits your field a lot. I'd rather have one who can embody the essence of the character... I would agree with dahluzz about the distance factor and he was a badass as Titus in 'Rome'. That gaze alone is tough.

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type40marketing writes:
on Jan 24 2008 08:01 PM

Julie rocks..and Lexi is a great director...and dead sexy too!!

http://www.factory-publishing.com/lexi-alexander.html

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Now it's dark writes:
on Jan 24 2008 08:27 PM

Dominic West as Jigsaw. This could possibly be astonishing.

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