‘Spider-Man 4’ Set Photo Teases Return of Beloved Fan-Favorite Character

A new set photo from Spider-Man: Brand New Day has fans buzzing with excitement. Culture Crave shared a behind-the-scenes image on X showing Tom Holland in his updated Spider-Man suit alongside Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, who played MJ and Ned in the original Spider-Man trilogy.

Batalon’s MIT t-shirt hints that Ned is still attending the university, sparking speculation about his role in the upcoming film.

Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon on the set of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' 🕸️ pic.twitter.com/4mCj96JqN1

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) September 11, 2025

Given how central MJ and Ned were in the previous Spider-Man movies, it’s no surprise they are returning in some form. Fans and critics alike are curious to see how the filmmakers handle their involvement, as the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home was a key emotional moment that highlighted Peter Parker’s sense of responsibility.

Any storylines that undo that conclusion could undercut the impact of his arc.

Jacob Batalon has teased the possibility of exploring a villainous path, saying, “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 also clarified that he isn’t sure if he will appear in the movie at all.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton with a screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.

The film stars Tom Holland as Spider-Man, with Zendaya, Batalon, Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Mando, and Tramell Tillman. Co-produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios and distributed by Sony Pictures, it will be the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the fourth Spider-Man film in the Holland-led series.

Sony began developing the fourth Spider-Man film alongside No Way Home in 2019. Producer Amy Pascal confirmed in 2021 that the project would kick off a new trilogy for Holland’s Spider-Man. McKenna and Sommers returned as writers, and Cretton was hired as director in 2024. Filming started in August 2025 in Scotland, with additional work at Pinewood Studios in England.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to release in the U.S. on July 31, 2026, as part of Phase Six of the MCU.

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