Big news in the world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Mark Ruffalo’s The Hulk is reportedly set to return for next year’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
According to a The Hollywood Reporter story both Sony and Marvel declined to comment on, Ruffalo will reprise his role as Bruce Banner for the hotly anticipated 2026 superhero sequel.
Meanwhile, Michael Mando will reportedly reprise his role as supervillain Mac Gargan, aka, the Scorpion, in Brand New Day. The Scorpion was last seen in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, the first Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland in the title role.
Ruffalo last played The Hulk in 2022 Disney+ show She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, a follow-up to which seems unlikely at this point. Ruffalo was not among the many names confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, although Marvel has indicated more announcements on that front are to come, so perhaps The Hulk will appear in the film in some form.
With production about to kick off, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is starting to take shape. Today, August 1, Sony released the debut teaser for the film, but all it did was show Spider-Man's new suit up close — and only for eight seconds.
Something brand new is coming… #SpiderManDay pic.twitter.com/hfOxYiYszw
— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) August 1, 2025
The release of the teaser and the Hulk news come amid set leaks that show an armored truck that appears to confirm an established Spider-Man villain will appear in Brand New Day.
Warning! Potential spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day follow:
The truck in question displays a red demon mark, which may relate to Mister Negative's Inner Demons group. Mister Negative, who players of Insomniac's Spider-Man games will be familiar with, debuted in 2008’s Amazing Spider-Man #546 as the literal dark side of philanthropist Martin Li. While the benevolent Li runs a homeless shelter, his alter ego is a crime lord who controls the Inner Demons, one of the most powerful gangs in New York City. Check out IGN's Mister Negative explainer for more.
Here's what we know for sure: Tom Holland will reprise his role as Spider-Man, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon also in the movie. Newcomers include Stranger Things actor Sadie Sink and Jon Bernthal, who will reprise his role as The Punisher. Marvel itself hasn't revealed plot details, but it seems likely Brand New Day will be set before Avengers: Doomsday, which comes out late 2026. Perhaps Spider-Man, The Hulk, and The Punisher will eventually team up to take down some world-ending threat. But who else might join the team?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is due out July 31, 2026.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
