Hulk Smashes Into Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Looks like Spidey's getting a very green new ally (or enemy?)! Fresh set photos and videos confirm Mark Ruffalo is officially joining Tom Holland's next web-slinging adventure, Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

TL;DR: Quick Bites for the Busy Fan

Mark Ruffalo has been spotted filming scenes as Bruce Banner for the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Leaked set videos show Banner on a stretcher, covered in dust, strongly suggesting a dramatic Hulk transformation or its aftermath.
The movie, hitting theaters July 31, 2026, also features Jon Bernthal's Punisher and returning villains like Scorpion and Tombstone.

Bruce Banner Returns: Mark Ruffalo Spotted Filming Key Scenes for Spider-Man's Next Big Adventure

Get ready, Marvel fans, because the MCU just dropped a huge bombshell for the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day! After months of whispers and a very coy Mark Ruffalo, it’s now officially confirmed: the man behind the Hulk, Bruce Banner himself, is joining Tom Holland’s fourth solo Spider-Man film. Recent set photos and videos have surfaced online, showing Ruffalo actively involved in production in London, which is reportedly doubling as New York for the movie.

One particularly intriguing video, initially shared by @spideyupdated and @UnBoxPHD on X (formerly Twitter) on October 19-20, 2025, shows Ruffalo as Bruce Banner laying down on a stretcher. He appears dusty, with onlookers reporting the scene involved him being loaded into an ambulance. Crucially, he wasn’t wearing any motion capture dots, indicating he’ll be appearing in his human form, at least for this sequence. This isn't just a quick cameo; it’s a full-on, in-the-thick-of-it appearance that’s got fans buzzing about what this could mean for the Big Green Guy.

The Return of the Savage Hulk: Could We See a Dramatic On-Screen Transformation?

This appearance as human Bruce Banner, especially in such a dramatic context, is a huge deal for longtime MCU followers. Why? Because Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner hasn't had an on-screen, human-to-Hulk transformation since way back in 2012's original The Avengers! Remember his iconic "I'm always angry" line before punching out a Chitauri Leviathan? Pure cinematic gold. Since then, his transformations have largely happened off-screen, or he’s been introduced as the Professor Hulk/Smart Hulk persona seen in Avengers: Endgame.

While Banner did briefly revert to his human form in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' post-credits scene and later in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law to heal his arm, those instances were explained as temporary. The new set footage, showing him seemingly after a major incident, implies a more uncontrolled, perhaps "Savage Hulk" transformation. Rumors have long suggested that a more ferocious version of the Hulk might be returning, and these images fuel that speculation, making us wonder if we're finally getting that long-awaited on-screen "Hulk-out" moment again.

"I don’t know, I’m still waiting to hear. I haven’t read a script yet. Well, if it does happen, it would be [Laughs] incredible. I grew up with this, and it’s changed my life in the best ways. Each time, it’s a new director, a new world, and it’s so exciting. There’s nothing else like it. A TV show doesn’t change its world from one director to the next, and that’s what is exciting."

— Mark Ruffalo, speaking to ET Online on September 4, 2025

Ruffalo's earlier comments clearly show he was playing it cool, a classic Marvel tactic to prevent spoilers. But the cat (or rather, the Hulk) is now out of the bag!

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Assembles a Truly Stacked Supporting Cast

Hulk isn’t the only big name joining Peter Parker’s latest journey. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded standalone Spidey films yet. Tom Holland returns as our friendly neighborhood hero, Peter Parker, with Zendaya back as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds.

But wait, there's more! The film will also mark the cinematic debut of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, bringing his gritty vigilante justice to the big screen for the first time in the MCU. Michael Mando reprises his role as Mac Gargan, aka Scorpion, from Spider-Man: Homecoming, suggesting Spidey will be facing some familiar, dangerous foes. And adding to the villainous lineup is Marvin Jones III as the formidable albino crime boss, Tombstone. Talk about a tough crowd for Peter to deal with!

