Report: Female Shapeshifter to Be Main Villain in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

(Note: This article contains potential spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.)

Marvel Studios is seeking a large villain group for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The film will be ‘a little darker and more grounded’ compared to previous Spider-Man movies.

According to John Rocha on an episode of The Hot Mic, the main villain of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is reportedly a female shapeshifter, and the casting has already been completed.

In Marvel Comics, characters such as the Skrulls, Queen Veranke, and Chameleon are among the main shapeshifters connected to Spider-Man. From what I’ve heard, Chameleon will be part of Brand New Day.

John said, “I’ve had sources reach out to me close to the production, and someone who was recently at a Disney presentation for the film.” He added, “What I’m being told is that the main villain is a female shapeshifter. They’ve cast the person, but I’m not allowed to say who it is. Not sure if they’re the Chameleon or not, but they are a shapeshifter.“

Also, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) are going to be the “main people” Spider-Man is fighting in the movie.

John added that neither Tombstone nor the Scorpion are the “main villains,” adding that “Boomerang is also going to be part of this movie, and that MJ (Zendaya) has a new boyfriend, which is what causes Peter to snap a bit and makes the movie a little darker and more grounded.“

The filming is happening now in Hampshire, England, with Tom Holland‘s stunt double performing action scenes, as Holland was injured during the filming. It is reported that Holland will resume production next week.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton is directing the film from a screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. The film stars Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon reprising their roles as MJ Watson and Ned Leeds. Sadie Sink joins the cast alongside Bernthal as Frank Castle (a.k.a. The Punisher) and Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Liza Colón-Zayas and Tramell Tillman have also been cast in undisclosed roles, while Michael Mando returns as Mac Gargan from Spider-Man: Homecoming and Marvin Jones III has been confirmed to play the role of Tombstone. Additionally, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova will appear in the movie.

Here’s the new synopsis for Spider-Man: Brand New Day:

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 is scheduled to hit theaters and IMAX on July 31, 2026.

Source: The Hot Mic