Spider-Man’s Four-Year Time Jump is Way Deeper For Brand New Day & the MCU Than You Realize

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Although Sony didn’t advertise during the Super Bowl, details about the next Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day, are starting to emerge. Interestingly, the information comes from a behind-the-scenes book about the film. It seems the movie will take place four years after No Way Home, and Peter Parker will find himself caught up in a mysterious and complicated situation, dealing with the consequences of his previous actions. This likely involves MJ and Ned, who, like the rest of the world, have no memory of Peter Parker.

The four-year leap forward in time is actually quite significant. Spider-Man: No Way Home takes place around Christmas 2024 (the same time as Hawkeye), meaning the next movie will be set in 2028. This is the furthest into the future the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever gone, as the current timeline is set in 2027. This likely places the events of Brand New Day immediately before Avengers: Doomsday. However, this time jump is important for reasons beyond just that connection…

We Haven’t Seen Peter Parker In Four Years

At the end of the last movie, Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, was going through a really tough time. He’d lost his Aunt May after the world found out his secret identity, and trying to fix things only made them worse. Doctor Strange ended up making everyone forget Peter Parker ever existed, even changing history to remove him. His girlfriend, MJ, and best friend, Ned, went off to college at MIT with no memory of knowing Spider-Man. Peter was completely alone, more so than ever before.

According to details about the new art book, Peter Parker is no longer part of the picture, but Spider-Man is doing better than ever, protecting New York City. It seems he’s prioritized being a hero over his personal life, just earning enough to continue his crime-fighting. He might even be working for the Daily Bugle’s online platforms, a fun nod to the classic comics. After four years of fighting crime, this Spider-Man is more skilled and successful than we’ve ever seen.

The large number of villains in Spider-Man: Brand New Day likely reflects the reality that a superhero active in New York City for four years would inevitably encounter them. We might see a quick montage in the movie showing Spider-Man fighting smaller villains before the main story begins – Marvel used a similar approach successfully in Fantastic Four: First Steps.

What’s Happened to MJ & Ned?

It’s been four years since MJ and Ned were in high school. By 2025, they’ll have graduated and are currently in their third year at MIT, according to the movie’s timeline. While Ned would likely study computer science, it’s harder to say what MJ is focusing on. She showed an interest in politics, so political science is a possibility. However, she also easily understood Peter’s technical explanations, suggesting she could be studying theoretical physics – maybe even focusing on multiverse theory, given the events leading up to Avengers: Doomsday.

Regardless of what happened, Ned and MJ have started new chapters in their lives. Since MIT is located in Massachusetts, they might return to New York during a school break. Will they unexpectedly get pulled back into Spider-Man’s world, or will Peter need to seek them out because of their unique abilities? Peter might also have another reason to visit MIT – a connection to the Jade Giant.

It’s Been Three Years Since We Saw The Hulk

Mark Ruffalo is returning as the Hulk in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and reports suggest this will be a new take on the character. The story takes place three years after Bruce Banner’s last appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (set in 2025), meaning a lot could have changed for the Hulk. Some fans believe Banner has become a professor at MIT, and that Peter Parker might seek his help, potentially leading to a reunion with MJ and Ned.

The finale of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law revealed that the Hulk has a son named Skaar, who comes from the planet Sakaar. Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t shown their connection yet, they’ve had three years to build a relationship – which, based on the comics, could be complicated. It remains to be seen if becoming a father will have any impact on Bruce Banner.

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2026-02-19 17:42