The MCU just got greener—and meaner.
Big news has shaken the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fandom. According to industry reports, The Hulk is set to smash his way back into theaters in 2026, this time in a Spider-Man film. Yes, you read that right: Mark Ruffalo is reportedly returning as Bruce Banner/The Hulk for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, one of Marvel and Sony’s most highly anticipated projects of the coming year.
Let’s break down everything we know about this epic crossover, from confirmed cast to potential villains, teaser footage, set leaks, and the future of Ruffalo’s Hulk in the MCU.
The Return of The Hulk: Mark Ruffalo Joins Spider-Man’s Next Big Chapter
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, Ruffalo will reprise his role as Bruce Banner for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, although neither Marvel Studios nor Sony Pictures have confirmed the news officially. Still, multiple industry insiders are backing the claim, and it aligns with the MCU’s recent strategy of interconnecting characters across franchise lines.
If confirmed, this will be Ruffalo’s first appearance as Hulk since 2022’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney+, where he played a mentor role to Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany). While that show gave us a more peaceful, zen version of Smart Hulk, fans have long been yearning for a return to a more action-packed, world-smashing version of the character.
Something brand new is coming… #SpiderManDay pic.twitter.com/hfOxYiYszw
— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) August 1, 2025
What Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the upcoming sequel to Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), although it appears to be steering the franchise in a new direction. Set for release on July 31, 2026, the film marks Tom Holland’s fourth solo outing as Peter Parker under Sony and Marvel’s shared rights agreement.
While the title nods to the Brand New Day comic book storyline—where Peter Parker’s life resets after a deal with Mephisto—early reports suggest the film is taking only loose inspiration from that arc. Instead, it looks to blend grounded crime-fighting with larger-scale, multiverse-tied consequences.
Hulk and Spider-Man: Why This Team-Up Matters
Spider-Man and The Hulk haven’t shared much screen time in the MCU. They briefly crossed paths in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, but a full-on team-up between the brains and brawn of the Marvel universe is something fans have long anticipated.
Here’s why their alliance could be crucial in Brand New Day:
- Smart Hulk and Scientific Peter Parker: With Bruce Banner’s intellect and Peter Parker’s genius-level problem-solving skills, the duo could form one of the most scientifically competent partnerships in the MCU.
- Physical Firepower: With Hulk by his side, Spider-Man can tackle more physically dominant enemies like Scorpion or Mister Negative’s Inner Demons gang.
- Foreshadowing Bigger Events: Hulk’s inclusion might serve as a setup for the larger conflict brewing in Avengers: Doomsday, due out in late 2026.
Returning Cast: Who’s Confirmed for Brand New Day?
The casting for Spider-Man: Brand New Day is already shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Here’s who we know is confirmed:
- Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker / Spider-Man. After the world forgot his identity at the end of No Way Home, this new chapter is set to explore Peter’s more isolated, underground version of Spider-Man.
- Zendaya reprises her role as MJ, although her relationship with Peter is now reset. Expect emotional complexity as Peter navigates life knowing she no longer remembers their history.
- Jacob Batalon returns as Ned Leeds, another character who had his memory wiped. Will he befriend Peter again? Or perhaps turn into the Hobgoblin, as fans have speculated for years?
Michael Mando Returns as Scorpion
One of the biggest villain-related surprises comes in the form of Michael Mando, who is reportedly reprising his role as Mac Gargan, a.k.a. Scorpion. Fans last saw Gargan briefly in the post-credits scene of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), where he seemed intent on learning Spider-Man’s true identity.
His return raises interesting questions:
- Will he suit up as Scorpion? The character is long overdue for a full villain transformation.
- How will he fit into the bigger plot? Is he working solo, or part of a larger criminal organization like the Sinister Six?
Mister Negative Teased in Set Leaks?
Set photos leaked earlier this month revealed an armored truck with a red demon insignia—a symbol associated with Mister Negative and his criminal gang, The Inner Demons.
Who Is Mister Negative?
Mister Negative is the villainous alter ego of Martin Li, a philanthropist who runs a homeless shelter by day but transforms into a ruthless crime lord. His dual nature makes him a deeply compelling villain, and his powers—corruption touch and dark energy manipulation—would offer a formidable challenge to both Spidey and Hulk.
Mister Negative is best known to many fans through the Spider-Man PlayStation games by Insomniac, where he served as a major antagonist in the 2018 title.
If he appears in Brand New Day, it would mark his live-action debut.
Newcomers: Sadie Sink and Jon Bernthal
- Sadie Sink, best known for her breakout role as Max in Stranger Things, has joined the cast in an undisclosed role. Fan theories range from Gwen Stacy to Felicia Hardy (Black Cat) or even a new MCU original character.
- Jon Bernthal is officially back as Frank Castle / The Punisher. After making waves in Daredevil and The Punisher on Netflix, Bernthal is re-entering the MCU fold. His gritty persona could act as a contrast to Peter’s idealism and Hulk’s suppressed rage.
Could This Be a Prelude to Avengers: Doomsday?
Many fans believe Brand New Day is being used as a narrative bridge to Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to release later in 2026. That film will reportedly see multiversal incursions and catastrophic consequences after the events of Loki Season 2, No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Could we see Spider-Man, Hulk, and Punisher form a street-level Avengers team to tackle threats while the multiverse unravels elsewhere? It’s possible. Marvel may be setting up dual narratives—cosmic and grounded—that eventually converge in Doomsday.
Spider-Man’s New Suit Teased
Sony dropped an 8-second teaser trailer on August 1, offering fans a glimpse of Spider-Man’s new suit. The video didn’t show any action sequences, characters, or plot hints—just a slick zoom-in on the detailed, high-tech design of Spidey’s latest costume.
The suit appears to mix elements from the Iron Spider design with more traditional red-and-blue aesthetics. Could it be something Bruce Banner helped design?
What About She-Hulk?
While Ruffalo’s Hulk is returning, fans are wondering: will Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, also make an appearance? As of now, Tatiana Maslany is not confirmed to be in Brand New Day, and there’s been little buzz about a She-Hulk Season 2.
Still, given her connection to Banner and the events of She-Hulk, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her pop up—especially if Hulk is being re-integrated into more MCU projects.
Key Plot Speculations
Though Marvel hasn’t confirmed plot details, based on the title and character roster, fans are speculating the following:
- Peter must stop Mister Negative and Scorpion, both of whom are rising in power amid New York’s fractured criminal underworld.
- Hulk returns to investigate gamma tech or is pulled into the fight while chasing his own mysterious agenda.
- The Punisher operates in the shadows, possibly helping Peter take down a corrupt arm of law enforcement working with villains.
- MJ and Ned may slowly regain their memories, hinting at the emotional arc being restored from No Way Home.
When Does Spider-Man: Brand New Day Release?
Mark your calendars! Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. Production is currently ramping up, and more announcements are expected over the coming months, including:
- Official confirmation of Ruffalo’s involvement
- First-look trailers and posters
- Details about Sadie Sink’s character
- Full plot synopsis
Final Thoughts: Hulk and Spidey’s Smash Hit Duo?
Mark Ruffalo’s return as The Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day has the potential to be one of the MCU’s most exciting crossovers to date. It opens the door to thrilling action sequences, powerful character dynamics, and perhaps the beginning of a new street-level Avengers lineup.
As Marvel continues to evolve post-Endgame, unexpected team-ups like this one may be the key to keeping fans engaged and the storytelling fresh.
Stay tuned—this brand new day could change everything for the MCU.