I’m really hoping one of my favorite Spider-Man/Hulk moments from the comics becomes MCU canon in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Currently filming with a release date set for July of next year, Brand New Day will be the start of a whole new trilogy for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Likewise, the confirmation of the Hulk’s involvement has me very excited.
Beyond The Punisher, Bruce Banner’s Hulk will be another major hero joining the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. However, Spider-Man: No Way Home established that no one remembers Peter Parker after Doctor Strange’s spell. However, the comics provided a pretty cool loophole for Spider-Man and Hulk’s relationship, and I’d love to see some version of it in the MCU.
In The Comics, The Hulk Actually Remembered Peter Parker
In 2020’s Immortal Hulk: Great Power by Tom Taylor and Jorge Molina, Spider-Man has a heartwarming encounter with the Hulk, who calls the Webslinger by his secret idenтιтy.
This surprises Spider-Man, as the events of the previous One More Day/Brand New Day storylines saw the entire world forgetting Spider-Man’s secret idenтιтy after a deal was made with Mephisto (the inspiration for No Way Home’s spells).
However, Hulk confirms that while Banner forgot Spider-Man was Peter Parker, he never did. Keeping that in mind, it would be fascinating if something along these lines occurred in the MCU’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, especially with the confirmation that Banner/Hulk will be in the upcoming movie.
That said, there are some complications. Firstly, Bruce Banner and Hulk have been merged as “Smart Hulk” since Endgame, allowing Banner to retain his personality and intelligence while utilizing the Hulk’s strength. That said, there are big hopes and expectations that Bruce and the Hulk will be split once more with a return to form.
When and if that happens, it would be fascinating if Hulk similarly remembered Peter Parker while Bruce doesn’t, as we’ve seen in the comics (despite their limited interactions in the last two Avengers movies).
I Need SOME Version Of This Moment In Spider-Man: Brand New Day
On the one hand, the limited interactions Spider-Man has had with Smart Hulk (and none with the OG Hulk) might make a direct adaptation of this moment somewhat illogical.
Nevertheless, I’d still love to see someone remembering Peter Parker in Brand New Day or the MCU’s future via some sort of loophole. Set pH๏τos and videos already suggest Zendaya’s MJ and Tom Holland’s Parker will be sharing scenes, hinting she may end up remembering him in spite of the spell.
Likewise, Star-Lord knew Peter Parker but was off-planet when Doctor Strange cast his spell, so perhaps he still remembers the Webslinger’s real name and face. At any rate, it’s going to be fascinating to see how the MCU’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day gets out of the narrative pickle they put themselves in with Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to release July 31st, 2026 from Marvel Studios.
