In what ways will Spider-Man 4 revamp the MCU’s web-slinger?
Tom Holland's fourth Spider-Man film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is among the most eagerly awaited blockbusters of 2026. Spider-Man: No Way Home raised expectations for the character back in 2021, leading fans to speculate how Marvel Studios will follow up on this film and whether it will perform well in theaters.
After a lengthy and perplexing delay, Marvel Studios has successfully appointed Destin Daniel Cretton as the new director, succeeding Jon Watts, and filming for Spider-Man 4 is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025. With significant anticipation surrounding this fourth solo installment, it's exciting to consider how the narrative might evolve the MCU’s Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Could Spider-Man take the lead in the new Avengers?
Since Spider-Man 4 is set to be released shortly after Avengers: Doomsday, there’s a possibility that the latter's storyline will transition into the web-slinger’s upcoming adventure. If that’s the case, Spider-Man 4 might depict Peter Parker stepping into a leadership role in the fight against Doctor Doom. No Way Home hinted at his budding leadership abilities, as he teamed up with his variants from across the Multiverse to defend his reality from devastation. His fourth film might show him following Iron Man’s legacy and guiding the new Avengers against Doom or the next threat.
A fresh cinematic style
Destin Daniel Cretton made a significant impact with his superhero martial arts feature Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. At one point, he was even slated to direct the fifth Avengers film, showcasing Marvel Studios’ confidence in his directing abilities. While Jon Watts excelled in his Spider-Man films, Cretton could introduce a new aesthetic to Spider-Man 4, further distinguishing it within the MCU.
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy is still notable today for the director’s distinctive and vibrant visual storytelling. Cretton may infuse his own unique style into the film, crafting a memorable cinematic experience for viewers. The striking visuals and dynamic choreography seen in Shang-Chi suggest the kind of movie Cretton intends to create for Spider-Man’s next solo adventure.
A more somber atmosphere
Spider-Man: No Way Home depicted Peter traversing darker territories, marked by the loss of his Aunt May and a near-fatal confrontation with the Green Goblin born from vengeance. As Peter lives isolated in a world that no longer knows his civilian identity, he may confront even deeper inner struggles as a lone vigilante. This direction could help differentiate the hero’s next journey from other more lighthearted entries in the MCU. It could also present a refreshing shift as audiences grapple with superhero fatigue following Marvel's recent releases.
Will Spider-Man discover new romance?
With Peter choosing not to reveal their shared history to MJ at the conclusion of No Way Home, it’s possible they will remain apart in his next film. Zendaya will reprise her role as MJ in Spider-Man 4; however, the nature of her relationship with Peter remains uncertain. Although Peter and MJ made a great couple, and Holland and Zendaya have fantastic chemistry, reuniting them quickly after No Way Home might undermine Peter’s sacrifice to keep MJ safe from his life as Spider-Man.
Nonetheless, it's possible that Peter will find new love in his fresh circumstances, potentially with someone better suited for a superhero lifestyle. Peter has had numerous romantic interests in the comics, leaving various paths for his love story to develop. While Gwen Stacy is a realistic possibility, fans are eager for Peter to finally engage in a relationship with Felicia Hardy/Black Cat on screen, allowing Marvel to explore new dynamics in Spider-Man's narrative.
Will Spider-Man gain new companions?
Just as Peter may find a new romantic partner, the hero could also cultivate new friendships for support. With Ned and his former classmates having forgotten who Peter is, he might have to start anew and form new connections while combating crime or continuing his education. Since Peter was in the process of obtaining his GED at the end of No Way Home, this might lead him to attend Empire State University and make new friends, similar to the comics.
Will Peter encounter Venom and others?
For a period, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe appeared to be paving the way for Tom Hardy’s Venom to join forces with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, along with characters from the former’s rogues' gallery. However, a series of critical and commercial setbacks seems to have derailed Sony’s plans, especially with the conclusion of the Venom trilogy. There was significant potential for Spider-Man to interact with characters like Venom, Morbius, Knull, and Kraven the Hunter.
However, the existence of parallel universes keeps those possibilities alive. Since Spider-Man 4 appears to be another Multiverse-based film, Marvel could finally capitalize on that buildup, allowing Peter to meet Venom and several other characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
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In what ways will Spider-Man 4 revamp the MCU’s web-slinger?
As Spider-Man 4 is currently in production, it prompts curiosity about how Marvel's sequel to No Way Home will influence the webslinger and his role within the MCU.