The MCU is finally letting Peter Parker be the “friendly neighborhood” hero we’ve been craving since 2016. Gone are the high-tech nanotech suits and space battles; in their place is a gritty, lived-in New York City that feels as diverse and complex as the real thing.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the fourth solo outing for Tom Holland is leaning heavily into a “Brand New Day” for the character. The newly leaked Spider-Man: Brand New Day promo art confirms that the film is ditching the “Iron Man Jr.” vibes for a street-level aesthetic that honors the comics while pushing for a more authentic, inclusive vision of NYC.
The Villains: Scorpion’s Evolution and a Comic-Accurate Boomerang
The most exciting takeaway from the leaked HD art is the long-overdue return of Michael Mando as Mac Gargan, aka The Scorpion. Since his brief appearance in Spider-Man: Homecoming, fans have been begging to see Mando suit up. The new art shows a radical departure from the classic “green suit” tropes. Instead, Gargan wears a modular, mechanical tail powered by hydraulics, draped over rugged street clothes.
It’s a design that feels like a “prototype” developed in the shadows of a city under the thumb of Mayor Wilson Fisk. Most notably, the mask appears to have been dropped, allowing Mando’s intense performance to take center stage. This “incision” into the character—focusing on the man rather than just the suit—is a hallmark of Cretton’s directing style.
But Gargan isn’t alone. The art also reveals a 100% comic-accurate Boomerang. Clad in the iconic purple-and-white mask from Nick Spencer’s Superior Foes of Spider-Man, this character is a fan-favorite for a reason. Rumors suggest that Harry Holland (Tom’s brother) might be playing the role, bringing a fun, meta-layer to the production. Seeing a villain that actually looks like he stepped off a 2012 comic cover is a breath of fresh air for MCU purists.
The last villain reveals is Tarantula, who in the comics is better known as Anton Miguel Rodriguez. A 1970s South American mercenary and mercenary villain who acted as a fascist, evil mirror image of Captain America. No word on whether this backstory will carry into Brand New Day or who will be slipping the black mask on.
The Hulk’s “Savage” Return: Green or Grey?
Perhaps the most shocking element of the Spider-Man: Brand New Day promo art is the figure looming in the background. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is back, but he doesn’t look like the “Smart Hulk” we saw sipping lattes in She-Hulk.
The stance is wider, the brow is heavier, and the energy is decidedly more aggressive. Insiders like Daniel Richtman have suggested that this could be the MCU’s version of Grey Hulk (Joe Fixit), which would fit perfectly into a movie dealing with organized crime and NYC’s underbelly. Whether he’s grey or simply a revert to the “Savage” green form, it signals that the time for polite Bruce Banner is over. Having a powerhouse like the Hulk operate in a street-level setting alongside Jon Bernthal’s Punisher suggests a massive tonal shift for the franchise.
Representation and the “Neighborhood”: Why This Cast Matters
The true strength of Brand New Day lies in its commitment to a cast that reflects the world we see in 2026. One of the most beautiful things about Spider-Man is that the mask allows everyone to see themselves in the hero, but the “neighborhood” itself should also be a mirror.
By centering the story in a post-Fisk New York, Cretton is able to pull from a remarkably diverse pool of talent. The inclusion of Eman Esfandi (breakout star of Ahsoka) is a prime example. While some rumors suggest he’s playing “Paul”—a name that strikes fear and frustration into the hearts of comic readers—the casting of a Middle Eastern actor in a central romantic-rival role is a powerful move. It breaks the traditional “love triangle” mold and allows for a more global narrative.
Furthermore, having Michael Mando (of Mexican-Canadian descent), Marvin Jones III (Tombstone), and Liza Colón-Zayas in the mix ensures that Peter’s New York feels like the actual melting pot it is. Ultimately, the world should see themselves in film, and for a long time, the “Queens” represented in movies felt a little too sanitized. Brand New Day seems determined to show the grit, the culture, and the reality of the city.
The Joe Keery / Harry Osborn Connection
We can’t talk about Brand New Day without addressing the hair in the room. Joe Keery (Stranger Things) has been the subject of intense fan-casting for Harry Osborn. In a recent interview, Keery joked, “I am familiar with Spider-Man,” and expressed a clear interest in the role.
While the promo art doesn’t explicitly show Harry, the “soft reboot” of the MCU’s timeline following No Way Home leaves the door wide open. If Peter is truly alone, introducing a version of Harry that exists in this universe—rather than a multiversal visitor—is the logical next step. Keery’s ability to balance “best friend energy” with a looming darkness makes him the ideal choice to reinvent the Osborn legacy for a new generation.
Street-Level Stakes: Mayor Fisk and the Anti-Vigilante Law
While the promo art focuses on the physical threats, the “villain” of the movie is likely the law itself. Following the events of Echo and Daredevil: Born Again, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is now the Mayor of New York. His first order of business? Outlawing costumed vigilantes.
This puts Peter in the ultimate underdog position. He’s not just fighting a guy with a scorpion tail; he’s fighting a system that has labeled him a criminal. This is where the Spider-Man: Brand New Day promo art truly shines—it captures the “shadowy” nature of a hero who has to operate in the darkness. It’s a story about identity, sacrifice, and finding a sense of community when you’ve been stripped of everything.
Is the Neighborhood Ready for the Reset?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be the most “Peter Parker” movie we’ve ever seen. By stripping away the tech and the billionaire mentors, Marvel is forcing Peter to grow up in a world that is complicated, diverse, and often unfair.
The leaked art gives us a glimpse into a film that respects its comic book roots while having the courage to evolve. Whether it’s the hydraulic tail of Michael Mando’s Scorpion or the aggressive return of the Hulk, the stakes have never felt more physical—or more personal.
What do you think of Scorpion’s new look? Is the hydraulic tail a “win,” or were you hoping for a more comic-accurate green suit? And most importantly: How do we feel about the Eman Esfandi/Paul rumors? Let’s get into it in the comments!
