The footage has shown Spider-Man recreating classic comic book covers while facing villains such as Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tarantula. While it is clear that Spidey will battle his fair share of bad guys, none of them appear to be the film’s central antagonist.
During the press tour, Tom Holland was asked about the movie’s main villain and described the character as "very much a secret". Meanwhile, actors such as Sadie Sink and Keith David have been confirmed to appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but their roles remain unknown. Spider-Man has one of the deepest rogues' galleries in all of comics, and with the trailers teasing such a wide variety of enemies, it remains a mystery who will emerge to challenge the Wall-Crawler. After combing through casting rumors, set photos, and potential comic book inspirations, we are confident these are the 5 most likely villains to take center stage in Spider-Man: Brand New Day!
Mr. Negative
Also known as Martin Li, Mr. Negative is a relatively new Spider-Man villain who gained widespread popularity after appearing in Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) for the PlayStation 4. One of the character's most compelling traits is the contrast between his two identities. Martin Li is an altruistic philanthropist who founded the F.E.A.S.T. Center, a charity dedicated to helping the homeless. Mr. Negative, however, is a ruthless crime lord who uses his mind-altering abilities to lead the criminal organization known as the Inner Demons. There is reason to believe that Martin Li may already exist in the MCU, as Aunt May worked at the F.E.A.S.T. Center in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Set photos and behind-the-scenes footage have also shown logos resembling those of the Inner Demons on the armored vehicles Spider-Man is seen battling in promotional footage. Mr. Negative's ability to influence and corrupt others could even provide an explanation for why the Hulk appears to go on another rampage after remaining under control for so many years. Beyond his visually striking powers and dual identity, Mr. Negative remains one of the few Spider-Man villains who has yet to appear on the big screen, making him a strong candidate for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Jean Grey
Sadie Sink has been rumored to play a litany of roles in this film, but Jean Grey has been the most prominent by far. Seeing as Marvel has been heavily promoting X-Men across multiple mediums, it is not unlikely that they would introduce one in their most anticipated project of the year. Jean Grey is one of the most powerful telepaths in all of Marvel, which would explain the widespread mind control that appears in both trailers. While it would be an unconventional choice to introduce such an iconic X-Men character as an antagonist, Jean does have a long history of losing control of her immense powers. Rather than serving as a traditional villain, perhaps she could become an unwilling threat that Spider-Man must stop before ultimately helping her gain control of her abilities.
The Hand
This notorious ninja clan has been largely absent from the MCU since it last fought Daredevil in 2017. However, it appears to be making a comeback, as multiple trailer shots show Spider-Man battling members of the Hand in their signature red attire. With Daredevil appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home and the Punisher starring in this film, Marvel is clearly making an effort to connect Spider-Man with the MCU's other street-level heroes. The Hand is an excellent fit for Spider-Man: Brand New Day because it allows for intense hand-to-hand combat sequences while feeling distinct from the typical criminals Spider-Man faces. The organization is also known for being able to bypass Daredevil's heightened senses, which could lead to a situation where Spider-Man is unable to rely on his Spider-Sense. In the comics, the Hand is often led by the demonic entity known as the Beast. This primordial creature could be attempting to take control of Peter, which could explain the sudden changes to his body and behavior.
William Metzker
William Metzker has made very few comic book appearances, but the trailers have confirmed that "Severance" star Tramell Tillman will portray the character. In the comics, Metzker is an X-Men villain who uses anti-mutant propaganda, media fear-mongering, and advanced military technology to wage war against mutants. With Peter undergoing a secondary mutation and Jean Grey heavily rumored to appear in the film, Metzker would serve as a compelling thematic foil. The trailers suggest that Metzker may be using the Department of Damage Control as a front for his true agenda, making him a strong fit for a grounded, street-level Spider-Man story. Beyond the limited comic background, Tillman has the screen presence necessary to make Metzker a memorable antagonist if Marvel gives him a substantial role in the film.
Tombstone
Following the events of "Daredevil: Born Again" Season 2, Kingpin is no longer at the top of New York’s crime hierarchy. In the comics, similar power vacuums have often allowed Tombstone to fill the void. Born Lonnie Lincoln, he was an African-American man with albinism who gained great physical strength and durability through chemical exposure. Tombstone fulfills a lot of the same roles as Kingpin, but his calmer demeanor makes him much more intimidating and less prone to explosive outbursts. Marvin Jones III is set to play Tombstone, and photos have surfaced showing him holding Spider-Man by the throat. As a strategic crime lord, Tombstone is capable of orchestrating the many threats seen throughout the trailers while remaining behind the scenes. Tombstone could be using New York's criminal underworld to keep Peter occupied while carrying out a much larger plan.
Marvel has done an impressive job at keeping this secret under wraps, but we are certain that one of these 5 will be the next big threat that Spider-Man faces. Regardless, it has been far too long since we have seen the Web Head in action, and we cannot wait to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theatres on July 31st!
