Summary
Highlights
New footage from 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' has sparked theories about the main villain. Initially, Mr. Negative was a strong contender, especially given the Hulk's potential transformation into Savage Hulk. However, recent scooper reports suggest Mr. Negative will not be in the movie, raising questions about Hulk's regression. Hollywood trade publications indicated a three-way standoff between Spider-Man, Punisher, and Hulk before the true villain is revealed. Michael Mando is confirmed to return as a comic-accurate Scorpion, adding to the mystery of other villains. Tombstone and Kingpin are not expected to be the main antagonists.
One significant detail from the new 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' videos is the return of practical web-slinging. This is a departure from Tom Holland's previous Spider-Man films, where web-slinging was entirely visual effects, a decision made by former director Jon Watts. The new director, Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously directed Shang-Chi, has opted to bring back practical web-slinging, which is expected to enhance the comic-book accuracy and visual appeal of the film. This change makes Spider-Man feel more in line with comic book portrayals.
Current filming shows Spider-Man engaged in a major chase and fight scene involving a military vehicle. Scoopers suggest the vehicle is driven by Punisher, and Spider-Man is fighting both Punisher and Scorpion simultaneously. The core dynamic of the movie appears to be Punisher attempting to kill villains, including Scorpion, while Spider-Man tries to stop him. Scorpion is also fighting Spider-Man, even though Spider-Man is trying to save him from Punisher. Speculation arises on how Punisher will be on par with Spider-Man and Hulk, possibly through upgraded military weapons. The red 'demon-looking' logo initially thought to be for Mr. Negative's Inner Demons is now believed to be a new Punisher logo, a redesigned version Marvel attempted in the past.
Given the unlikelihood of Mr. Negative's involvement, a new theory suggests Scorpion's venom could be the catalyst for Hulk's transformation back into Savage Hulk. It's theorized that if Scorpion stings Bruce Banner, it could cause a reaction that allows Hulk's mind to completely dominate over Banner's, leading to the full Savage Hulk. This aligns with comic book accuracy, where Hulk is immune to certain magic spells, potentially explaining why the mind-erasing spell on Peter Parker might only affect Banner and not Hulk.
Footage of Punisher filming a special presentation suggests it is based on the 'Welcome Back, Frank' comic arc, possibly featuring the Gnucci crime family. This special is intended to be canon to the MCU and will likely be released before 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. A post-credits scene in the Punisher special presentation is anticipated to explain Punisher's unhinged behavior and his motivation for hunting villains at the beginning of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. The source of his upgraded weapons remains unclear, with speculation pointing to Damage Control.
Marvel has released an official synopsis for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. It describes Peter Parker balancing college life and heroics, then encountering a 'mysterious force' unraveling the city and dealing with 'powerful enemies, old legacies, and unexpected allies.' This points to Scorpion's return and potentially initial clashes with Punisher and Hulk before they team up. The 'mysterious force' doesn't align with Mr. Negative or Kingpin based on recent reports, leaving the true main villain a mystery. A mood board created by the movie's costume prop modeler, Monica Oviedo, suggests a Japanese samurai and ninja influence for the villains, prompting questions about characters like The Hand, Silver Samurai, or Viper.