Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks the start of a new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe hero, and to do so, multiple characters are coming back for the movie. Tom Holland has always had the company of an MCU veteran in his Spider-Man movie trilogy. That is part of the deal between Marvel and Sony to share Spider-Man, which works.

The MCU’s next Spider-Man movie will continue that in a huge way, as Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s cast includes two fan-favorite Marvel heroes. Both Jon Bernthal as the Punisher, making his MCU movie debut, and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, finally interacting with Peter Parker, will join Holland’s Spider-Man in the movie. They won’t be the only returning MCU stars.

After debuting in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Michael Mando will be back in Spider-Man: Brand New Day as Scorpion. The film will also add new characters to the MCU, with Stranger Things star Sadie Sink cast in a mystery role that has been rumored to be a few major characters. That said, the Spider-Man movie’s story for the Hulk and Punisher might be clear already.

Spider-Man: No Way Home Set Up Brand New Day In Two Major Ways

As its тιтle states, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the first step in a new chapter for Peter Parker in the MCU. The hero’s latest appearance was in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which also included the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield versions of Spider-Man, grossing nearly $2 billion. That film perfectly set the stage for what could come in 2026.

Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending is one of the most impactful in the MCU. Peter sacrifices his happiness to save the world, fixing his mistakes, and keeping Zendaya’s MJ and his friends safe. After Doctor Strange’s spell, the world no longer remembers who Peter Parker is. With Aunt May killed by the Green Goblin, Peter now lives alone in a small apartment.

That is not the only setup for the 2026 MCU movie. In Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s post-credits scene, Tom Hardy’s Venom decides to meet Spider-Man before being sent back to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. While the character does not stay in the MCU, a piece of the Venom symbiote was left behind. That could come into play with a major role soon.

The Punisher And The Hulk Fit The Tone Of Spider-Man’s MCU Story

Taking where Peter was at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, I believe it is easy to see why the Punisher and the Hulk are two MCU heroes who are, thematically, perfect fits for the next Spider-Man movie. Peter is now focusing on being Spider-Man over any sort of personal life, something that Frank Castle knows all too well.

After the death of his family, the Punisher has let revenge and anger consume him. He lives to make criminals pay, with no semblance of a normal life. As for Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, the character has experienced both of Peter Parker’s lives in the MCU. In the past, Bruce Banner was controlled by his rage, living on the run.

The Hulk’s many rampages would stop when Banner was able to merge both of his personas, becoming Smart Hulk by the time we see him in Avengers: Endgame. The Hulk presents a new path forward for Peter, with Spider-Man able to live with that rage that nearly drove him to kill the Green Goblin, but still lead a normal life.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Theory – The Symbiote Is Why The Punisher & Hulk Are In The MCU Movie

According to a new Spider-Man: Brand New Day theory, the reason the Punisher and the Hulk are in the MCU movie might be directly tied to the rage they have dealt with for a big part of their lives. With the piece of the Venom symbiote left behind in the MCU, that has to come back at some point.

It is too big a plot point to be ignored, and the Spider-Man movie theory suggests the symbiote plays a central role in the 2026 film. The Hulk, the Punisher, and even Scorpion are all known for their intense personas and violent, rage-filled histories. The symbiote could then be the reason why they are in the movie, attaching itself to them.

The Spider-Man: Brand New Day theory hinges on the symbiote being drawn to those three characters due to their rage, both in display and hidden, which could lead to the Savage Hulk returning after years of Smart Hulk in the MCU. By the end of the film, Spider-Man would don the symbiote himself to contain it, but now in control of his emotions.

Why Spider-Man Donning The Symbiote Suit In Brand New Day Makes Sense

In the pages of Marvel Comics, Secret Wars marked the first time that Spider-Man donned the symbiote suit. As such, it would be fitting for the character to have access to the symbiote before the next two Avengers movies. Given all the universes and Marvel characters who will be in both films, the symbiote arc would shine brighter in a solo movie.

Besides, Spider-Man might need the added strength and abilities the symbiote suit gives him in the next Avengers movie. After a description of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers Doomsday was released, claiming he unites magic and technology, Spider-Man would need a power-up to face him. Spider-Man: Brand New Day could provide just that if the MCU theory pans out.