Rumor has it, Spider-Man: Brand New Day may feature this Avengers Veteran

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth movie starring Tom Holland as the Wall-Crawler, is making headlines once again. This time, it's due to a casting rumor. It is said that the film directed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton will feature Bruce Banner/Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo.

The origin of this rumor is the website Nexus Point News. It's crucial to point out that the site may not be a trustworthy source of information. Therefore, while the idea of Hulk being part of Spider-Man: Brand New Day seems intriguing, it's essential to approach it with skepticism until it is officially confirmed.

Is Hulk a part of Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

At this time, Mark Ruffalo's participation in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is just speculation. However, given that every MCU Spider-Man movie prior to Brand New Day featured a significant Marvel Cinematic Universe character, it wouldn't be surprising if this fourth installment includes a major MCU character as well. If Ruffalo is indeed part of the film, this would mark the second time Destin Daniel Cretton directs him in an MCU project.

Cretton first directed Mark Ruffalo in the post-credit scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. This scene was intended to set up Avengers: Kang Dynasty, but Cretton stepped down as the director in November 2023, leading to the film's transformation into Avengers: Doomsday. Following this, in April 2025, Cretton was confirmed as the director for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Details about the fourth movie are scarce for now, as the internet is filled with rumors of Spider-Man: Brand New Day being a large-scale multiversal adventure like No Way Home or a more grounded and realistic story like Spider-Man: Homecoming. Initially, it was set to release after Avengers: Doomsday on July 31, 2026.

However, Avengers: Doomsday has moved its release date from May 1, 2026, to December 18, 2026. This shift gives Marvel an opportunity to make Brand New Day more grounded than No Way Home. However, grounded doesn't mean the movie shouldn't involve supernatural events. Hulk's potential involvement in the film may help Spider-Man: Brand New Day achieve that balance.

Fans are also hoping for this particular moment from the comics in Spider-Man: Brand New Day:

Since the rumor of Mark Ruffalo's involvement surfaced online, Marvel fans have eagerly hoped that the team behind Brand New Day will adapt a moment from Immortal Hulk: Great Power #1, published in February 2020. This moment features a battered Spider-Man and Hulk sharing a wholesome, heartwarming experience.

Spider-Man tries to hug, prompting Hulk to ask him what he is doing while mentioning his name, "Peter." A shocked Peter asks Hulk how he remembers his name, to which the green giant replies,

"You made everyone forget everyone who you are. Banner forgot. But I don't forget."

At this point in the comics, Doctor Strange used a spell to erase Spider-Man's secret identity.

Something similar occurred in the MCU as well. No Way Home concluded with Doctor Strange making everyone forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Therefore, there is a possibility that Brand New Day might adapt this moment if Hulk is indeed in the movie.