Beaks here...

And the latest twist in the post-production saga of PUNISHER: WAR ZONE is... everything's alright! Yes, everything's fine!

This might be hard to believe what with all the bad buzz that got kicked up at Comic Con last month, but according to the film's cinematographer, Steve Gainer, that bad buzz was 100% bullshit. Here's what he had to say on the Raw Studios message board (passed along by ScreenRant's Vic Holtreman)...

Holy smokes, I go away and shoot some kids stuff for Disney, and the whole world is a different color when I return. Again I appear here to dispel rumors. Please believe:

Lexi is not off the film

Lexi is still involved in the edit process

The film is not (nor could it ever be) PG-13

Today I saw a cut that ran 91 minutes

Lexi did in fact get married

Lexi is an incredibly talented director, and this film kicks major ass, as will be proven when it is released IN THEATRES DECEMBER 5th

The film is most certainly not all exploding heads, but will reveal a great deal of Franks personna and pain

This film has been difficult from the begining, from a bitter Canadian winter, to endless nights, to rampant sickness, Lexi has fought to make a killer Punisher film for fans and non fans alike.

Initially we were to release in September, but for whatever reason (not the quality of the film or edit IMHO) it was decided to release in December. That extra time has given everyone a chance to put their two cents worth in, but rest assured, Lexi is still stearing the boat, and she is a great captain.

When I hear vicious unfounded troll rumors like the "film was unwatchable" or "a total mess" it makes my blood boil. I want to punish the corrupt. People sit on their fat asses trolling the internet, people that have never even looked through a motion picture camera, and make judgements on a work of art that they've never seen, it's like saying a baby will be ugly before it is born, I can't freaking wait for this film to come out and prove the nay-sayers wrong.

Sorry for the rant, I just love something wonderful you have yet to see-

sg,asc

Pretty convincing. But if it was that easy, why didn't Lionsgate issue more vehement denials when all of the non-news was breaking? And why is the movie's DP debunking these falsehoods in a fan forum? It's not that I don't believe Gainer; it's just that this is a very odd and indirect way to get the stink off of your film.

In any event, if the PG-13 or the idea of Alexander getting shut out of the editing room was causing you grief, be at peace. You'll get your R-rated PUNISHER: WAR ZONE this December 5th.