Cover images via Zimbio & BlackFilm.

This week saw two very different casting announcements for two projects I’m invested in: Netflix’s Daredevil and Ghostbusters (the all-female Ghostbusters reboot, to be exact).

First was Tuesday’s announcement that Jon Bernthal would be joining the cast of Daredevil as The Punisher. Jon Bernthal, you may know, played Shane in The Walking Dead. Shane, the best friend turned (spoilers) wife-thief and psychopath. The crazy look he got in his eyes as he became more and more unhinged throughout the show honestly haunts me. I haven’t seen Bernthal’s other works yet, so to me, he’s still just “Crazy-Eyes Shane.”

Which is why when I read Bernthal would be joining the cast of Daredevil, as The Punisher no less, I really didn’t know what to think. My husband loves The Punisher. I’ve watched the Thomas Jane version dozens of times and Terry dragged me to see Punisher: War Zone in theaters. (It was not my favorite.) So I’m fairly familiar with Frank Castle’s backstory, as well as his role in Marvel Civil War, to some extent. What I did not realize was how much interaction The Punisher has with Daredevil or that they both call Hell’s Kitchen home. So it makes sense why The Punisher would show up. I just don’t think I was expecting another superhero to join Daredevil, even if he is an incredibly violent anti-hero. Which, come to think of it, actually fits the show quite well.

I think Charlie Cox is an amazing Matt Murdock, so I’ll be interested to see how he and Bernthal work together. Now that I’ve gotten over my initial shock and slight anxiety at “Shane’s” return, I think Bernthal will make an excellent Frank Castle. The character is fairly troubled, to put it lightly, so Bernthal’s intensity will certainly lend itself to the part.

You know, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of The Punisher joining Daredevil. With the concluding events of the first season, Matt Murdock needs someone new to keep him on his toes. The Punisher’s style of fighting crime and corruption will definitely keep Daredevil busy–the kill-everything outlook vs. the Catholic guilt anti-killing outlook alone is sure to provide enough material for several episodes.

I was already excited that Season 2 of Daredevil is coming. Now I can’t wait!

The day after Daredevil‘s casting announcement, another announcement came that just made me laugh with joy: Chris Hemsworth is joining the Ghostbusters reboot as the receptionist.

That’s right. The receptionist. As in, Annie Potts from the original Ghostbusters.

This makes me so incredibly happy. Not only will we have Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig fighting ghosts, Thor will be answering their phones. It’s the type of ideal casting you usually only dream and joke about: “Wouldn’t it be awesome if Chris Hemsworth was cast in a random yet gender-bent role??” But it’s happening for real!

I hadn’t been keeping up on the Ghostbusters news too much since so little information has been shared about it. If they keep making casting announcements of this caliber, though, I’m going to start obsessing. The movie isn’t coming out for another year, according to IMDb, but it’s going to be a fun ride leading up to its release, that’s for sure.

These two announcements alone have got me nerding out, and I really can’t wait for the next developments in Daredevil and Ghostbusters. These, in addition to all the other movies and shows coming out in the next couple years. It’s a good time to be a nerd.