What you need to know about ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

This summer, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is swinging back into theaters after five years since the record-hitting release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” 

The story follows Peter Parker being isolated after Doctor Strange erased the memory of who he is from every person on the planet, following the exposure of his superhero identity. Four years later, Peter is in worse shape than ever. He’s alone, broke, spending too much time as Spider-Man and still stalking his friends with the intent of catching glimpses into their lives, even though they have no idea who he is. He also has yet to give MJ the letter revealing his real identity, failing to keep his promise to explain everything after the memory wipe.

But fans couldn’t be more excited to see their friendly neighborhood Spider-Man suffering, and being, well, Spider-Man.

The fourth installment of the series is slated for July 31. After keeping fans on their toes, the film’s full trailer was released on Wednesday morning, just four months before the premiere. It is now the biggest movie trailer launch ever, with more than 700 million views as of March 20. The trailer featured snippets that left audiences ecstatic.

Here is everything you need to know about “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”

1. Jon Watts is out, Destin Daniel Cretton is in

This movie marks not only a new era for Peter Parker, but a new era for the series. Jon Watts, who directed the previous MCU Spider-Man movies, did not return for “Brand New Day.” Instead, Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Marvel’s 2021 film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” stepped in. His creative differences from Watt are already evident in the trailer. This is apparent through a plethora of innovative shots, such as a glimpse inside the Spider-Man mask, a tangible, home-made suit untouched by CGI and multiple comic-book cover-inspired frames. 

2. Peter is attending Empire State University

This is the first time the college Peter attends in the comics appears in a film adaptation. In the snippet where Parker approaches Bruce Banner after a physics lecture, he sports an ESU sweatshirt. 

At the end of “No Way Home,” Peter was working toward his GED, obviously no longer able to finish high school or enroll at MIT after his identity was erased. Considering this, ESU may be a community college, or Peter may be sitting in on a lecture. Nevertheless, Banner no longer remembers who Parker is, but his counterpart, the Hulk, still may. Banner explains to Peter that a DNA mutation is incredibly dangerous, hinting at a major plot point.

3. Punisher is wreaking havoc

And Peter is already over it — he’s already on a first-name basis with Frank Castle. Peter confidently tells him to “go home” before swinging away. This happens after Punisher relentlessly shoots at and hits our neighborhood hero with a van. 

Why or how Castle got there is unclear, but considering the number of times he appears in the trailer, it seems he’ll play a major role.

4. Where are the girls?

Two female heroes are reportedly confirmed for “Brand New Day.” Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, who most recently appeared in “Thunderbolts*,” and a still unnamed character played by Sadie Sink. Neither appeared in the trailer. 

While most fans speculate the “Stranger Things” star will portray Jean Grey (the only glimpse audiences have had is a set photo), rumors that she is playing Firestar or an alternate version of MJ have also swirled. Sink has kept her lips sealed about her character, even posting the trailer on Instagram with no caption.

5.MJ has grown, but so have her suspicions about Spider-Man

MJ has matured into her adult self. Though she was awkward and homely in high school, Zendaya’s character in “Brand New Day” bears more similarities now to her comic book, “You Just Hit the Jackpot,” counterpart. 

Now, she has a more traditional style. Sporting long hair (that may or may not be red), she is hosting a house party and has a new boyfriend (which Peter looks devastated about). These traits seem polar opposites of when audiences last saw her.

She also introduces herself to Peter as MJ when “meeting” him. In the first three films, she went by Michelle to new people.

But MJ seems close to figuring out who Spider-Man is. After all, she specifically remembers being with Spider-Man on the Statue of Liberty; she just doesn’t remember the circumstances. When Peter gives her flowers as a housewarming gift, a collage of Spider-Man photos hangs on her wall behind him, all connected by a red string. If Peter now photographs for the Daily Bugle, he may have even taken these himself. 

The trailer also features a fleeting shot of Spider-Man and MJ talking on a New York City balcony. They’re standing close together, but in the one-second clip, Spider-Man is lowering his head, seemingly in sadness or defeat. It already looks devastating.

6. It’s all about the transition to adulthood

Ned, Peter and MJ are all adults now, roughly 22, navigating the real world. Presumably, MJ and Ned have returned home to New York after graduating from MIT. Peter lives alone, doing menial tasks when not fighting crime, like washing his suit. 

Holland said in an interview at the Empire State Building that “Brand New Day” is all about finding yourself and evolving.

“It’s a movie about when young people really find their identity and become adults,” he said. “Having been through that as a person, it really gave me a great insight into how to bring Peter Parker to life with this new chapter that he’s embarking on.”