Marvel Studios began development for a new "Punisher" film as early as 1997. In 2000, Marvel made a long-term agreement with Artisan Entertainment to turn 15 of their characters into films and TV shows, among them "The Punisher" with Gale Anne Hurd to produce. "The Punisher" marked Marvel's first major independent release as an equity owner, whereby it contributes characters and creative support to lower-budget pics in exchange for a financial stake in the negative cost. Screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh signed on in April 2002, and "The Punisher" also became his directing debut. The story and plot were mainly based on two Punisher comic book stories, "Welcome Back, Frank" and "The Punisher: Year One". Hensleigh explained he had to excise much of the influence from "Welcome Back, Frank" as it would have likely been a four-hour-long film.