Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth Tom Holland-led Spider-Man film, has begun production in Glasgow, Scotland, with director Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm. In a major casting reveal, The Hollywood Reporter confirms Mark Ruffalo will reprise his role as Bruce Banner, aka Hulk, alongside Jon Bernthal as the Punisher and Michael Mando as Scorpion. The film, set for release on July 31, 2026, promises an action-packed story featuring Holland’s Peter Parker, with production moving to Pinewood Studios after location shooting.
Ruffalo’s Hulk joins the MCU’s Spider-Man saga, continuing the tradition of pairing Peter Parker with iconic Marvel heroes, as seen with Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Nick Fury in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Jon Bernthal returns as Frank Castle, the Punisher, marking the character’s first MCU big-screen appearance and his first cinematic role since 2008’s Punisher: War Zone, where Ray Stevenson played the vigilante.
Michael Mando reprises his role as Mac Gargan, aka Scorpion, from Spider-Man: Homecoming. While plot details remain under wraps, the story is expected to feature Spider-Man, Hulk, and Punisher initially clashing before uniting against a shared enemy, in classic Marvel style. The screenplay, penned by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, builds on the emotional stakes of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day draws inspiration from the 2008 comic arc, focusing on Peter Parker’s life after his identity was erased from the world’s memory. The film will emphasize street-level heroics in New York City, with returning cast members Zendaya as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, and new additions Sadie Sink and Liza Colón-Zayas. Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, aims to blend grounded action with comic book fidelity, recreating iconic moments like The Amazing Spider-Man #129. The film is a key part of the MCU’s Phase Six, promising a mix of heart, humor, and spectacle.
Mark Ruffalo’s return as Bruce Banner marks his tenth MCU appearance, following his debut in 2012’s The Avengers. He has since portrayed the Hulk in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, where he introduced his son, Skaar. His nuanced take on Banner’s duality is expected to add depth to his dynamic with Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
As Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into production, the film is poised to deliver a fresh chapter for Peter Parker, blending street-level stakes with MCU crossovers. With Ruffalo, Bernthal, and Holland leading the charge, fans can anticipate a thrilling adventure when the film hits theaters on July 31, 2026.
