New Spider-Man 4 Rumors Tease Devastating Heartbreak for Peter Parker (and It’s For the Best)

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On the latest episode of the podcast The Hot Mic, co-host John Rocha shared some details he’s heard about Brand New Day. One of the more intriguing bits involves MJ’s social life. “MJ has a new boyfriend, which is what causes Peter to snap a bit,” he said. “And it makes the film a little darker and more grounded.”

Regarding the villains, Rocha said he’s heard the main antagonist is a “female shapeshifter,” but he was not allowed to reveal who had been cast in that role. “Not sure if they’re the Chameleon or not, but they are a shapeshifter,” he said. “Tombstone and Scorpion are in the film, but they’re not the main villains.” He cautioned that fans should take all this with a grain of salt since it’s rumor for now.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Will Honor No Way Home‘s Heartbreaking Ending

Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Assuming these rumors pan out, perhaps the biggest takeaway is that there won’t be a cheap reversal of Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s emotional ending. After Peter opted to not reintroduce himself to MJ and Ned, his former companions did not magically remember their adventures with Spider-Man and rekindle their relationships. As heartbreaking as this is, it’s arguably for the best. No Way Home was a very powerful moment for Peter’s growth as a character, as he learned the true meaning of the “great responsibility” that comes with his role as Spider-Man. Undercutting that for a happy reunion between Pete, Ned, and MJ would just spoil what made No Way Home so special.

Holland has teased that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the first film of a new chapter for Peter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Reverting back to the status quo would undermine that mission statement. If this is truly going to be a new beginning for Peter, he needs to learn to move on from his old life. It sounds like this will be the foundation for his arc in Brand New Day, as he struggles dealing with the one-sided relationships he has with Ned and MJ. It will be interesting to see just how dark director Destin Daniel Cretton is willing to go with the portrayal of Peter. If Spider-Man is going to cross paths with the Punisher, things could get quite heavy and perhaps push the boundaries of the PG-13 rating. Overcoming that darkness could be a poignant development for Peter as he learns to make peace with himself and his new reality (and maybe stop checking in on an old girlfriend who doesn’t remember he exists).

As for the rumors about the villains, it would be a little disappointing if Tombstone only has a minor role. Fans were excited to learn that Marvin Jones III would be playing the crime boss in Brand New Day, and some were hoping it would be part of a larger narrative featuring Spider-Man and the Punisher taking down organized crime. Even if Tombstone isn’t the main focus, he could still play a key part in Peter’s story. A sequence following an emotionally fractured Spider-Man ruthlessly pursuing a crime boss could illustrate how the friendly neighborhood hero has embraced a darker nature, holding nothing back. Another possibility is Tombstone and Scorpion are part of the rumored montage that depicts various villains Spider-Man has faced since No Way Home, though that could be divisive since both rogues are more than capable of carrying a film on their shoulders.

The tease of a mysterious female shapeshifter is fascinating. This could be another one to add to the list of characters Sadie Sink could be playing. Marvel has been open to tweaking source material in adaptations before, so the filmmakers could definitely run with a gender-swapped Chameleon, who’s likely the first character who comes to mind upon hearing “shapeshifter.” Sink’s role has remained under wraps since she was cast, suggesting Marvel has plans for a major reveal at some point. That could explain why Rocha isn’t at liberty to share the identity of the actor playing the villain. Marvel, of course, likes to be in control when it comes to information rollout, and it’ll be interesting to see who Sink ultimately plays.