‘Spider-Man 4’ Likely Won’t Be a “Street-Level” Story — and the Reason Why is Clear”
“Spider-Man 4” is the upcoming installment in the Spider-Man series within the MCU. The movie was confirmed to be in development last year, with Tom Holland and Zendaya set to reprise their roles. According to industry insiders, there have been discussions since before official development began about whether the film would take a multiversal approach or focus on a street-level story.
A street-level story would have pitted Spider-Man against Kingpin, with a potential appearance by Daredevil — an idea that many fans embraced, especially with “Daredevil: Born Again” being the next major project for Disney+.
However, recent rumors suggest a different direction. Reports indicate that Kingpin has been written out, and the movie is now set to return to a Multiversal storyline. This shift is said to have been influenced by the introduction of Doctor Doom into the MCU, following unexpected changes triggered by Majors’ firing.
This decision has disappointed many fans, but it ultimately makes sense. It’s important to note that nothing has been officially confirmed—these ideas have mainly come from scoopers, leakers, and studio insiders.
Spider-Man has already ventured into the multiverse. The concept was first teased in “Far From Home” with Mysterio’s fake story, and then fully embraced in “No Way Home” with alternate Spider-Man variants. “No Way Home” was one of the most profitable films in the MCU, grossing $814.9 million in the United States and Canada and $1.112 billion internationally, for a total of $1.927 billion worldwide. Given its success and strong fan reception, there is little reason not to continue with this direction and the elements of fan service it includes.
Another reason “Spider-Man 4” is unlikely to be a street-level story is its planned release timing—between “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars.” Both of these films are expected to serve as the Multiverse saga’s finale, filled with numerous superheroes, variants, time travel, and reality-breaking events, especially if the “Time Runs Out” storyline is adapted as suspected. It’s clear that a street-level story would not fit well in the midst of such a multiversal climax, and maintaining narrative cohesion would be difficult.
Despite this, many fans are disappointed. They are eager for a more grounded Spider-Man story and, after the ending of “No Way Home,” hoped to see Peter Parker struggling—broke, lonely, and facing real-world challenges. They feel the multiverse concept has been overused and lacks stakes, making the stories less meaningful. Some believe that returning to the multiverse so soon after “No Way Home” might dilute its impact and appeal. Overall, there’s a strong desire for simpler, character-driven stories rather than complex, multidimensional plots.
If the rumors are true, a street-level Spider-Man story may not happen just yet. What do you think? Do you prefer a street-level or multiversal Spider-Man? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
