Get ready, Web-Heads! New leaked set photos and videos from Spider-Man: Brand New Day are spilling some major tea, confirming epic returns and sparking wild speculation about Peter Parker's next big adventure. It looks like our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is heading for a gritty, street-level showdown!
TL;DR - Your Quick Web-Slinger Updates!- Scorpion's Back (and Breaking Out?): Michael Mando returns as Mac Gargan, seen in prison gear on set, hinting at a major escape and fulfilling an 8-year-old tease from Homecoming.
- Punisher & Hulk Confirmed: Jon Bernthal's Punisher is chasing Gargan, and Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is joining the already star-studded cast, promising a powerful street-level story.
- New Faces & Comic Connections: Liza Colón-Zayas is spotted as a police officer, fueling theories she's playing NYPD Detective Jean DeWolff, a classic Spidey ally from the comics.
The Web Continues to Weave: Peter Parker's Next Chapter

Ever since Spider-Man: No Way Home wrapped up, leaving Peter Parker with literally no one remembering him, fans have been on pins and needles for news about his next solo outing. Well, the wait is getting shorter, and the teases are getting bigger!
Titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, this upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film is already shaping up to be a massive event. With Destin Daniel Cretton (the genius behind Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) directing and the tried-and-true writing team of Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers back at the helm, we're expecting something special. And guess what? Production is back in full swing after a brief pause for a minor injury to our main man, Tom Holland!
Mac Gargan's Long-Awaited Return as Scorpion

Remember that intense post-credits scene from 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming? Michael Mando's Mac Gargan, locked up, trying to get Vulture to spill Spidey's secret identity? He's been holding a grudge for eight long years, and it looks like it's finally time for that promise to be fulfilled!
New set photos and videos from Basingstoke, England, have given us our first glimpse of Mando back in action as Mac Gargan. He's been spotted exiting a helicopter, still sporting what looks like prison gear and even a single handcuff. This strongly suggests that one of the film's major set pieces will involve a high-stakes prison break. Some photos even show paramilitary vehicles, including a tank, which fans are speculating could be used to bust out Gargan and potentially other villains.
In the comics, Mac Gargan becomes the formidable supervillain known as the Scorpion, often sporting a high-tech suit with a deadly mechanical tail. While we've only seen him in his "human" form so far in the Mcu, the anticipation for his full Scorpion transformation is at an all-time high. There are even whispers that Mando himself has teased a "Venom-like transformation" for his character, which would be a wild and exciting new direction, given Scorpion's history as a host for the Venom symbiote in the comics.
"Since Tom Holland returned to the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, photos and videos from the set have indicated that one of the film’s major set pieces will involve Michael Mando’s Mac Gargan being pursued by Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle."
– Charles Murphy, News WriterNew York's Gritty Underbelly: Punisher, Tombstone & More

