Yelena, Tarantula & Prowler: Big Villain Reveals for "Spider-Man 4: Brand New Day"

Filming for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has been underway since early August – and the rumor mill shows no signs of slowing down. According to well-known insider Daniel Richtman, Florence Pugh is reportedly joining the cast as Yelena Belova after her impressive performance in "Thunderbolts." Whether she'll have a larger role or just a brief appearance is still unclear. One possibility could be a post-credit scene where she tries to recruit Spider-Man for the new Avengers lineup.

Mister Negative is out – others step into the spotlight

Another big talking point is the fresh casting of Tramell Tillman, best known for his role in the award-winning sci-fi series "Severance". According to insiders like Nexus Point News, Tillman could be playing Jefferson Davis, the father of Miles Morales. That would be a smart move to set up the introduction of a live-action Miles Morales. There's also speculation about an MCU version of Norman Osborn or even Kang the Conqueror, though the latter seems less likely, as such a storyline would probably fit better into an "Avengers" movie.

According to The Cosmic Circus, Spidey's next adventure will open with an action-packed montage featuring several villains, including Tarantula, Boomerang, and Ramrod. The sequence will reportedly show how Peter has fought numerous battles since "No Way Home" and how he has continued upgrading his suit. Despite plenty of speculation, Mister Negative reportedly won't appear in "Brand New Day."

During a recent Q&A, insider Alex Perez was asked which main villains are being planned for Tom Holland's new trilogy. Among the names he's heard are Kingpin, Tombstone, Hammerhead, Prowler, and Venom.

New trilogy, new villains

Mac Gargan, better known as Scorpion and first introduced in "Homecoming". could play a bigger role in the future. His appearance in "Brand New Day" has already been confirmed, and some insiders believe he could lose to Peter in this movie, only to return as the MCU's version of Venom in "Spider-Man 5" or even part 6, seeking revenge. The symbiote needed for this transformation could make its way to Earth following the events of "Avengers: Secret Wars".

The cast: Spider-Man & the Punisher vs. the Hulk

Of course, Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man, no surprises there. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are also expected to appear, but reportedly in very small roles. This lines up with the storyline established in "No Way Home," where MJ and Ned no longer remember Peter, meaning we're unlikely to see a full reunion of the trio anytime soon.

The Punisher

One of the biggest headlines in recent weeks is the involvement of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher. This marks his first appearance in an MCU film after starring in the "Daredevil" series and his own "Punisher" spinoff. His role in "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is expected to add a darker, grittier tone to the movie, something the previous Spider-Man films haven't really explored. While details about his exact role are still under wraps, several insiders claim Bernthal will have a significant amount of screen time.

The Hulk

Another surprising twist involves a rumored battle between Spider-Man, The Punisher, and a wild, uncontrolled version of the Hulk. Mark Ruffalo is already confirmed to be part of the cast, but fans are curious to see how Bruce Banner's more aggressive side comes back after playing a calmer version in recent MCU appearances.

One theory suggests this could be tied to the return of crime boss Mister Negative. Casting reports hint at the involvement of an Asian actor, and production notes suggest the team has been studying Shinobi and Samurai clothing styles, all of which point toward Mister Negative's potential influence. In the comics, his powers could trigger Hulk's violent side, making him the perfect catalyst for this storyline.

This setup also opens the door for a more personal story involving Bruce Banner. At the start of the film, Bruce could take on a mentor role for Peter, similar to Tony Stark in "Homecoming", making a showdown with a raging Hulk especially dramatic.

Production and release date

In a first teaser clip, fans already got a glimpse of Tom Holland in his brand-new Spider-Man suit. At the same time, Marvel confirmed that filming for the blockbuster has officially begun. Leaked footage from the set in Glasgow shows an intense action sequence being filmed, and Holland himself has posted behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram — including one where he's standing on top of a tank in full Spider-Man costume.

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is scheduled to hit theaters on July 30, 2026. That's when we'll finally find out which of these countless rumors turn out to be true.