Punisher and – As Spider-Man: Brand New Day prepares to hit theaters this summer, Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures are unveiling fresh faces alongside major returns—starting with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, Zendaya’s MJ, Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce
For summer moviegoers, the promise is simple: when Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives, it won’t just continue the story—it will reshape it.
Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures are bringing back familiar characters while introducing new ones for the big screen. and the cast list reads like a jolt to the timeline. Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man and Peter Parker, fresh off the fallout from Spider-Man: No Way Home. That film ended with Dr. Strange casting a spell to erase any memory of Peter Parker from the whole world. In this version, Peter is more isolated—forced to rebuild his life without the support system he once had.
Holland isn’t the only returning star. Zendaya reprises her role as Michelle “MJ” Jones-Watson. and the emotional weight is immediate: her memory of him has been erased too. Yet MJ remains the grounded, witty presence fans remember, and the possibility of her rediscovering Peter is already fueling anticipation.
Jacob Batalon is also back as Ned Leeds, another key figure in Peter’s life—only this time, he also no longer remembers him. In the previous films, Ned was the comic relief audiences adored, and his return lands at a point where Peter’s world feels smaller, colder, and harder to navigate.
The cast brings a different kind of darkness, too. Jon Bernthal is set to appear as Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher. The role is described as a ruthless vigilante driven by vengeance, and his inclusion points toward a darker, more action-heavy tone for the film.
Bernthal isn’t a newcomer to the character, either. He previously portrayed the Punisher in Marvel’s Netflix series The Punisher and Daredevil. His resume also includes The Walking Dead, Ford v Ferrari, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Bear.
Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, and his presence adds another layer to the reshuffle. He appears to be a professor at the school Peter attends in the film. Ruffalo has played the Hulk since The Avengers. and outside of Marvel he’s known for Spotlight. Foxcatcher. and The Kids Are All Right. along with multiple Academy Award nominations.
Another familiar face is coming back: Michael Mando reprises his role as Mac Gargan, last seen in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In Brand New Day, his character is expected to become the villain Scorpion—an established, classic vengeful adversary for Spider-Man.
New casting also widens the possibilities. Sadie Sink has joined the cast in an undisclosed role, with speculation pointing toward her playing Jean Grey, a powerful mutant from the X-Men universe. If the rumor holds, it would mean a major expansion of mutants into the MCU.
Tramell Tillman plays a character named Bill, though details about his role remain under wraps—leaving open the question of whether he’s a new ally or an antagonist tied to Peter’s world.
Keith David joins the cast in a mystery role as well. His long-running career spans decades, including The Thing, They Live, and Platoon, and he’s also a renowned voice actor known for projects like Spawn and The Princess and the Frog.
Liza Colón-Zayas rounds out the list with an undisclosed role. The Bear fans, in particular, are watching closely—she recently gained major attention for an Emmy-winning role in the Hulu series. Her past work includes In Treatment and numerous stage productions.
Taken together. the casting choices tell a story of strain and collision: Peter is rebuilding in a world that doesn’t remember him. while returning allies and love interest sit behind the same erasure—and. in the middle of that reset. the Punisher and Scorpion point toward danger that doesn’t wait for anyone to catch their breath.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Tom Holland Zendaya Jon Bernthal Punisher Mark Ruffalo Hulk Jacob Batalon Ned Leeds Sadie Sink Jean Grey Michael Mando Scorpion Marvel Studios Sony Pictures