Forget Hulk—Spider-Man: Brand New Day Is About a Much Bigger Villain Plot

Warning: This post may contain potential spoilers for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day will feature a major villain who manipulates Bruce Banner’s mind and turns him into the Savage Hulk.

According to an insider report, the Spider-Man and Punisher vs. Hulk showdown takes place only in the first act of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. However, Bruce Banner’s rampage is not the main conflict—it’s a clue pointing to a larger, hidden threat.

The true cause of Hulk’s rage ties into the main plot, which involves a group of villains led by Mister Negative. The Punisher wants to kill Hulk, believing he’s too dangerous. But Peter Parker wants to save Bruce; he sees him as a victim, not an enemy. They team up to stop the Hulk. “The Hulk is a problem to solve, not a villain.”

Filming has officially begun in Glasgow, Scotland, with Tom Holland appearing on set in his new Spider-Man suit. The first day of shooting features a tank chase scene. See the images and footage below.

As per our source, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will reportedly be a “much darker” film than Holland’s previous trilogy. In the film, Spider-Man, Punisher, and Hulk will all fight one another—before discovering who the real villains are.

According to scooper Daniel Richtman, the villains in Spider-Man: Brand New Day include Tombstone, Tarantula, Boomerang, Scorpion, and Ramrod, who is described as half-cyborg.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton from a screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the film stars Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon also reprising their roles as MJ Watson and Ned Leeds. Sadie Sink joins the cast as Gwen Stacy, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle (a.k.a. the Punisher), and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Liza Colón-Zayas has been cast in an undisclosed role, and Michael Mando is reprising his Spider-Man: Homecoming role as Mac Gargan.

After the world has forgotten his name, Peter Parker (Holland) begins a new chapter in his life — balancing college classes, part-time work, and his responsibility as New York’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. But when a mysterious force begins to unravel the city from the inside out, Peter finds himself caught between powerful enemies, old legacies, and unexpected allies. As shadows from the past creep into his present, he must redefine what it truly means to be a hero — on his own.

The film is produced by Amy Pascal, Rachel O’Connor, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Mitch Bell.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will hit theaters and IMAX on July 31, 2026.