Spider-Man 4: First Clues About Sadie Sink's Role

News from "Spider-Man: Brand New Day"! For the first time, "Stranger Things" star Sadie Sink was spotted on set in Basingstoke, England – sparking new speculation about her role.

Fans have been guessing for months who Sadie Sink might play in "Brand New Day". Until now, many assumed she would portray a classic role like Gwen Stacy or Mary Jane Watson – two key figures in Peter Parker's life. However, unofficial photos from the set show the actress wearing camouflage pants and rugged boots – a look that doesn't quite fit Gwen or MJ. Some fans believe this outfit points to a completely different character: namely Rachel Cole-Alves.

In the comics, Rachel is a former soldier who becomes an uncompromising crime fighter after a tragic loss. Together with the Punisher, she wages a merciless war against organized crime – often using the same symbols and methods. This theory fits especially well since Jon Bernthal is also appearing as the Punisher in the new "Spider-Man" movie.

In any case, "Spider-Man 4" is said to shift its focus back to the streets of New York City – that is, to the world of so-called "street-level" heroes like Daredevil. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" swings into theaters on July 31, 2026 – by then, we will definitely know more!

Spider-Man 4: A New Beginning for the Iconic Hero

Hardly any other film has sparked as much discussion in recent months as "Spider-Man 4": Numerous leaks and casting news have stirred up plenty of conversation. It looks as though the new movie won't just be action-packed, but will also mark the beginning of an entirely new era for Spider-Man.

The ending of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" was a massive cliffhanger: No one remembers Peter Parker anymore – not even his closest friends MJ and Ned. This is exactly where "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" will pick up.

The movie's title is a direct reference to a famous comic book storyline from 2008. It was a hard reset following "One More Day", one of the most hated comic stories of all time. That story also revolved around the death of Aunt May and an altered reality that represented a kind of new beginning for Peter. For example, his marriage to Mary Jane Watson was undone.

Film producer Amy Pascal has clearly outlined the direction for "Spider-Man 4" in interviews: The movie will explore the fact that Peter has decided to no longer be Peter Parker – but Spider-Man. That, she says, is the core of the film. Lead actor Tom Holland supports this direction. Quote:

"[...] it's going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I think the fans are going to be over the moon with what we're putting together."

The Cast: Spider-Man & the Punisher Against the Hulk

Of course, Tom Holland will reprise his role as Spider-Man – that's clear. However, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will probably only make brief appearances: Although both are involved, their roles are said to be very small. This is consistent with the fact that MJ and Ned no longer remember Peter – so a major revival of their friendship is unlikely.

The Punisher

The biggest news recently has arguably been the involvement of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, aka the Punisher. This marks his first appearance in a Marvel film, after previously playing the role in the "Daredevil" series and his own "The Punisher" series.

There is also a "Punisher" special in development for Disney+. We are hoping to get the first clues about his role in "Spider-Man 4" from this special. Jon Bernthal has already assured that it will deliver exactly what "Punisher" fans expect from the character.

His appearance in "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" promises a grittier tone that has not typically been associated with the films so far. While not much is known about the extent of his role yet, various insiders suggest that he will actually have a significant amount to do.

The Hulk

According to reports, Spider-Man and the Punisher are supposedly going up against a savage version of the Hulk. It is already known that Mark Ruffalo is part of the cast. But the actor most recently portrayed a more restrained version of the character. Speculation is already swirling about what could cause such a regression. One idea sounds particularly plausible: An appearance by crime boss Mr. Negative in "Spider-Man 4". This would align with casting reports pointing to an Asian actor. The production team is also said to have explored traditional shinobi and samurai clothing. The comic book villain would certainly have the power to reactivate the Hulk's savage side. As an antagonist, he also fits in well with the story's planned direction – but more on that later.

In this context, Hulk certainly offers good potential for a personal story: Bruce Banner could take on a mentor role for Peter early in the movie, much like Tony Stark once did – which would make a battle against the savage Hulk particularly dramatic.

Supporting Characters

With the appearance of the Punisher and the success of the series "Daredevil: Born Again", a return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock also seems quite likely. However, an official confirmation is still pending.

New to the cast is Sadie Sink, known from "Stranger Things". She has been cast in an as-yet-unknown role. There is speculation that she could play Jean Grey from the "X-Men" universe. After all, the famous mutants are set to be prominently introduced into the MCU with the upcoming Avengers films. Moreover, the next phase of the MCU is said to focus primarily on them. Other theories suggest Sadie Sink might take on the role of Mary Jane Watson or a new version of Gwen Stacy. So far, both characters have mainly featured in the films with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

Theatrical Release of Spider-Man 4 and the Future of the MCU

However, the release is still a year away: "Spider-Man 4: Brand New Day" is expected to be released in theaters on July 31, 2026. This is quite interesting in relation to the release of "Avengers: Doomsday". Following a postponement, it is now scheduled for December 18 of the same year. The storyline of "Spider-Man" is reportedly set to take place parallel to the events of "Doomsday".

It is therefore quite possible that Tom Holland's adventure will give us the first hints at the next Avengers film. At the same time, it fuels speculation that he will have little to no appearance in "Doomsday". However, that is expected to change by the time "Secret Wars" comes out: Kevin Feige has repeatedly emphasized that Spider-Man will continue to play a central role in the MCU.

According to Feige, fans of Miles Morales will need to be very patient: Rights holder Sony reportedly told him to stay away from the character – at least until the animated trilogy concludes with "Beyond the Spider-Verse" in 2027.