Contrary to initial expectations, Spider-Man: No Way Home, while not a traditional origin story, acted as one in a significant way. The third installment starring Tom Holland as Spider-Man (the tenth Peter Parker movie overall) concluded with a pivotal shift. For the first time within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Peter Parker stands alone, without the support of the Avengers or the technological enhancements of Tony Stark’s suit. This set the stage for a more grounded narrative, a classic “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” tale. Previous buzz hinted at a sequel focused on street-level threats. However, recent reports suggest a change in direction.
According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day may be crowded with familiar faces from the MCU. Reportedly, Mark Ruffalo’s Incredible Hulk and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher are slated to appear. The report also indicates the return of Michael Mando as Scorpion, finally delivering on a post-credits scene teased way back in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
The return of the Hulk is undoubtedly the most significant piece of news. Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the Hulk since 2012’s The Avengers has made him a staple of the MCU, frequently appearing in supporting roles across various films and TV shows. However, he has never headlined his own solo project, primarily due to complicated rights agreements. Seeing him appear alongside Spider-Man makes sense, as it’s a pairing with a rich history in the comics, where the two have often clashed.
The concern isn’t so much about the Hulk himself, but what his inclusion might signify. The appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day hints that a pattern might be emerging, in which each of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films feature a more experienced Avenger acting as a mentor or guardian figure for Peter Parker. Iron Man played that role in Homecoming, followed by Nick Fury in Far From Home, and Doctor Strange in No Way Home. While these inclusions weren’t necessarily unwelcome or forced, they may have detracted from Spider-Man’s ability to truly stand on his own—a character known for learning from his mistakes and resolving his own issues.
The potential involvement of the Hulk in Brand New Day suggests that despite the previous film’s conclusion showing Spidey independently living in a small apartment crafting his own suit, a powerful, green “babysitter” could be just around the corner. It is possible that Hulk’s role will only be a brief cameo, or even a post-credit scene leading into Avengers: Doomsday. Nonetheless, it is starting to feel like Brand New Day might not fully deliver on the promise of a solo Spider-Man adventure within the MCU when it premieres on July 31, 2026.