Michael Mando's Mac Gargan, first teased as the iconic Spider-Man villain Scorpion in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, is finally making his highly anticipated return in the upcoming MCU film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
New set photos and insider reports confirm Mando is back as the vengeance-driven criminal, eight years after his initial appearance. This long-awaited comeback promises to escalate Peter Parker's challenges in his fourth solo MCU adventure, which is slated to hit theaters on July 31, 2026.
Mac Gargan's Journey From Criminal to Potential Supervillain in the MCUFans first met Mac Gargan, played by Michael Mando, in the 2017 Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, encountered Gargan during an illegal arms deal on a ship, where Gargan was hoping to acquire alien-derived weapons tech left over from the events of 2012's The Avengers.
Spider-Man's in-ear crime computer quickly revealed Gargan's extensive criminal history, which notably included homicide. Peter successfully foiled the deal, leading to a confrontation with the Vulture, Adrian Toomes, played by Michael Keaton, and ultimately resulted in Gargan's apprehension and imprisonment.
Spider-Man listening in Spider-Man: Homecoming - Marvel Studios
A distinctive scorpion tattoo on Gargan's neck in Homecoming served as a clever nod to his comic book counterpart, the supervillain known as the Scorpion. While Gargan's role was minor in the film, the post-credits scene heavily implied his future transformation. In that scene, Gargan confronted Vulture in prison, demanding to know Spider-Man's secret identity and making it clear he held a significant grudge.
Explore Michael Mando's much anticipated comeback as Scorpion in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. Investigate his character's backstory, potential plotlines, and career beyond the MCU. Prepare for Mac Gargan's comeback!
New Set Photos and Insider Whispers Confirm Scorpion's Return
The promise of Gargan's full evolution into Scorpion is finally materializing in Destin Daniel Cretton's upcoming film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Photos from the set, shared by sources like the Twitter/X account @MyTimeToShineH and UnBoxPHD on YouTube, clearly show Michael Mando back in action.
These images capture Mando sporting the same bald head he had in Homecoming and, crucially, dressed in what appears to be white prison scrubs, sometimes with a single handcuff. This attire strongly suggests that a major prison break sequence is part of the movie's plot, as reported by insider @DanielRPK and indicated by additional set videos showing police officers and Spider-Man dealing with a tank escaping, all filmed in Basingstoke, U.K., which was transformed into New York City.
The visual evidence from the set aligns with earlier trade reports in August 2025, which revealed Mando's return to the franchise. Fans have been quick to share their excitement, with comments on social media platforms like Twitter/X indicating thrill about the "PRISON BREAK SCENE" and the potential for a "grounded Spider-Man era."
Mac Gargan speaking to the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming - Marvel Studios
Ariana Grande totally owned the Oscars 2025! From her breathtaking 'Wicked' performance with Cynthia Erivo to her show-stopping pink gown and Best Supporting Actress nomination get all the details here on MoviesMoly!
Uncertainties and Fan Theories Surrounding Scorpion's Role in the Narrative
Given the dramatic events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where the world's memories of Peter Parker as Spider-Man were erased, the exact nature of Mac Gargan's return remains a topic of considerable speculation. It is currently unclear if this version of Mac Gargan is precisely the same one from Homecoming or a multiversal variant, especially since the memory wipe should have erased his knowledge of Spider-Man's identity and perhaps his grudge.
Fans are eagerly debating how the Scorpion will be presented in Brand New Day. Will he remain primarily a criminal with his iconic tattoo, or will he finally emerge as a full-blown supervillain, equipped with his high-tech mechanical scorpion suit, as teased by Mando's social media posts hinting at comic book covers featuring the Scorpion suit?
Some fan theories, spurred by Mando's social media activity highlighting specific comic covers, even suggest that Mac Gargan could become the MCU's version of Venom. This idea gains traction from the post-credits scene of No Way Home, which showed a piece of the Venom symbiote left behind in Earth-616. The symbiote, drawn to rage and vengeance, could bond with Gargan, providing a fresh take on Venom without immediately rebooting the Eddie Brock storyline from Sony's separate Venom trilogy.
While rumors suggest Scorpion might not be one of the "main villains" and could have limited screen time as part of a montage of Peter's crime-fighting, many fans hope he receives a more substantial role, given the groundwork laid in Homecoming.
