After Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Reveal, Two More Spider-Man Stars Official for ‘Brand New Day’

Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are confirmed to return alongside Tom Holland in the upcoming Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This movie will be the fourth solo Spider-Man film starring Holland as Peter Parker, following Homecoming (2017), Far From Home (2019), and No Way Home (2021). The movie is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is set to direct this new Spider-Man installment. Sadie Sink, known for her role in Stranger Things, is also part of the cast.

Plot details remain largely under wraps. Speaking at CinemaCon, Tom Holland said, “I know we left you with a massive cliffhanger at the end of ‘No Way Home,’ so ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is a fresh start. It is exactly that. That’s all I can say.”

Zendaya’s involvement was rumored for months, though it was unclear how big her role would be, considering the way No Way Home ended. For Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned, this official confirmation comes after some uncertainty and rumors, including speculation that Ned might become the villain Hobgoblin, but nothing has been confirmed about that.

The previous three Spider-Man movies starring Holland have all been huge successes, earning hundreds of millions worldwide. Homecoming made $880 million, Far From Home brought in $1.13 billion, and No Way Home earned an impressive $1.9 billion.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed in December that Sony and Marvel were working closely to develop the story for this next Spider-Man film. He also assured fans that the partnership between Sony and Disney remains strong, unlike some of the issues they faced during the development of No Way Home.

After director Jon Watts stepped down from another Marvel project in 2022, there was speculation about whether he, Holland, and Zendaya would return. Feige later confirmed in early 2023 that writers had started developing the script, calling it a film with “big ideas.” However, the Writers Guild of America strike delayed progress for a while.

Holland has said he wants to come back only if the story honors his character well. By late 2024, Cretton was officially named director, and filming is expected to begin around mid-2025.

Fans have a lot to look forward to when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters next summer. It will be interesting to see how this fresh chapter unfolds after the cliffhanger from No Way Home.

In my opinion, having Zendaya and Jacob Batalon confirmed adds a lot of excitement for fans who loved their characters. It feels like this movie will balance new directions while keeping the core team together. What do you think about their return? Are you excited for the new Spider-Man story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!