2026 is aiming to be a huge year for cinema, thanks in part to the release of Marvel and Sony’sSpider-Man: Brand New Day. As Tom Holland’s fourth solo film portraying everyone’s Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, director Destin Daniel Cretton’s superhero film will surely be a huge cinematic event, especially after the massive acclaim received by his previous blockbuster,Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Now that the title of theMCU’s fourth Spider-Man filmhas finally been revealed, there has been much speculation as to what audiences will see in this new chapter of the webslinger’s story, based on supposed leaks and comic book lore. There is a decent amount of facts and rumors surrounding this big-budget film, so here’s a guide to what has and hasn’t been confirmed aboutSpider-Man: Brand New Dayso far.
When will Spider-Man: Brand New Day come out?
Spider-Man: Brand New Dayisscheduled to premiere on June 01, 2025. The film was originally set to come out roughly three months after the release ofAvengers: Doomsday. However, sinceDoomsdaywaspushed back to December 2026, it now seems unlikely that the events of the film will have a direct impact onBrand New Day‘s story.
When does Spider-Man: Brand New Day begin filming?
Hollandannouncedthat production for his fourth Spider-Man film would commence in the summer of 2025. Whether Holland’s filming schedule onChristopher Nolan’sThe Odysseyin the same year has affectedBrand New Day’sproduction is unknown. Nevertheless, filming commenced in August 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. Marvel announced the first day of filming with a brief video of Holland in a comic-accurate Spider-Man, similar to the one he wore at the end ofNo Way Home.
Holland also shared his enthusiasm for the movie’s production onFlip Your Wig:
“I’m obviously over the moon and so excited. Playing Spider-Man is like hanging out with an old pal, and I think we were really restricted with what we could do in [No Way Home] because of COVID. We shot the entire film on stages. Now, we’re really gonna lean into that old-school filmmaking and shoot in real locations, which is why we’re starting in Glasgow.”
2026.#SpiderManBrandNewDaypic.twitter.com/Ysr2mS6XHL
This style of practical filmmaking has proven to be jaw-dropping.Videos and photos of Brand New Day’s productionhave circulated online, showing Spider-Man swinging across the city as fiery explosions rock the streets. Spider-Man has also beenphotographedon top of a moving tank, implying a huge war is going on in New York City. One photo of Spider-Man standing in front of a real crowd, his back turned to the camera, has already become an iconic image for the film online.
What is Spider-Man: Brand New Day about?
Naturally, the story of Marvel’s next Spider-Man film remains a secret. However, the title implies the plot is inspired by the comic book storyline of the same name. The “Brand New Day” arc follows Peter after he wipes the world’s memory of his secret identity, which resulted in him ending his relationship with MJ at the end ofNo Way Home.
In aninterview with Collider, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige discussed the new approach that will be taken in continuing Peter’s story on the big screen:
“I think there’s a promise at the end ofNo Way Homethat, for as sad as it is that Peter is forgotten by everyone in his life, we are seeing for the first time in the Tom Holland Spider-Man stories him being a proper Spider-Man,” Feige said. “Him being by himself, dedicated to saving the city, and dealing with – for lack of better terms – street-level crime, as opposed to world-ending events.”
Feige’s comments suggest thatBrand New Daywon’t feature an Avengers-level threat or any multiversal plot elements, setting itself apart fromFar From HomeandNo Way Home. This should be a refreshing story for audiences who have grown tired of such narratives in Spider-Man films.
Overall, a street-level story seems like a natural follow-up toNo Way Home, which ended with Peter continuing to fight crime in New York on his own with a new homemade suit.Brand New Dayhas the chance to focus more on the fallout of Peter choosing to live alone and without any of his friends or the Avengers knowing who he is.
This could make for a more grounded, relatable, and distinctive story. At the same time,Brand New Dayhas been supposedlydescribedas the “biggest Spidey movie yet” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldierfor Spider-Man.” This suggests that the hero’s fourth film will be a dark, gritty, and emotional blockbuster epic that will feature the MCU at its best.
Who will star in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
While the list of confirmed characters and cast members is short at this time, Hollandsaidvia a video at CinemaCon 2025 thatSpider-Man: Brand New Daywill be a “fresh start” for the franchise. This implies that, aside from MJ and Ned, the film will feature an entirely new cast of characters who inhabit Peter Parker’s world.
It’s unknown how big a role Zendaya and Batalon’s characters will play in the film, but for the sequel to undo Doctor Strange’s mind-wipe and have them reunite with Peter would seem like a rushed return to the status quo.
Zendaya wasspotted on the setofBrand New Daywith Holland, with the two of them seen in front of Aunt May’s tombstone. This implies that, like Happy Hogan, MJ still remembers Aunt May and the fact that she died, but her memory of Peter may still be gone.
Despite this, Peter may find new love in his life. Fans have spent a lot of time speculating as to whoStranger Thingsstar Sadie Sink will play inBrand New Day. According to industry scooper Daniel Richtman, Sink’s character isreportedlydescribed as “a sharp and free-spirited woman with a mysterious past. Strong-willed, intelligent, and not easily intimidated.”