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's relationship is a wild ride! Baby news breakup rumors twin flame talk and legal battles. Get the latest scoop on MoviesMoly.
Scorpion's Rich Comic Book Legacy and Michael Mando's Impressive Career
The character of Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, has a long and storied history in Marvel Comics, first appearing in 1964. In his comic debut, he was a private investigator hired by J. Jonah Jameson to uncover how Peter Parker consistently obtained such excellent photos of Spider-Man. Impatient, Jameson then enlisted Gargan to undergo a procedure that granted him super-strength and the predatory instincts of a scorpion. Outfitted with his signature scorpion armor, he quickly became one of Spider-Man's most recognizable and enduring foes, a fellow arachnid for Peter to battle.
Over more than 60 years, the character has seen multiple iterations, including a notable period where he briefly served as the host to the Venom symbiote. Scorpion's consistent presence as a reliable villain makes his return to the ever-expanding MCU a logical and exciting development for long-time comic fans.
Beyond his role as Mac Gargan, actor Michael Mando has built an impressive resume. He is widely recognized for his acclaimed portrayal of Nacho Varga in the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul. His film credits include The Hummingbird Project and the action movie King Ivory. Mando is also set to appear in the upcoming Charlie Hunnam TV show Criminal, which is based on a Marvel/Image Comics series, though it is not part of the MCU.
The stars of 'Wicked' Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande rocked the 2025 Oscars! Elphaba's green dress Glinda's pink gown and a 'Defying Gravity' performance that brought the house down. Get the scoop on MoviesMoly!
The Wider Web of Villains and Allies in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be a packed film, continuing Peter Parker's journey after the world forgot his identity in No Way Home. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is at the helm, with Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers returning as writers, and Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal producing.
Tom Holland expressed that the film feels less like a fourth movie and more like "the first movie in the chapter," calling it a "rebirth" and "something completely new." This sentiment resonates with the idea of Peter starting fresh, fighting crime on his own without his previous support system.
New photo of the tank upside and destroyed on the set of Spider-man Brand New Day Via @batuhansafakk
In addition to Michael Mando's Scorpion, the movie is rumored to feature a host of other antagonists. Marvin Jones III is reportedly set to reprise his role as Lonnie Lincoln, also known as Tombstone, making his live-action debut after voicing the character in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Jon Bernthal's Punisher is also confirmed to appear and could serve as another significant antagonist, or perhaps an uneasy ally, for the web-slinger.
The cast list also includes returning favorites Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, despite the memory wipe, though their interactions with Peter remain a mystery. Mark Ruffalo will be back as Bruce Banner, or the Hulk, with rumors suggesting a potentially monstrous, out-of-control version could even be an antagonist. New additions to the cast include Sadie Sink, Tramell Tillman, and Liza Colón-Zayas, adding fresh faces to Peter's new world.
Discover the best Netflix movies and shows to stream right now in 2025. From Oscar winners to hidden gems, these are the titles you can't miss.
Anticipating the Theatrical Release and Future MCU Connections
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to open in theaters on July 31, 2026. This release date places it as one of two Marvel films slated for 2026, with the other being the much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, debuting on December 18, 2026. Another major Marvel ensemble film, Avengers: Secret Wars, is set for December 17, 2027.
The substantial eight-year gap between Mac Gargan's last appearance and his return means he will likely be "really pissed," as one fan on Twitter/X, link_tiempo, noted, if he didn't blip during Thanos' snap. This prolonged period of imprisonment would certainly allow his rage against Spider-Man to intensify, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.
Production for the film briefly paused after Tom Holland sustained a head injury, but filming has since resumed, building anticipation for this new chapter. With a mix of returning characters, new cast members, and a seemingly more grounded, street-level narrative, Spider-Man: Brand New Day promises to be a pivotal installment in the MCU, further developing Peter Parker's journey as a solo hero.
Release Timeline for Upcoming Spider-Man and Avengers Films
| Film Title | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | July 31, 2026 |
| Avengers: Doomsday | December 18, 2026 |
| Avengers: Secret Wars | December 17, 2027 |
The stage is set for a thrilling new era for Spider-Man, with Michael Mando's Scorpion finally getting his chance to make a definitive mark on the MCU. Fans eagerly await July 2026 to see how Peter Parker navigates this "brand new day" filled with both familiar and fresh threats.