But Scorpion isn't the only heavy-hitter making waves. We're thrilled to confirm that Jon Bernthal is back as Frank Castle, the Punisher! Set videos show him actively pursuing Mac Gargan, indicating a truly "street-level" story is brewing for Peter. This isn't just a cameo; it seems like Punisher will be deeply embedded in the narrative, bringing his unique brand of vigilante justice to New York City.
Adding to the villainous roster, Marvin Jones III is confirmed to be playing Tombstone (Lonnie Lincoln), a classic New York City crime boss. This makes perfect sense for a gritty, ground-level narrative. Could Tombstone be the mastermind behind Scorpion's prison break, perhaps looking for an enforcer? It certainly feels like a perfect fit!
And the star power doesn't stop there! Mark Ruffalo is also confirmed to return as Bruce Banner/Hulk. How the Jade Giant fits into a street-level Spider-Man story with Punisher and Scorpion is an exciting mystery, but it definitely promises some incredible dynamics.
Exciting New Faces and Classic Comic Connections
Beyond the returning fan-favorites, Brand New Day is bringing in some fresh talent in intriguing, yet undisclosed, roles. Sadie Sink (from Stranger Things) is reportedly taking on the film's female lead, and we can't wait to see who she's playing. Tramell Tillman (known for his work on Severance) has also joined the cast in an unknown capacity.
However, one new casting has fans buzzing with comic book lore possibilities: Liza Colón-Zayas, a standout from The Bear. New set footage shows her dressed as a police officer, having an extended conversation with Spider-Man amidst a messy aftermath in the streets. This has led to intense speculation that she's playing NYPD Detective Jean DeWolff.
For those unfamiliar, Jean DeWolff is a significant character from the Spider-Man comics, first introduced in 1976. She was one of Spidey's first and most trusted NYPD allies, forming a close working relationship with him. Her tragic story, particularly "The Death of Jean DeWolff" arc, is considered one of the best Spider-Man tales of all time. Having her as Peter's first official police ally in the MCU would be a fantastic way to ground his new, post-No Way Home existence and open up compelling new storylines. Interestingly, earlier fan theories had speculated Colón-Zayas might be playing Rio Morales, Miles Morales' mother, but the police uniform strongly points to DeWolff.
Drawing Inspiration from the Spider-Verse: Gaming Connections

Another fascinating aspect of the set leaks is the growing fan theory that Spider-Man: Brand New Day might be taking cues from the critically acclaimed Spider-Man PS4 game. Photos of various paramilitary equipment, bomb squad cars, ambulances, and especially a helicopter, have led fans to draw parallels to iconic action sequences from the game, including a memorable helicopter chase.
Given that Tom Holland himself has openly acknowledged scouring the internet for fan feedback before this film's production, it wouldn't be surprising if the filmmakers are indeed drawing inspiration from one of the most beloved pieces of Spider-Man media in recent memory. While it's unlikely we'll see a direct adaptation of game villains like Mister Negative or Silver Sable (though Sable is rumored to be a potential threat), the visual language and scale of action seem to be heading in that direction, promising thrilling set pieces for audiences.
The Road Ahead: Release Date and MCU Implications
Get your calendars ready! Spider-Man: Brand New Day is officially scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. This date gives it some breathing room from other major releases and firmly places it within Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This film will be crucial in setting the stage for future MCU events, especially with its proximity to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday (December 16, 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027). It's highly anticipated that Tom Holland's Spider-Man will play a significant role in these massive team-up films, and Brand New Day will undoubtedly redefine his place in a world that no longer remembers its friendly neighborhood hero.
While we're still a ways off, the hype is palpable. And if the rumors are true, we might even get our first official trailer as early as February 8, 2026, potentially during the Super Bowl, following Marvel's established marketing patterns for other big releases like Deadpool & Wolverine and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Don't expect all the secrets to be revealed then, but a glimpse of Holland's new reality and these incredible new (and returning) characters will be more than enough to keep us buzzing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spider-Man: Brand New DayWhen is "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" officially releasing?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently slated for release on July 31, 2026, in theaters.
Who is confirmed to be in the cast so far?
Confirmed and reported cast members include Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Zendaya (MJ), Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds), Michael Mando (Scorpion), Jon Bernthal (Punisher), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, Marvin Jones III (Tombstone), and Tramell Tillman. Charlie Cox (Daredevil) is also rumored.
What's the latest speculation about Liza Colón-Zayas's character?
Based on set photos showing her as a police officer interacting with Spider-Man, the leading theory is that Liza Colón-Zayas is portraying NYPD Detective Jean DeWolff, a classic Spider-Man ally from the comics. She was previously speculated to be Miles Morales' mother, Rio.
Will Michael Mando's Scorpion finally get his comic-accurate suit?
While set photos show Michael Mando in prison attire, there's strong anticipation among fans for him to finally don a comic-accurate Scorpion suit. Mando himself has also hinted at a "Venom-like transformation" for his character.
Sources- Comic Basics
- Collider
- Movie News Chat
- ScreenRant
- SlashFilm