Spider-Man 4 reports are already starting to flare.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man trilogy, helmed by Jon Watts, reimagined the iconic web-slinger’s journey, seamlessly weaving Peter Parker into the sprawling MCU. After debuting in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has grown from a rookie hero into a seasoned, resilient Spider-Man who carries the weight of responsibility.
The trilogy started with Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), where Peter struggled to balance high school life with his desire to prove himself under Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) watchful eye. This coming-of-age tale then progressed with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), which explored Peter’s evolution as he grappled with Tony’s death and stepped out of Iron Man’s shadow. Finally, 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home brought the Multiverse to life, uniting Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, and Holland’s Spider-Men in a nostalgic and thrilling finale that earned almost $2 billion worldwide.
With these films, Jon Watts crafted a unique origin story for Holland’s Spider-Man, connecting him to the MCU while paying homage to past iterations of the character. The result? A definitive Spider-Man for a new generation.
Despite Tom Holland’s prior statements about stepping away from the role before turning 30—leaving room for a fresh take, like Miles Morales—the British actor is set to reprise his role in Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man 4, releasing in late July 2026. Holland, who will indeed be 30 by then, recently confirmed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that the fourth film is officially a go after earlier delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
While the fourth film’s title remains under wraps, it will release just two months after Avengers: Doomsday (2026), the highly anticipated fifth Avengers film by the Russo Brothers. Holland’s Spider-Man is expected to feature in Doomsday alongside Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom and Chris Evans, rumored to be portraying a new iteration of Steve Rogers as Nomad. Producer Amy Pascal has teased that Spider-Man 4 will delve into Peter’s decision to leave his identity behind and focus solely on being Spider-Man.
“Well, we have to deal with the fact that he decided he was going to give up being Peter Parker, and he was going to focus on being Spider-Man because being Peter Parker was too hard,” Pascal told Deadline. “So that’s what the movie’s about… There’s room to grow.”
However, fans may see less of Zendaya’s Michelle “MJ” Jones in the upcoming film. Reports from insider Jeff Sneider (via The Direct) reveal that her role will be “severely reduced” due to scheduling conflicts. Zendaya is juggling multiple high-profile projects, including Euphoria Season 3, Dune: Part Three, and a Christopher Nolan film in which Holland is also set to star.
This shift opens the door for a possible Gwen Stacy storyline, as hinted by the movie’s working title, “Blue Oasis.” Many speculate it’s a nod to the beloved “Spider-Man: Blue” comic series by Jeph Loeb, which recounts Peter Parker’s early romance with Gwen Stacy. Could this be the emotional heart of Spider-Man 4?
Before Spider-Man’s next chapter arrives, the MCU will close out Phase Five with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* in 2025, followed by The Fantastic Four: First Steps to kick off Phase Six. These projects will set the stage for Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4.
In other news, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recently confirmed that Black Panther 3 is in development, following producer Nate Moore’s departure after 14 years with the studio.
What do you think of Zendaya’s reported reduced role in Spider-Man 4? Could this mean the end of her time in the MCU? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
