Did Ned Just Confirm He’s the New ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Villain?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for a packed slate of movies, but fans have been vocal about wanting fewer, higher-quality projects after some recent misses. One character who never fails to pull in crowds is Spider-Man, the MCU’s biggest money-maker. Filming for Spider-Man: Brand New Day kicked off in Glasgow over a week ago, and leaks from the set are already stirring up excitement.

Set photos and videos have fans buzzing about possible villains in the movie. Glasgow World’s Paul Trainer reported spotting a prop shaped like a rhinoceros head on set, hinting at the return of the comic book villain Rhino.

Armored vehicles with a red demon logo, linked to the Inner Demons gang and their leader Mister Negative, also popped up, fueling speculation that he’ll be a major player. On top of that, rumors are swirling about other villains like Knull and Hobgoblin joining the fray, keeping fans guessing about what’s next.

The Hobgoblin chatter got a boost when Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned Leeds, posted a photo on social media holding a Hobgoblin action figure. This sparked a frenzy among fans, with some loving the idea of Ned turning villain and others not so thrilled.

The rumor isn’t new, Batalon spoke to CBR months before filming started, addressing whether Ned could become Hobgoblin. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Again, we may have talked about things, for sure, but I don’t know if it would’ve really led to anything serious about being a villain, or anything like that,” he said.

He also made it clear he’s in the dark about his role in the film, saying, “I’m open to anything, and I think we all are open to anything. Unless you’re like a superhero, like big time, one of the main ones they’re trying to make movies about, you don’t really know what’s going to happen. In the industry, people don’t want to hope to wish. So, I would hopefully [return]. I’m down for anything. I would love to be a part of something special again. But also at the same time, I understand it’s a business, and people may not want that thing anymore, so I’m just being more realistic than anything else.”

While Batalon’s future in the movie is uncertain, the Glasgow set is buzzing with clues. The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, is set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026, and will follow Peter Parker’s journey after the world forgot his identity in Spider-Man: No Way Home. With Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal as The Punisher, and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk confirmed, plus new faces like Sadie Sink and Liza Colón-Zayas, the cast is stacked.

Whether it’s Rhino, Mister Negative, or even a surprise Hobgoblin twist, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be a wild ride.

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