Beyond the confirmed names, there are exciting new additions in mystery roles. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink was spotted on set on October 19, 2025, with speculation suggesting she could be portraying Rachel Cole, a sidekick to The Punisher from the comics. Liza Colón-Zayas and Tramell Tillman have also been cast in undisclosed roles, promising even more fresh faces for this "street-level" adventure.

Plot Speculation: How Will the Hulk Factor In — As Friend or Foe for Peter Parker?

So, how does the Hulk fit into a "street-level" Spider-Man story? That's the million-dollar question! Plot details are being kept under tighter wraps than an Infinity Stone, but theories are already flying faster than a web-sling. One compelling, albeit grim, rumor suggests that Peter Parker’s parents might have actually died during the Battle of New York in The Avengers, with the Hulk’s rampage being a contributing factor to the devastation. If true, this could set up a deeply personal and tragic conflict between Spider-Man and the Hulk.

Further fueling the "Hulk vs. Spidey" fire, a leaked Pinterest board from Brand New Day cinematographer Brett Pawlak reportedly included visuals of "Savage Hulk" fighting Spider-Man. This, combined with the set videos showing Bruce Banner in distress, hints that Peter and possibly The Punisher might find themselves needing to subdue a rampaging Hulk. The article also suggests that this whole sequence might be part of a larger prison break event, where the Hulk accidentally demolishes a Department of Damage Control prison. Imagine Spider-Man trying to contain an out-of-control Hulk in the streets of New York – that’s an epic showdown we’ve been waiting for!

Historically, Spider-Man’s solo MCU outings have always included a major Avenger tie-in – Iron Man in Homecoming, Nick Fury/Maria Hill in Far From Home, and Doctor Strange (plus two other Spider-Men!) in No Way Home. Bringing in the Hulk continues this tradition, deepening the connections within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe and potentially setting up Banner's role (or absence) in upcoming mega-events like Avengers: Doomsday, for which Ruffalo was notably absent from initial cast announcements. This film is literally the only Marvel Studios movie released between now and Avengers: Doomsday, so it's a huge bridge for the Multiverse Saga's Phase 6.

When Can Fans Expect This Wild Ride of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Theaters?

This highly anticipated film is slated to be the only Marvel Studios movie released between now and Avengers: Doomsday, making it a pivotal entry in the MCU's Phase 6. With Destin Daniel Cretton (known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) in the director's chair and Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers returning to pen the script, fans can expect a compelling blend of action, humor, and emotional depth.

Mark your calendars, web-heads! Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. It’s a date that promises a fresh, exciting, and potentially very green chapter in Peter Parker’s life!

Frequently Asked Questions About Spider-Man: Brand New Day's Exciting Details

When does Spider-Man: Brand New Day come out? Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to release in theaters on July 31, 2026. Who is directing the new Spider-Man movie? The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his acclaimed work on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. What other major Marvel characters are confirmed for the film? Alongside Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Jon Bernthal (Punisher), Michael Mando (Scorpion), and Marvin Jones III (Tombstone) are confirmed. Zendaya (MJ) and Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds) are also returning. Will the Hulk be "Smart Hulk" or "Savage Hulk" in Brand New Day? While Mark Ruffalo appeared as Smart Hulk in previous films, recent set photos showing him as human Bruce Banner in a distressed state strongly suggest a return to or transformation into the more aggressive "Savage Hulk" persona. Rumors and leaked mood boards also hint at a confrontation between Hulk and Spider-Man. Official plot details are still under wraps. Sources

ComicBook.com - General news about set photos and videos
ScreenRant - General news about Ruffalo's set video and appearance
GamesRadar+ - General news regarding Ruffalo's set presence and fan reactions
MovieWeb - General news covering Ruffalo's set photos and involvement
The Direct - News detailing Bruce Banner's return to human form in set leaks
Collider - Article confirming Ruffalo's return and his previous coy statements
ComingSoon.net - Report on set video and potential role of Hulk
ET Online - Mark Ruffalo's official quote on his potential involvement (September 4, 2025)
The Hollywood Reporter - Report on Mark Ruffalo being in talks to join (August 1, 2025)
X Users: @spideyupdated, @UnBoxPHD, @marvel_updat3s - (October 19-20, 2025 tweets detailing set photos/videos)