Mark Ruffalo is set to reprise his role as Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk, in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The Sony/Marvel collaboration will see Ruffalo joining Tom Holland, marking his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) 14 years after he first appeared in “The Avengers.”
Ruffalo’s involvement had been the subject of speculation for months, but his return was only confirmed recently as the script finalized and production began gearing up. Filming for “Brand New Day” is scheduled to start this month in England.
Adding more star power, Michael Mando will also be returning as Mac Gargan, better known as the villain Scorpion. Mando originally portrayed the character in 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” which was the first installment of the Tom Holland-led Spider-Man series.
Holland’s Spider-Man films have consistently paired him with veteran MCU characters. Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man appeared in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury was featured in “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange played a central role in “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This recurring format echoes Marvel’s classic “Marvel Team-Up” comics from the 1970s and 1980s, where Spider-Man would partner with different heroes in each issue.
However, “Brand New Day” seems to be raising the stakes even further. Jon Bernthal is confirmed to reprise his role as Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher. This marks the Punisher’s first appearance in an MCU feature film and his first big-screen portrayal since 2008’s “Punisher: War Zone,” where the late Ray Stevenson played the character.
Plot details for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” are being tightly guarded, but sources suggest that fans can expect Spider-Man, Punisher, and Hulk to initially clash before inevitably teaming up against a greater threat, following a classic Marvel narrative structure.
Sony and Marvel have declined to comment on the casting news and plot details. However, the returning talent and character lineup suggest the movie is set to be a major ensemble event.
The film is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” Script duties are once again handled by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, who have penned the previous Spider-Man films starring Holland. The release date for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is currently set for July 31, 2026.
Ruffalo has been a staple of the MCU since taking over the role of Hulk in 2012’s “The Avengers.” His character has appeared in several major Marvel films, including “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.” He most recently appeared in the Disney+ series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” and made a cameo in Cretton’s “Shang-Chi.”
Michael Mando is widely recognized for his role as Nacho Varga in the acclaimed series “Better Call Saul.” He has also appeared in the sci-fi thriller “Orphan Black,” further showcasing his versatility as an actor. His return as Scorpion has been long-awaited by fans eager to see the character take on a larger role in the Spider-Man franchise.
Ruffalo is represented by UTA and Lighthouse Management and Media, while Mando is repped by UTA and Underground.
With production about to begin and a stacked cast of beloved characters, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is shaping up to be a significant addition to the MCU, promising action-packed sequences and character-driven drama that fans have come to expect.
Stay tuned as more details about the film are expected to emerge in the coming months.
