Tom Holland is returning to the role of Peter Parker, and this time, he’s stepping into a Spider-Man movie that’s less confined, more grounded, and swinging straight into the heart of real-world grit.
In a new interview with Flip Your Wig, Holland opened up about why Spider-Man: Brand New Day will course-correct one of the biggest limitations from No Way Home. He said:
“I’m obviously over the moon and so excited. Playing Spider-Man is like hanging out with an old pal, and I think we were really restricted with what we could do in the last movie because of COVID. We shot the entire film on stages.”
That restriction affected more than just the vibe. Due to pandemic protocols, several elements of No Way Home, like Sandman and Lizard, were reduced to quick appearances using repurposed footage.
Even with its $1.92 billion box office run, the movie was, behind the scenes, a creative marathon under lockdown. Director Jon Watts later stepped away from The Fantastic Four: First Steps citing burnout. He said:
“Literally, people could’ve died if you did things wrong. That and the postproduction process was very difficult.”
But Brand New Day, which is set to film this summer in Glasgow, Scotland, is looking to leave the isolation behind. Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) is directing, and Holland says the move back to real locations is a game-changer.
“Now, we’re really gonna lean into that old-school filmmaking and shoot in real locations, which is why we’re starting in Glasgow,” he said. Holland also teased that Glasgow — which subbed in for Gotham in The Batman and hosted scenes from Infinity War — will serve as the backdrop for a “massive set piece.” He added:
“It’s gonna feel like making [Spider-Man: Homecoming] again. It’s been such a long time that I’ve done it that it’s gonna feel like a breath of fresh air. And I think the fans are gonna be over the moon with what we’re putting together.”
Brand New Day is shaping up to be more than just a return to practical filmmaking, it may also explore a grittier side of the Marvel universe. Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is making his big-screen MCU debut in the film, which is going to be awesome.
The there’s Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) and Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) joining the cast in undisclosed roles, plus the return of Zendaya and Jacob Batalon.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit theaters July 31, 2026.
