Tom Holland is gearing up once again to swing back into action as Spider-Man in the fourth film of the franchise, now officially titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day. One of the biggest surprises in this upcoming installment is the addition of Jon Bernthal, who is set to bring back his intense and gritty Marvel character, Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher. Bernthal will be joining the familiar faces of Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, who are also returning as MJ and Ned.
While Marvel is still keeping most of the movie’s plot tightly under wraps, early buzz suggests that this time around, Peter Parker might be up against a swarm of villains. With the Punisher entering the scene, it’s likely that he’ll be tackling threats in his own brutal way—on the ground with guns, knives, and fists—while Spider-Man handles other parts of the chaos. Bernthal originally took on the role of Frank Castle in the Netflix series The Punisher, where he played a vengeful and emotionally scarred man determined to take down those responsible for his family’s murder.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day picks up from where the third film left off. At the end of No Way Home, Peter Parker sacrificed his relationships to protect the ones he loves, leading to the entire world, including MJ and Ned, forgetting who he is. The new movie will focus on Peter’s struggle to reconnect with them and possibly restore their memories, all while facing some of the most dangerous enemies yet.
Two new villains are also reportedly joining the lineup: Silver Samurai and Viper. Marvel fans might recognize these two from the 2013 movie The Wolverine, where they appeared as alternate versions of themselves. In this film, however, they’re expected to pose a much greater threat, potentially aiming to wreak global havoc.
The returning cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jacob Batalon. But this time, the movie will also feature Sadie Sink, known for her role in Stranger Things, though her character remains a mystery. Rumors are swirling that Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi could appear, adding more star power and crossover potential. There’s also speculation that Mark Ruffalo might show up as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, possibly teasing more connections to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe and the build-up to Avengers: Doomsday.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal have shared the screen. The duo previously starred in Pilgrimage back in 2017, during the early stages of their Marvel journeys. They reportedly supported one another during their respective audition processes, making their reunion in Spider-Man: Brand New Day a full-circle moment for both actors.
With a deepening storyline, fan-favorite characters returning, and new ones shaking things up, the fourth Spider-Man film is shaping up to be one of the most exciting chapters in the franchise yet.
