‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Character Reveal Teases the Grounded Story Fans Have Been Hoping For

Jon Bernthal is jumping back into the Marvel spotlight, but this time, it’s on the big screen. The actor is set to appear alongside Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the next entry in the Spider-Man franchise from Marvel and Sony. The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Bernthal, best known for playing the Punisher in Marvel’s Netflix shows, is bringing his hard-edged vigilante character into the theatrical Marvel Cinematic Universe. He starred in The Punisher for two seasons and made his first appearance in Daredevil.

Recently, he showed up again in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ and is confirmed to return for its second season. He’s also helping write a new solo Punisher movie for Disney+.

Filming for Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to start this summer in England. The film is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and is currently scheduled to release on July 31, 2026.

Details about the movie’s plot are still under wraps, but fan speculation has taken off. Online rumors suggest several villains could show up, including Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, Vulture, Scorpion, Knull, and possibly even multiple versions of the Hulk. While none of that is confirmed, the lineup hints at a large, action-packed story.

Some familiar faces are returning too. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are coming back as MJ and Ned, but their roles may be smaller this time. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink has also joined the cast, though her role is unknown.

The movie follows the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker erased the world’s memory of his identity as Spider-Man. With that reset in place, it opens the door to new storylines—and new allies or threats.

Adding the Punisher to the mix could signal a shift in tone. Known for his brutal and grounded style of justice, Frank Castle isn’t usually part of the high-flying, tech-heavy world of Spider-Man. He deals in close combat, not web-slinging or spells. Still, a crossover between their very different styles could make for an interesting twist.

When asked in the past about his return as the Punisher, Bernthal made one thing clear: “That was the one thing I couldn’t compromise on,” referring to keeping the character’s violent nature intact.

Bernthal and Holland actually go way back. They worked together on the movie Pilgrimage in 2017 and supported each other while auditioning for Marvel roles. “We actually helped each other film our audition tapes,” Bernthal once said.

Bringing the Punisher into a Spider-Man movie is a bold choice. The characters are so different, which could either clash or create something totally fresh. If Marvel finds the right balance between Spidey’s heart and humor and the Punisher’s darker edge, it might end up being one of the most unique Spider-Man stories yet. What do you think about this mix? Share your thoughts in the comments below!