Marvel fans have plenty to be excited about in 2026, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiering on July 31. The fourth Spider-Man movie in Tom Holland’s series has been quietly building hype in the background, and the latest rumors only fueled the hype. According to new information from an unlikely source, the film might feature three main villains: Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tombstone. Now, let’s break down what we know so far, what the leaks suggest, and what we can anticipate in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
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Leaks from Disney’s Consumer Products Event Spark Buzz
The leak began from the Instagram account of Chris Higashi (@trusthigashi), who says he attended Disney’s 2025 Blockbuster Consumer Products Presentation in Las Vegas. Higashi says the presentation included preview content of upcoming Disney properties such as Toy Story 5, Moana, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Higashi posted a photo captioned:
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tombstone. ‘Nuff Said. 2026 looks awesome!”
Even though the post was removed within hours of posting, fans and insiders quickly questioned its authenticity. While no mainstream media reported on the leak, it fits in with other accurate scoops from the same event, such as Disney and Formula 1’s deal and Conan O’Brien’s casting in Toy Story 5.
To add some extra fuel to the rumor, several online insiders have reportedly confirmed the return of Michael Mando as Mac Gargan (Scorpion). His character was teased in the post-credits scene of Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Meet the Villains: Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tombstone
If these rumors are true, Brand New Day may bring a street-level, down-to-earth tone to the franchise, away from the multiverse chaos of No Way Home.
Scorpion (Mac Gargan)
Originally appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #20 (1965), Mac Gargan was a private investigator who was transformed into the Scorpion. This happens when he undergoes a dangerous experiment that makes him superstrong and provides him with a scorpion-like suit.
In the comics, the experiment, funded by J. Jonah Jameson, ultimately made him insane and led him to have a huge grudge against Jameson and Spider-Man. His cameo in Homecoming might be the beginning of greater things to come.
Tombstone (Lonnie Lincoln)
Tombstone is a lesser-used but interesting villain. As a Harlem-born crime lord with albinism, his past was spent being bullied and betrayed. After being exposed to a chemical compound known as Diox-3, he gained superhuman strength and durability. While he hasn’t headlined most of the traditional Spider-Man stories, his gritty demeanor and imposing presence could be the perfect fit for a grounded MCU project.
Boomerang (Fred Myers)
Former baseball player and killer, Fred Myers, aka Boomerang, employs a collection of trick boomerangs in battle. He’s been a member of teams such as the Sinister Six and the Superior Foes of Spider-Man. But has also taken on the role of anti-hero in more modern comics, even sharing an apartment with Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man (issues #440-441, published in 1998). His addition might bring some humor and characterization to the film.
Is ‘The Superior Foes of Spider-Man’ the Inspiration?
The fact that all three of these characters are appearing in the film has caused many fans to believe that the film may be based on “The Superior Foes of Spider-Man” comic book series (2013–2015). That series, told from the villains’ point of view, featured a team of mid-tier villains attempting to rise through the ranks of New York City villains.
Although a direct adaptation of that storyline appears doubtful, the character dynamic and balance of humor to grit it offered could determine the film’s tone. With Brand New Day possibly going back to street-level roots, this inspiration would feel right at home.
What to Expect from Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton will be sitting in the director’s seat. The script is being written again by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. This one will feature Tom Holland reprising the role of Peter Parker, along with Zendaya, Sadie Sink, and Liza Colón-Zayas in unspecified roles.
The title of the film, Brand New Day, is not an accident. In the comics, the “Brand New Day” storyline came after the extremely controversial One More Day epic, where Peter gives up his marriage to Mary Jane to save Aunt May. It was then followed by a soft reboot of sorts, where Peter is still single, not employed at the Daily Bugle, and a fresh crop of villains.
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The MCU adaptation won’t necessarily explore supernatural elements, but the idea of Peter rebooting after No Way Home, where everyone just forgets he ever existed, is thematically on point. Without any Avengers crossover, no Tony Stark, and no multiverse drama looming over his head, this could be a return to the basics: a young adult attempting to get through college, a secret life, and the everyday necessities of being a superhero.
Final Thoughts: Back to Classic Spider-Man?
While none of this has been officially released from Sony or Marvel yet, all signs point to Spider-Man: Brand New Day possibly offering a more realistic, character-based storytelling. If the list of rumored villains holds true, fans might be treated to a return to the underdog mentality that made Homecoming work.
Following the high-stakes spectacle of No Way Home, a modest, intimate story, with villains that reflect Peter’s street-level worries, might be exactly what the MCU’s Spider-Man needs. Whether or not there are guest appearances by Daredevil or other familiar faces in the works is uncertain, but one thing feels certain: The neighborhood Spider-Man might finally be back in the neighborhood.
