Spider-Man 4 Risks Repeating the Failed Mistakes of an 11-Year-Old Franchise

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The upcoming movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, is moving steadily towards its release on July 31, 2026. This sequel to “Spider-Man” takes place several years following “No Way Home,” where Peter Parker embarks on a fresh chapter in his life after Doctor Strange’s enchantment eliminated the world’s recollection of him. The film is anticipated to establish a broader trilogy, making it Tom Holland’s second independent trilogy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Before the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday”, the movie needs to uphold Marvel’s commitment to delivering high-quality content rather than quantity, and it should build upon the flawless ending of “No Way Home”. The film is expected to showcase a more grown-up version of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. However, recent gossip has sparked concerns among fans that “Brand New Day” might replicate the same errors as a past troubled “Spider-Man” series.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Is Rumored to Include Way Too Many Characters

Several Villains and Heroes May Make Their MCU Debut in Spider-Man 4

As Spider-Man: Brand New Day gears up for its production, there’s been a constant buzz of rumors and speculations among fans, with some theories being more credible than others. Sifting through the misleading leaks and exaggerated stories, one potential issue that keeps cropping up is the possibility of the Spider-Man sequel featuring an overabundance of characters.

The upcoming Spider-Man film is said to possibly have three main antagonists, with Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tombstone being strong contenders. Moreover, whispers and potential casting calls spark speculation that characters like Black Cat, Tarantula, and Mister Negative might also make an appearance. Although the Sinister Six could theoretically assemble from this group, it seems like a substantial number of villains for one movie.

Other sources hint at an expansion of characters in the tale for what is said to be Spider-Man 4. It’s been proposed that she might portray Mayday Parker, the daughter of Peter Parker and MJ Watson from another dimension who secretly becomes Spider-Girl in this universe. Alternatively, there are whispers she could embody Jean Grey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Regardless, both roles would significantly broaden the narrative of the film, necessitating considerable effort to develop fully.

As a passionate moviegoer, I’m thrilled to hear that Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk might have a significant part in the upcoming film, “Brand New Day.” The prospect of these rumors coming true is indeed exhilarating. However, incorporating numerous ideas into a single movie could potentially be too much, leading to an overload for the audience. If even half of these characters are introduced in this movie, “Brand New Day” might risk feeling overly packed. Regrettably, this isn’t the first time the Spider-Man universe has made this mistake.

Brand New Day Could Be Repeating the Mistakes of an 11-Year-Old Flop

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Tried to Include Too Many Villains

The whispers about Spider-Man: Brand New Day bear a concerning resemblance to the experience of Andrew Garfield’s second stint as the web-slinger. In 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 sought to build on the previous film’s triumph and solidify Garfield as the new Spidey. Regrettably, this follow-up was bogged down by a large ensemble cast and an excess of plot points intended for upcoming spinoffs and sequels.

In the movie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Electro, who is poorly portrayed compared to his comic book version and disappoints many fans of the original character, serves as the main villain. Electro works for Harry Osborn, a character who later transforms into the Green Goblin by using Spider-Man’s magical blood (a plot point that requires extensive explanation). Rhino is also present in the film, with Paul Giamatti portraying him in an exaggerated Russian accent that raises eyebrows. The presence of these characters alone would have made the movie feel crowded, but there are additional elements as well.

The movie weaves together several narratives: revealing the Parkers’ destiny, the demise of Gwen Stacy, Peter’s high school graduation, Aunt May’s new role as a nurse, the ongoing saga of the Green Goblin’s legacy, and more. It further lays groundwork for potential future installments by introducing various antagonists such as Norman Osborn’s Green Goblin, the Spider-Slayer, Black Cat, Doctor Octopus, and the Vulture. Originally planned scenes would have introduced Mary Jane Watson, positioning her as Peter Parker’s prospective love interest following Gwen’s passing.

The poorly structured and hastily produced film was ironically intended to establish a sprawling universe of interconnected Spider-Man films. Contrary to its purpose, it instead became overcrowded with multiple characters and storylines, which were initially planned by Sony as an attempt to replicate the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although centered around just one superhero. Some of these concepts were later used in Sony’s abandoned Spider-Man shared universe.

In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, there were far too many plotlines crammed together, leaving little room for a compelling narrative. This overcrowding led to unfavorable criticisms and lower-than-expected ticket sales. If Sony and Marvel aren’t mindful, they might inadvertently replicate this error with Brand New Day.

Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day Setting Itself Up For Failure?

A Lot Is Riding on Brand New Day’s Success

Spider-Man: Brand New Day stands as one of the pivotal moments in the franchise’s history. After a turbulent period, the franchise is making significant efforts to regain its audience’s trust. Notable projects like ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ and ‘Thunderbolts’ are emblematic of Marvel’s renewed commitment to prioritizing quality over quantity. This shift in approach has led them to streamline their productions, ensuring a superior end result for the fans.

Enthusiasts remain highly appreciative of the Spider-Man series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), boasting three highly praised and financially lucrative movies to date. The upcoming film, “Brand New Day,” needs to maintain this high standard to prevent a decline in fan interest. Similar to the abandoned sequels and spinoffs following The Amazing Spider-Man 2, such as Spider-Man 5 and 6, could face setbacks if Brand New Day fails to meet expectations. This could pose significant challenges for the MCU prior to Avengers: Doomsday, making it a tough task to regain the trust of disgruntled fans who were let down by the most recent Spider-Man film.

The scriptwriter might manage to integrate all these characters into the plot smoothly, although it won’t be an effortless task. It’s possible that some rumored antagonists like Tarantula and Boomerang will have limited appearances in the movie, whereas characters such as Scorpion, Tombstone, and Mister Negative will likely play more substantial roles.

Intriguingly, several of these characters have connections to the New York underworld, hinting that Brand New Day could focus on Spider-Man’s struggle against the gangs in New York City.

In this scenario, it’s possible that each of these alleged villains symbolizes different gangs vying for power in the city. This could tie together numerous familiar characters within a single narrative, making it more straightforward to follow. Still, fans eagerly anticipate Spider-Man: Brand New Day, hoping that the movie surpasses their expectations.

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2025-06-01 05:52