Since Sink’s casting was announced, predictions for her character have ranged from theX-Men’s Jean Greyto cat burglar Felicia Hardy/Black Cat to even a new version of Mary Jane Watson. It has also been theorized that Sink will play Lily Hollister/Menace, one of the primary villains in the “Brand New Day” storyline. It has beenrumoredthat Sink will play Gwen Stacy or even Peter’s own daughter, Mayday Parker.
Other casting calls have been allegedly looking for people to play “a resourceful young man in his early 20s” and another man in their 30s to 50s to play “a no-nonsense authority figure who sees the world in black and white. Loyal, determined, and willing to cross lines to maintain order.”
As for the Punisher, it seems natural for Spider-Man to cross paths with this local vigilante inBrand New Day‘s street-level story.The Punisher’s appearance suggests that the film will connect to the events ofMarvel’s Disney+ series,Daredevil: Born Again, which saw Wilson Fisk/Kingpin become Mayor of New York, enact martial law, and establish an Anti-Vigilante Task Force that imprisoned multiple crime fighters, including the Punisher.
This puts Peter’s life as Spider-Man in jeopardy, soBrand New Day may show the hero team up with Punisher to combat Kingpin and his corrupt, oppressive Task Force.
Mark Ruffalo’s casting as the Hulk in this film is also not surprising. Spider-Man has appeared alongside multiple Avengers in his MCU films before, specifically Iron Man and Doctor Strange. It’s unknown what role Banner will play in the story.
In the comics, after Spider-Man had Mephisto wipe everyone’s memory of him being Peter Parker, Bruce’s Hulk personality revealed he still remembered Spider-Man’s true identity. This could also happen with the Hulk inBrand New Day, allowing him to be a close ally to the hero in his latest adventure.
Who is the villain of Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
Since details about the film’s cast are still unfolding, it is still unclear who Spider-Man will face in his fourth solo movie. While the evil Scorpion will appear, there have been many conflicting reports about who will be the movie’s big bad.
The comic that features Martin Li/Mister Negative as one of its villains. In the comics, Mister Negative is both the owner of the F.E.A.S.T. organization of homeless shelters (which Aunt May worked for inSpider-Man: Far From Home) and the super-powered crime boss of the Inner Demons, who corrupts and brainwashes people to do his bidding.
Mister Negative became incredibly popular thanks to his appearance in the hit PlayStation 4 video game Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2018. Finally, this compelling villain may receive the big-screen treatment he deserves.
Aleaked imageof the production depicts a tank that looks to have the symbol of the Inner Demons painted on its side. This implies that Mister Negative will lead a city-wide war similar toMarvel’s Spider-Man.
Brand New Daywill alsoallegedlyfeature multiple villains, including Tombstone, Tarantula, Boomerang, Scorpion, and Ramrod. In addition, mutant villains Silver Samurai and Viper aresaidto be the movie’s main antagonists, suggesting a slight crossover with the world of the X-Men.
Even Carrie Coon isrumoredto have a villainous role in the film, which isn’t that surprising. Coon previously provided the voice and motion capture performance for the evil Proxima Midnight inAvengers: Infinity War.
Similarly, there have been rumors of a female villain appearing inSpider-Man: Brand New Day, with a casting call reportedly being made that reads: “30s-50s, any ethnicity. A powerful and imposing figure. Seeking an actress with [a] strong and commanding screen presence and depth. Negotiation with someone (doesn’t say who).”
ThoughBrand New Daywill star Punisher after the events ofDaredevil: Born Again, it is unknown whether Kingpin will be presented as an on-screen antagonist. Kingpin actor Vincent D’Onofrio revealed on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast that Marvel Studios doesn’t have the rights to use his character in a film, given Kingpin’s movie rights were sold to Sony long ago.
It also seemed like Spider-Man was on a collision course withTom Hardy’s VenomafterNo Way Home.Hardy confirmed in aninterview with AP Entertainmentthat his version of Eddie Brock won’t face off against Spider-Man. However, nothing is set in stone, especially when it comes to Marvel movies.
There is still the matter of the Venom symbiote he left behind in the mid-credits scene ofNo Way Home. Whether or not this will leadPeter to don his iconic alien costume inBrand New Dayand faceanother version of Venom remains to be seen. Marvel could be saving this forAvengers: Secret Wars, as the original “Secret Wars” comic storyline depicts Peter bonding with the Venom symbiote for the first time.
However, the Venom symbiote could tie in with Scorpion’s reappearance inBrand New Day, as the villain did become Venom at one point in the comics. Scorpion was last seen inSpider-Man: Homecomingwith a desire to kill the webslinger for putting him in prison. This thirst for vengeance reflects Eddie Brock’s initial character as a villain in the comics.
While Tom Hardy’s Venom was presented in a more heroic light, the MCU could have Scorpion fill his role as a villain. Michael Mando teased his return inBrand New Daywith Instagramimages of Scorpion as Venomin the comics, implying that his character will indeed bond with the alien symbiote in the film.
The comic book storyline in which Scorpion became Venom also showed him teaming up with a group of supervillains known as the Sinister Twelve. This implies thatBrand New Daymay actually try to topNo Way Home‘s supervillain team-up with its bigger band of bad guys.
