Five years and a million speculations later, MCU’s Spider-Man has returned with a brand-new story, new heroes and villains, and a new-ish Peter Parker in Destin Daniel Cretton‘s Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The fourth installment in the MCU Spider-Man film series following Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day picks up four years after the events of the 2021 film, in which most of the world’s memories of Peter Parker were wiped, including those of Peter’s best friend, Ned, and his love interest, MJ, making him anonymous to almost everyone in his life.
In the latest film, Peter continues to protect New York City and investigates a powerful psychic threat on the rise while also navigating a strange new metamorphosis within himself. Since its premiere, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has garnered widespread acclaim for the stellar production, spectacular action, and mature character arcs, headlined by Tom Holland’s in-depth performance. The latest Spider-Man installment also earned praise for its stacked cast, featuring familiar faces and a major new addition. Without further ado, here’s our ranking of every major character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
11
Detective Jean DeWolff
Played by Liza Colón-Zayas
Image via FX
A gritty and grounded NYPD detective, Detective Jean DeWolff is a key ally to Spider-Man who makes her first appearance in Brand New Day. His primary contact in the police department, DeWolff helps fight crimes and keep the Big Apple safe. Alienated from his friends from the past, Peter finds a new friend in the detective, the closest to a mentor figure he has at the moment.
Emmy-winning star of The Bear, Liza Colón-Zayas portrays the character, playing a role in Peter’s life that has been popularly compared to that of Commissioner Gordon for Batman. Even though DeWolff does not know the person behind the mask, she feels concerned about Spidey’s obsession with his role in society and encourages the young vigilante to find balance in life.
10
William “Bill” Metzger
Played by Tramell Tillman
Images via Sony Pictures Releasing
Also appearing for the first time in Brand New Day, Bill Metzger is a new key character introduced into the MCU as a highly manipulative antagonist. The corrupt head of the Department of Damage Control, Metzger is in charge of policing superpowered individuals and exploits people’s fear of individuals with superpowers to target and control mutants.
After a breakout at the DODC facility caused by an invisible threat, Metzger recruits Spider-Man to investigate what only he can sense and is immune to. Played by the Emmy-winning Tramell Tillman, the character is adapted from the original comic books for the MCU, but the cinematic interpretation is very different from his comic book counterpart.
9
Scorpion
Played by Michael Mando
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
One of the villains in Brand New Day and one of Spidey’s numerous enemies, Scorpion, aka Mac Gargan, is a professional criminal who was captured by the FBI thanks to Spider-Man and has been seeking revenge ever since. In Brand New Day, Mac Gargan breaks out of prison and wears a suit of armor equipped with a mechanized scorpion-like tail, becoming a supervillain known as Scorpion.
Michael Mando returns to his role of Mac Gargan from 2017’s <em>Spider-Man: Homecoming</em>, evolving into a powerful, unpredictable villain. In the MCU, the character has only appeared twice, and only once in live-action films, with an alternate version of the villain appearing in the 2025 animated series <em>Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man</em>.
8
May Parker
Played by Marisa Tomei
Peter’s beloved aunt and widow of his uncle Ben, May Parker tragically dies in Spider-Man: No Way Home after being fatally wounded by Green Goblin. Played by Academy Award-winningMarisa Tomei, May has played a significant role in Peter Parker’s life, appearing in six MCU films including all Spider-Man films.
InBrand New Day , May only appears in flashbacks but still holds an important role in Peter’s life. Leaving Peter with some valuable advice May’s moral legacy has become somewhat of a guiding light for Peter ever since her death. So when she appears even as a memory she is a symbol of comfort and support for her nephew as he navigates complicated identity and impending threats.
7
MJ
Played by Zendaya
An original character of MCU Michelle Jones-Watson or MJ is Peter’s former classmate from high school and forever love interest who briefly dated Peter before losing her memory of him following events of No Way Home. Zendaya reprises her award-winning role from previous films but brings new dimensions to character. InBrand New Day , MJ is now student at MIT alongside Peter’s former best friend Ned who is also her roommate.
