Spider-Man’s Next Movie Needs Chameleon—Here’s Why It Would Be Perfect!

Excitement is building as the start of filming for Spider-Man: Brand New Day approaches, leaving many wondering who Sadie Sink will play in Tom Holland’s upcoming Spider-Man story. Additionally, speculation abounds about which villain will challenge this version of Spider-Man in his next movie. With a vast collection of foes at his disposal, ranging from well-known to lesser-known characters, the possibilities are endless for who he might fight in his next live-action film.

Among the many adversaries that “Brand New Day” should potentially reintroduce, one stands out as a longtime and resilient comic book foe for Spider-Man. Although he’s previously made an appearance in live-action through “Kraven the Hunter,” it’s about time that the Chameleon gets his moment to shine on the big screen.

Why Is The Chameleon So Important?

In March 1963, Dmitri Smerdyakov/Chameleon debuted in issue #1 of The Amazing Spider-Man comic, marking him as the first costumed supervillain that Spider-Man encountered. Over time, Chameleon became a frequent adversary of Spider-Man, appearing across various media platforms beyond comics. He was often featured in Spider-Man television shows and numerous video games, such as 2023’s Spider-Man 2. However, despite his popularity, Chameleon has yet to make a significant impact on the big screen.

In the movie “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, the character Dimitri, played by Numan Acar, made an appearance but failed to show any signs or suggestions of his Chameleon persona. Ironically, in the 2024 film “Kraven the Hunter”, a more straightforward portrayal of this villain was one of the main characters. To add insult to injury, the final scene of that movie showed Smerdyakov transforming like his comic book counterpart, implying that he and Kraven would have rival roles in an unmade sequel. However, none of these representations utilized the intriguing elements that Chameleon could offer, and instead seemed reluctant to embrace the outrageous aspects of a popular supervillain that fans adore.

Given his notable comic book history, it’s only fitting that a chameleon should grace the big screen in a spectacular adaptation, similar to the live-action portrayals of characters like Green Goblin, Mysterio, Doctor Octopus, and even Sandman in the first half of Spider-Man 3. There is much untapped potential for humor and excitement with this shape-shifting character that his past film appearances have not explored. Moreover, Chameleon remains the last well-known classic enemy from the ’60s Spider-Man era yet to confront Spider-Man on screen in any form. To exclude him would be absurd.

Chameleon Could Give Brand New Day Some Grounded Terror

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve got to admit that I’m growing weary of the antagonists in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who either have motivations that are too over-the-top for me to connect with (like Dar-Benn from The Marvels) or lack the depth needed to keep me hooked (such as President Ross and The Leader in Brave New World). Characters like the Chameleon, when handled incorrectly, could easily veer off course. But what if his menacing aura was derived not from superpowers, but from instilling paranoia? Imagine not knowing who among us might be the Chameleon or where he could be hiding – that would provide an intriguing twist on typical MCU villains, offering a refreshing change of pace.

In addition to that, introducing Chameleon into “Brand New Day” would give the movie a distinctly different danger compared to the multiverse threats seen in “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Regarding the latter film, its conclusion saw Peter Parker adapting to a new life where he’s been erased from his loved ones’ memories. With Peter’s identity undergoing a transformation, this could be an ideal moment for Chameleon to enter as the next villain following “No Way Home.” Incorporating this character would not only offer cinematic payoff for a frequently overlooked comic book character but also make Chameleon in “Brand New Day” an excellent choice for Spider-Man’s adversary post-“No Way Home.

For several decades, Chameleon has been causing trouble for Spider-Man and other Marvel superheroes. It’s crucial that Sony/Marvel Studios ensure Chameleon’s big-screen presence isn’t limited to a vague appearance in “Far From Home” and the mysterious events of “Kraven the Hunter.” Instead, a film like “Brand New Day” could offer an exciting experience by fully embracing all the unique qualities that make Chameleon such an enjoyable villain. Among the numerous iconic Spider-Man adversaries, Chameleon is arguably the one who deserves to be showcased most in a film like “Brand New Day.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31, 2026.

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2025-06-01 01:12