The Cast Of Spider-Man: Brand New Day: Who’s In And Which Avengers Star Is Officially Back?

As of December 18, 2025, the conversation around the "Spider-Man 3 cast" has officially shifted. While Spider-Man: No Way Home is the official third film in the Tom Holland trilogy, the focus now is entirely on the upcoming fourth installment, tentatively titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This next chapter promises a completely new status quo for Peter Parker, and with it comes a fresh, yet familiar, cast that includes some major surprises from the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The next Spider-Man movie is slated for a July 31, 2026, release and is already generating massive buzz, not just for its plot—which follows the world forgetting Peter Parker—but for its blend of returning favorites and unexpected Marvel heroes joining the fray. From the core trio to a confirmed Avenger and a fan-favorite Netflix anti-hero, here is the most comprehensive and up-to-date look at the confirmed and heavily rumored cast for the next big-screen adventure.

The Core Trio and Returning MCU Mainstays

The foundation of the next Spider-Man story rests on the shoulders of the returning cast who have defined this era of the web-slinger. Their profiles are now uniquely altered following the events of No Way Home, where a powerful spell caused the world to forget Peter Parker's existence.

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Tom Holland (Peter Parker / Spider-Man)

• Role: Peter Parker / Spider-Man
• Biography: Born on June 1, 1996, in Kingston upon Thames, England. Holland is a dancer and actor who rose to global fame as the third live-action cinematic Spider-Man, debuting in Captain America: Civil War (2016).
• Status: Confirmed to return. His character is now isolated, operating as a solo hero in New York City, a major thematic shift for the character.

Zendaya (Michelle Jones-Watson / MJ)

• Role: Michelle Jones-Watson (MJ)
• Biography: Born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Zendaya is an Emmy-winning actress, singer, and producer, best known for her roles in the Disney Channel, the Spider-Man films, and the HBO series Euphoria.
• Status: Confirmed to return. Due to the spell, MJ no longer remembers Peter Parker, setting up a heartbreaking reunion or a new dynamic for their relationship.

Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds)

• Role: Ned Leeds
• Biography: Born on October 23, 1996, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Batalon is a Filipino-American actor who gained recognition as Peter Parker’s best friend and "guy in the chair" in the MCU trilogy.
• Status: Confirmed to return. Like MJ, Ned's memory of Peter is gone, meaning the dynamic between the former best friends will be entirely new, potentially even introducing Ned's comic book destiny as the Hobgoblin, though this is unconfirmed.

Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner / Hulk)

• Role: Bruce Banner / Hulk
• Status: Confirmed to return. This is a massive addition, suggesting a new mentor role for Peter Parker, replacing the void left by Tony Stark and Doctor Strange. His inclusion hints at a cosmic or scientific threat that requires an Avenger's expertise.

Surprising New Faces and Marvel Crossovers

The next chapter is set to deepen Peter Parker’s connection to the street-level heroes of the MCU and introduce fresh talent, expanding the topical authority of the Spider-Man universe. The director, Destin Daniel Cretton (known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), is expected to bring a grounded yet grand cinematic vision.

Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle / The Punisher)

One of the most exciting rumors that has gained significant traction is the return of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher. Bernthal previously played the character in the Netflix Marvel series. His inclusion would signal a darker, more mature tone for Peter Parker's next challenge, possibly involving the criminal underworld of New York City. While not officially confirmed by Marvel, the persistent reports make this a highly anticipated entity.

Sadie Sink (Undisclosed Role)

Star of Stranger Things, actress Sadie Sink is a name that has been consistently linked to the new cast. Rumors suggest she could be playing a new love interest or a major new character in Peter’s life. Her casting would represent a significant injection of fresh talent and appeal to a younger audience, adding another layer of intrigue to the film's ensemble.

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The Creative Team: A Brand New Direction

The next film is being written by the returning duo Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, ensuring narrative continuity. However, the new director, Destin Daniel Cretton, is a major change. Cretton is known for balancing high-octane action with deep emotional core, suggesting that Brand New Day will be an emotionally resonant story focused on Peter rebuilding his life from scratch.

The Definitive Cast of Spider-Man: No Way Home (The Official 'Spider-Man 3')

To fully address the original query for the "Spider-Man 3 cast," it is essential to remember the massive ensemble that made Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) a cinematic event. This cast list is crucial for understanding the current status quo of the MCU’s multiverse and Peter Parker’s journey.

The film’s central conceit involved Doctor Strange’s botched spell, which brought characters from other universes into the MCU, leading to an unprecedented crossover event. The core cast included:

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• Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man
• Zendaya as Michelle 'MJ' Jones
• Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange
• Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds
• Jon Favreau as Harold "Happy" Hogan
• Marisa Tomei as May Parker
• Benedict Wong as Wong

The Multiverse Villains and Heroes

The film's topical authority was cemented by the return of numerous fan-favorite actors from previous, non-MCU Spider-Man franchises. These entities were the heart of the "Spider-Man 3" event:

• Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man (from the Sam Raimi trilogy)
• Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker / Spider-Man (from The Amazing Spider-Man films)
• Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn / Green Goblin (from Spider-Man, 2002)
• Alfred Molina as Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus (from Spider-Man 2, 2004)
• Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon / Electro (from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, 2014)
• Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko / Sandman (from Spider-Man 3, 2007)
• Rhys Ifans as Curt Connors / Lizard (from The Amazing Spider-Man, 2012)

This massive, interconnected cast solidified No Way Home as the true culmination of the Tom Holland trilogy, but the next film, Brand New Day, is clearly focused on moving forward with a smaller, more intimate cast, while still leveraging major MCU crossover characters like the Hulk and The Punisher.

What 'Brand New Day' Means for Peter Parker and the Cast

The title Spider-Man: Brand New Day itself is a reference to a major 2008 comic book storyline where the world also forgot Spider-Man's true identity. This new film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, will follow a Peter Parker who is truly alone—no MJ, no Ned, no Avengers to call for help, and no mentor figure like Tony Stark. The confirmed cast of Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk suggests that Peter will eventually find a new connection, perhaps a mentor who can help him navigate the complexities of being a forgotten hero in a world that desperately needs him.

The blending of the core returning cast (Holland, Zendaya, Batalon) with powerful new entities like Mark Ruffalo and the rumored Jon Bernthal is a clear signal that Marvel is raising the stakes. The next film will be a street-level story with massive MCU consequences, making the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day the most anticipated ensemble since the Multiverse saga began. Fans are eager to see how the new director and writers handle the chemistry of the core trio now that their shared history has been erased by magic, and how new characters will fill the emotional and narrative voids.