Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Jacob Batalon’s Ned will appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, as Tom Holland returns to the MCU in 2026.
June 22, 2025: Tom Holland’s Spider-Man journey is far from over. As Spider-Man 4, officially titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, gears up for its 2026 release, two major MCU characters have been confirmed to join the next chapter of Peter Parker’s story: Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle/The Punisher and Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bernthal—who reprised his fan-favorite vigilante in Daredevil: Born Again—will now bring the Punisher into direct contact with Spider-Man. This marks a significant development for Marvel Studios’ Phase 6, suggesting a grittier, street-level tone for the web-slinger’s next outing.
Meanwhile, Jacob Batalon returns as Ned, Peter’s former best friend, although the size and scope of his role remain under wraps. After No Way Home’s reality-resetting spell erased Peter from everyone’s memory, fans have long speculated whether Ned or MJ (Zendaya) would ever reconnect with the wall-crawler.
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🎥 What to Expect from Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Set to begin filming in August 2025, the film will be helmed by Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It’s scheduled for a July 31, 2026 release—just months ahead of the now-delayed Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026).
This installment is expected to go full street-level, echoing darker Marvel tones as Peter deals with New York’s rising criminal threats. With Sadie Sink, Zendaya, and Liza Colón-Zayas also on board, the cast is shaping up to blend youthful intensity with emotional depth.
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🦸 Street-Level Showdown: Spider-Man, Punisher, & Daredevil?
With Punisher confirmed, speculation is mounting about a potential appearance by Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, further building the street-level narrative. The moral tension between Daredevil’s code, Punisher’s ruthlessness, and Peter’s idealism could give the MCU some of its most complex character dynamics yet.
A brief musical cue in Born Again’s finale already hinted at a Spider-Man connection, and Marvel seems poised to capitalize on the chemistry among these grounded heroes.
👀 Multiversal Shadows & New Faces
Adding to the mystery is Sadie Sink’s undisclosed role, which some fans believe could involve Mayday Parker, a multiversal variant, or a new vigilante. With the multiverse still looming in the backdrop post-No Way Home, Peter’s return could be both personal and cosmic.
Meanwhile, Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland are also co-starring in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, suggesting a strong working relationship between the actors.
As Spider-Man swings back into the MCU spotlight, Brand New Day promises a fresh, grittier chapter that balances action with emotional stakes—and introduces new allies and dangerous allies alike.
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Spider-Man 4, Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, Punisher MCU, Jacob Batalon, Ned Leeds, Spider-Man Brand New Day, Marvel Studios, Sadie Sink, Daredevil MCU, Spider-Man casting, Phase 6 Marvel, MCU street level