Thanks to a recent revelation, it looks likely that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man might appear in one of the MCU’s most anticipated TV shows in 2026. If so, it would be a big year for Spider-Man, who is gearing up for his next starring role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31.

Spidey’s next MCU movie will be a long time coming, with more than a year separating it and the previous movie in the MCU’s release slate, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Should it follow the same trajectory as previous Spider-Man movies in the MCU, it should deliver a much-needed windfall for the franchise.

Although little is known about Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s plot, Marvel Studios and those directly involved with the movie have been drip-feeding tidbits throughout recent months. One of the biggest recent bombshells was the revelation that Jon Bernthal’s Punisher would be joining the wall-crawler on the big screen.

Not only will this make for an interesting dynamic as the typically nonlethal Spider-Man encounters one of Marvel’s most bloodthirsty vigilantes, but the news has been largely well-received thanks to the popularity of the MCU’s Punisher. Now, Tom Holland has even stoked suspicions that the two might meet ahead of time.

Tom Holland Recently Posted About A “Secret Shoot”

Spider-Man: Brand New Day began filming today on August 1, with various set pH๏τos already leaking to the public via social media. This has already sparked a firestorm of speculation about what audiences can expect from the upcoming MCU movie, with the prevailing prediction currently pointing at Mister Negative being the primary antagonist.

Despite filming only just getting underway, however, Tom Holland posted a conspicuous image to social media on Tuesday, July 29. The image shows him undergoing makeup for what he has labeled a “Secret shoot,” with very little else to clue viewers into what this shoot might be.

This suggests that Spider-Man will appear in another MCU production outside of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Whether this production will precede or follow his next big movie is unclear, but it is unlikely that he would label Brand New Day as a secret given how highly publicized the movie is.

The Punisher Spinoff Is Currently Filming In New York City

Compared to what little is known about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, arguably less is known about the upcoming, as-yet-unтιтled, Punisher Special Presentation. This feature is due to arrive on Disney+ in early 2026, around the same time as Daredevil: Born Again season 2, and is set to spotlight Jon Bernthal’s Punisher.

The Punisher spinoff will be the MCU’s third Special Presentation, following Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. With that in mind, this latest Special Presentation will likely comprise a single, under-one-hour-long episode.

Punisher was last seen at the end of Daredevil: Born Again season 1, escaping Kingpin’s makeshift prison by deceiving and killing (or, at least, severely maiming) a hapless guard. The Punisher Special Presentation, therefore, will likely pick up soon after this event as Frank Castle gets to work retaliating against Wilson Fisk’s corrupt, vigilante-hunting task force.

It appears that the Punisher will embark on a rampage according to some recent set pH๏τos and videos. In one, Punisher can be seen shooting into a car in broad daylight while sporting his iconic comics-accurate trench coat and skull-emblazoned shirt. In another, Punisher can be seen falling through some scaffolding during what is presumably a violent brawl.

So far, Jon Bernthal is the only noteworthy MCU actor who has appeared in these images. It is unclear, for instance, if Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock will join the Punisher in the streets of New York or if his next appearance is being conserved for his own series. Tom Holland’s social media post, however, makes another appearance more likely.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Appearing In The Punisher Connects To Brand New Day

Given Tom Holland posted about a secret shoot at the same time as the Punisher Special Feature was being filmed, the timing feels particularly conspicuous. It would significantly enhance Punisher’s Special Feature if an MCU character as huge as Spider-Man appeared, and it is not a cameo that will likely be revealed ahead of time.

Not only would this help to recapitalize on the shared universe of the MCU, something which has felt lacking in recent New York-based MCU stories like Thunderbolts*, but it would make a lot of sense given the news that Punisher will appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

In fact, if Tom Holland is indeed filming for a cameo, then it is likely that the Punisher Special Presentation will directly set up the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Punisher’s involvement in the movie further suggests that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be street-level, with Spider-Man and Punisher both tackling New York City crime.

The extent of Punisher’s involvement in Spider-Man: Brand New Day remains to be seen. However, with Tom Holland possibly filming for the Punisher Special Presentation just days before filming for Spider-Man: Brand New Day got underway, it is likely he’ll play a small, if consequential, role in Punisher’s show.

Source: Tom Holland/Instagram