Spider-Man 4 Leak Hints at Bleakest Peter Parker Yet

Word’s out about a supposed storyline for the next Spider-Man instalment, and it’s not looking too cheery for Tom Holland’s take on Peter Parker. With his identity wiped from everyone’s memory, Peter’s already in a rough patch as the film kicks off. The rumour mill suggests he’ll develop feelings for a character played by Sadie Sink, but things aren’t quite what they seem.

Apparently, Sink’s character is masquerading as Gwen Stacy, but she’s actually Shathra, a villain from the comics with a knack for mystical manipulation. This betrayal is set to hit Peter hard, leaving him more gutted than Tobey Maguire’s version ever was in the old films.

Down and Out in New York

That’s just the start. The same rumour claims Shathra will use her powers to control Salvage Hulk, setting up a clash between Holland’s Spider-Man and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. On top of that, Peter’s struggling to make ends meet. He’s working as a delivery driver but loses his job, which leads him back to snapping photos for the Daily Bugle. Things get so dire he’s nearly booted from his flat for missing rent. All up, it’s a pretty grim outlook for Peter in this version of the story.

Villains and Allies: Who’s Who

The whispers don’t stop there. AIM, the shadowy organisation, is tipped to be pulling the strings behind the scenes, running dodgy experiments and using illegal tech. They’re rumoured to build a new nano-suit for Scorpion and help him break out of lockup.

Peter’s also set to cross paths with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, with the two likely to scrap in prison before teaming up against the baddies. The Hand, another villainous group, is said to attack both Peter and Punisher behind bars. Tombstone is pegged as the main street-level threat, running New York’s underworld and recruiting the likes of Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tarantula to take on Spider-Man and Punisher. The film’s expected to unleash chaos in the city, reminiscent of Daredevil’s turf wars.

Familiar Faces and New Directions

There’s talk of Peter finding a new mate in Jean DeWolff from the police, and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova might pop up near the end, inviting him to join the New Avengers. But Peter’s likely to knock back the offer, wanting to look after his own patch first.

As for Tobey Maguire, fans still rate his run as Spidey the best of the lot. The success of No Way Home was largely thanks to Maguire and Andrew Garfield showing up. This time, though, Holland’s keen to carve out his own legacy, without leaning on the other blokes.

Will Maguire Swing Back In?

Insiders reckon the new film will stick to street-level action, steering clear of multiverse shenanigans. While it’s unlikely Maguire will return for this one, there’s chatter he’ll be back for Avengers: Doomsday. One insider said,

“He would return in Avengers: Doomsday.”

That’s big news for punters hoping to see the Raimiverse Spidey again after No Way Home.

Fuel was added to the fire when a fan posted a snap with Maguire in London, where Doomsday was filming. Still, it’s been reported that Holland won’t be joining the Doomsday cast, possibly because his character was wiped from everyone’s memories at the end of No Way Home. There are conflicting reports about whether he’ll show up in the Multiverse Saga.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit cinemas in the US on 31 July 2026.