Marvel fans, brace yourselves. At long last, it’s official. Punisher and Hulk will appear alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This exciting development follows months of speculation. The rumors began after an artist accidentally uploaded concept art of Hulk and Spider-Man together on ArtStation. Moreover, the inclusion of these two iconic characters signals a major tonal shift for the franchise. Consequently, fans can expect a fresh blend of street-level intensity and super-powered clashes.
Why Marvel Is Bringing Punisher and Hulk Into Spider-Man’s Story
During a recent interview, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige shed light on why now is the right time for these characters to enter the Spider-Man universe. According to Feige, the upcoming film will shift away from global stakes and instead focus on Peter Parker’s street-level life.
“I think there’s a promise at the end of No Way Home, that for as sad as it is that Peter is forgotten by everyone in his life, we are seeing for the first time in the Tom Holland Spider-Man stories him being a proper Spider-Man,” Feige said.
“Him being by himself, dedicated to saving the city, and dealing with — for lack of better terms — street-level crime, as opposed to world-ending events.”
With the inclusion of Punisher and Hulk, Marvel adds layers of complexity to this grounded narrative. They are powerful in different ways. Additionally, they represent opposing approaches to justice—something that could, in turn, create tension with Spider-Man’s ideals.
How Punisher and Hulk Fit Into This Street-Level Story
At first glance, this crossover might seem unexpected, especially given Hulk’s larger-than-life presence. Nevertheless, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that this dynamic lineup is intentional.
“The plot details are being kept under the vest, but you can bet that, in the mighty Marvel manner, Spider-Man, Punisher and Hulk will all fight one another before figuring out who the real bad guys are.”
Furthermore, this setup aligns with Marvel’s tradition of turning initial conflict into eventual collaboration. In the same vein, Punisher and Hulk offer the perfect blend of chaos and grit, ultimately challenging Spider-Man both physically and morally.
Kevin Feige Confirms Comic Influence
In addition, Feige also revealed that director Destin Daniel Cretton is taking heavy inspiration from classic Marvel comics. Specifically, he’s reportedly using eight or nine vintage covers as visual references on set—many of which feature Punisher and Spider-Man crossing paths for the first time.
“So when you do that, you say, okay, who are the other street-level characters that we’ve never seen him interact with?
And of course, I love that The Punisher started in a Spider-Man comic. That great cover… I don’t want to say too much, but Destin — I will say too much — Destin is doing an amazing job right now on that movie, which starts shooting very soon.
And he’s got eight or nine comic covers up on his wall in his art department that he is bringing to life in this movie, which is super cool.”
Notably, this subtle nod to the comics honors Punisher’s origin, as he originally debuted in a Spider-Man comic. At the same time, Hulk’s presence brings raw power and unpredictable energy into an otherwise grounded setting.
Tom Holland Teases Punisher and Hulk Dynamic
When asked about working with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Tom Holland remained tight-lipped.
“You gotta wait and see, mate,”
He said with a grin on set. As expected, his teasing response only adds to the anticipation surrounding how these three distinct personalities will interact.
Scorpion Returns to Raise the Stakes
To heighten the excitement even further, Michael Mando will reprise his role as Scorpion, a character last seen briefly in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Mando recently confirmed his return via a cryptic social media post that read: “st!ng.”
As a result, this returning villain, combined with Punisher and Hulk, elevates the film’s tension and adds multiple layers of threat to Peter Parker’s already complicated life.
At this point, production has officially begun, with filming taking place in Scotland and at Pinewood Studios in England. Looking ahead, with a July 31, 2026, release date, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s most talked-about Phase 6 entries.
The combination of Punisher and Hulk with a street-level Spider-Man arc promises to deliver a fresh and thrilling cinematic experience that stands apart from previous entries in the franchise.
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