The new version of MJ sees her in tragic aftermath of memory wipe but depicts same intelligent clever snarky personality as always. She has no recollection of her relationship with Peter or who he even is and has a new love interest which creates further emotional conflicts delivered through very heartbreaking scene in film.
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6
Ned Leeds
Played by Jacob Batalon
Ned Leeds was once Peter’s best friend from high school and first person (besides Tony Stark) to discover his identity as Spider-Man. Ned has appeared in six MCU films including every MCU Spider-Man film as loyal supportive nifty sidekick to teenage vigilante. InBrand New Day , he is living life mostly unaffected by Peter Parker’s absence but he is fan superhero Spider-Man.
Ned has now created Spidey Tracker app that tracks all hero’s movements with hopes finding out who Spider-Man is which obviously becomes important plot point story. Jacob Batalon reprises his role Spidey’s best friend now former friend earning praise character’s emotional core heartfelt mystery surrounding connection Peter Parker.
5
Yelena Belova
Played by Florence Pugh
The adoptive sister late Avenger Natasha Romanoff member New Avengers Yelena Belova makes third MCU appearanceBrand New Day In first-ever on-screen encounter Spider-Man skilled Russian assassin helps superhero access information often hard get. Working out New York bathhouse Yelena keeps eye Damage Control Peter.
Even though she does not fight enemies alongside Peter she plays important strategic role connecting Peter wider network New Avengers Following 2025’s Thunderbolts Florence Pugh reprises role YelenaBrand New Day where she now referred Black Widow officially confirming title taking over Natasha Romanoff’s legacy.
4
The Punisher
Played by Jon Bernthal
Images via Sony Pictures Releasing’
Frank Castle aka The Punisher has come long way since first became part MCUDaredevil but continues be edgy violent street-level vigilante isolated from societyBrand New Day Following violent encounter Spider-Man learns warm him despite being unaware true identity offering support helping young superhero cope troubles Through constant squabbles becomes evident share deep emotional burdens both men grapple grief isolation.
Fresh off heels latest appearanceThe Punisher One Last Kill Jon Bernthal returns ruthless vigilanteBrand New Day which also marks first appearance character MCU films movie also features iconic Battle Van comics another first character’s live-action appearances.
3
Jean Grey
Played by Sadie Sink
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing’
The newest addition MCU so far one most popular powerful charactersSpider-Man Brand New Day Jean Grey mutant psychokinetic telepathic abilities played strong >Stranger Things starSadie Sink. Jean becomes story’s main villain Spider-Man’s nemesis shadowy controlling force targeting Damage Control.
A member X-Men comics MCU’s Jean Grey technically neither superhero nor supervillain rather complex character becomes antagonistic vengeful due deep personal loss Jean able control anyone’s mind wishes reading deepest thoughts forcing them do whatever wants But somehow Peter immune abilities which leads further hostility between them some visually stunning action pieces.
2
The Hulk
Played by Mark Ruffalo
After nearly two decades counting Hulk still unarguably one most powerful complex characters within Marvel Cinematic Universe Introduced2008’s‘The Incredible Hulk’, Hulk since appeared11 major live-action projects becoming central character withinMCU‘Mark Ruffalo’‘repriseshisroleofgenius scientist turned green humanoid Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk.’
‘Since‘Avengers Endgame’, Bruce controlledhisDNAmutationwithGamma radiationusinganinhibitor devicethatturnshimgreenbutlimitshisphysicaland emotional transformation In’‘BrandNewDay’‘, Bruce now professor quantum mechanics whomPeter seeks out helpwithhis evolving powers While Bruce hadsuccessfullymergedbothhis personas turninghimintoSmartHulk,’BrandNewDay’also seeshimregressingtohis earlier destructive persona SavageHulk,lastseenin‘Avengers Infinity War’.
