AceShowbiz - Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's second Spider-Man saga, promising a lineup filled with both confirmed and rumored villains drawn from the comic books. While many details about the film’s plot remain under wraps—especially regarding the main antagonist—a number of foes have already been revealed or strongly speculated upon. Thanks to the recently released trailer and multiple reports, fans have a clearer picture of the adversaries that Peter Parker will face.

Throughout the production buzz, nearly every Spider-Man villain imaginable has been linked to Brand New Day, though some claims come from less reliable sources. Still, several villains have appeared repeatedly in credible reports and have been visually confirmed or teased in the trailer. Below is a detailed breakdown of the confirmed villains and the most plausible rumors shaping up in the movie.

9) The Hand - Confirmed

The notorious criminal organization known as The Hand will definitely be part of the film’s villain roster. The trailer features multiple scenes showing Spider-Man in combat with a group of ninjas donned in red, unmistakably representatives of The Hand. Their inclusion ties Brand New Day to earlier Marvel series such as Daredevil and The Defenders. This connection could hint at future storylines, possibly setting up their continued presence in upcoming seasons of Daredevil: Born Again.

8) Tarantula - Confirmed

Rumors suggested that the film would open with a montage featuring Spider-Man battling low-tier villains, and Tarantula has consistently been named as part of this sequence. The trailer appears to confirm this, showing Spider-Man fighting a character in a red and black suit on a boat. Although the costume differs from the comics, the scene resembles the cover art of The Amazing Spider-Man #134. In the comics, Tarantula hails from the fictional South American country of Delvadia and becomes a criminal in America, often clashing with Spider-Man while carrying out deadly missions.

7) Boomerang - Confirmed

Another villain reportedly involved in the montage is Boomerang. The trailer briefly showcases Spider-Man facing off against this villain, who wields boomerangs and excels in martial arts. Known for his ties to organized crime, Boomerang adds a unique flair to the criminal underworld depicted in the film.

6) William Metzger - Rumored

Tramell Tillman is confirmed to appear in Brand New Day, though his exact role remains unconfirmed. Most speculation points to a minor character named William Metzger. In the comics, Metzger is a political figure who uses media to spread hatred against mutants and eventually leads the Anti-Mutant Militia, fueling public animosity toward mutants. If this character appears, he could deepen the film’s themes surrounding mutant persecution.

5) The Punisher - Confirmed

Jon Bernthal reprises his role as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in Brand New Day. Although he is more of an antihero than a traditional villain, the trailer confirms that Spider-Man will confront him, at least briefly. One scene shows Castle striking Spider-Man with his van, prompting a webbed takedown and a warning to stay out of his affairs. This tense interaction hints at a complex dynamic where the two may eventually become uneasy allies.

4) The Hulk - Rumored

Bruce Banner, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, is confirmed to appear in Brand New Day. The trailer depicts him in a teaching role, possibly at MIT, interacting with Peter Parker. However, it remains unclear whether his alter ego, The Hulk, will also feature in the film. Long-standing rumors suggest the movie could showcase a battle against either the Savage (Angry) Hulk or even the original Grey Hulk. The circumstances prompting such a transformation and whether Spider-Man will face off against him remain speculative.

3) Scorpion - Confirmed

Michael Mando returns as Mac Gargan, the man behind Scorpion, a character teased previously in Spider-Man: Homecoming. The trailer gives the first full look at Scorpion in his armored suit, using his powerful tail to attack Spider-Man. In the comics, Gargan is a private investigator hired by J. Jonah Jameson to undergo an experimental procedure granting him the scorpion suit to hunt Spider-Man. The film may alter this origin, potentially linking Scorpion’s allegiance to a key criminal figure like Wilson Fisk instead of Jameson.

2) Tombstone - Confirmed

Marvin Jones III will portray Tombstone, another confirmed villain in the film. Lonnie Lincoln, known as Tombstone in the comics, is a gangster who acquires indestructible skin and super strength after exposure to a gas developed by Doctor Octopus. This transformation enables him to dominate New York City’s criminal underworld. Given that Brand New Day aims for a street-level narrative, Tombstone’s role is expected to be significant and could intertwine with other MCU storylines, such as Wilson Fisk’s mayorship and The Punisher’s war on organized crime. While he doesn’t appear visually in the trailer, his voice is heard during a key scene referencing “life cycles.”

1) Jean Grey - Rumored

Sadie Sink is confirmed to be part of Brand New Day, but her character has not been officially revealed. Numerous rumors have circulated about who she might portray, ranging from obscure Spider-Man villains to prominent Marvel heroes. The most notable speculation is that she will play Jean Grey, the powerful telekinetic mutant and original member of the X-Men. If true, this would mark Jean Grey’s MCU debut within the Spider-Man franchise.

Given Sadie Sink’s star power, assigning her a major role as one of the founding mutants fits well. Additionally, rumors suggest that the Department of Damage Control (DODC) is pursuing her character. Other Marvel projects like Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man have shown the DODC’s interest in mutants, supporting the idea that Sink’s character could indeed be a mutant. Some reports also hint that her role might be antagonistic, potentially setting up an intriguing storyline arc for Jean Grey in the film.

With these confirmed villains and potential new threats, Spider-Man: Brand New Day promises a complex and action-packed narrative for Peter Parker. From street-level criminals to powerful mutants, the film looks set to expand the MCU’s Spider-Man universe in exciting ways.

What are your thoughts on the confirmed and rumored villains? Join the conversation and share your predictions on how these characters will influence the story in the ComicBook Forum.

This article is based on reporting originally published by ComicBook.com.