Credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel StudiosIs it over for this MCU star?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man trilogy, directed by Jon Watts, redefined the web-slinging hero’s journey by weaving Peter Parker into the broader MCU following his debut in Captain America: Civil War (2016).
Starring Tom Holland, the trilogy explores Peter’s growth from an eager, inexperienced hero to a battle-hardened Spider-Man, ready to shoulder the weight of responsibility. It began with Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), where Peter juggled high school life and his desire to prove himself under the watchful eye of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).
The saga continued with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), set in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame (2019). Grieving Tony Stark’s death, this chapter saw Peter embrace his role as a standalone hero, stepping out of Iron Man’s shadow. Spider-Man: No Way Home, the almost $2 billion hit, went full Multiverse with the inclusion of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parkers.
With its seamless integration into the MCU and nostalgic nods to past Spider-Man films, Jon Watts’ trilogy cemented Tom Holland’s Spider-Man as a definitive version of the beloved character for a new generation.
Despite Holland once saying he hoped he wasn’t playing Spider-Man into his thirties and that another version of the character–maybe Miles Morales–would take over, the British star will be 30 when the fourth entry in the franchise releases in late July 2026.
After confirming that discussions were happening for Spider-Man 4 before being shut down by the overlapping Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes, Holland told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that Spider-Man 4 was officially a go.
The fourth movie has yet to receive a title, but it will air just two months after the Russo Brothers bring MCU fans back to the world of the Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Due to the proximity of the two movies, Tom Holland is expected to reprise his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Doomsday alongside Robert Downey Jr. (Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom) and Chris Evans. The latter is rumored to be playing a new version of Steve Rogers in the fifth Avengers movie–Nomad.
Little is known about what direction Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man 4 will take, but after Jon Watts confirmed that the MCU trilogy is essentially a long retelling of the classic Peter Parker origin story, producer Amy Pascal hinted at how the fourth movie will expand on everyone forgetting him.
“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,” the producer told Deadline. “So that’s what the movie’s about… There’s room to grow.”
The trilogy reached its emotional peak with Spider-Man: No Way Home. After Peter’s identity is exposed, his attempt to restore anonymity with Doctor Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) help tears open the Multiverse, inviting villains from previous Spider-Man franchises into the MCU.
Fans rejoiced as Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus, and other iconic foes returned, alongside Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprising their roles as alternate Spider-Men. The film concludes with Peter making the ultimate sacrifice, erasing himself from everyone’s memory to protect the ones he loves- including his girlfriend, Michelle “MJ” Jones, played by Zendaya.
With a role of increasing capacity, Zendaya’s MJ has become a staple of the MCU. However, new reports signal that the Hollywood star’s main role will be “severely reduced.”
“According to well-known scooper Jeff Sneider, Zendaya’s role as MJ will be “severely reduced” in Spider-Man 4,” The Direct writes. “While Sneider noted she is in the upcoming film, her role is now described as “minor” largely due to her conflicting schedule.”
Zendaya indeed has a jam-packed schedule in the coming months and year, with HBO’s Euphoria Season 3, Dune 3, and Christopher Nolan’s next movie—which Tom Holland is also attached to star in—on the cards. As Tom Holland confirmed on The Tonight Show, Spider-Man 4 is set to start filming next year.
The potential reduced capacity for Zendaya’s MJ correlates to the rumored inclusion of Gwen Stacy in the fourth movie. While Gwen Stacy’s involvement has not been confirmed, the reported working title of the movie—”Blue Oasis”—seemingly references a major part of the Spider-Man mythos.
“‘Spider-Man: Blue’ was a comic written by Jeph Loeb in 2002 that ran for six issues. The story is set on Valentine’s Day and presents a Spider-Man who feels “blue” or depressed as he sits atop the Brooklyn Bridge,” The Cosmic Circus acknowledged in late November. “The story retells how Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy first met and fell in love in a beautifully told story that melts even the coldest of hearts.”
Before Spider-Man 4‘s debut in 2026, Marvel fans will see the end of Phase Five, with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* in 2025, before Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) launches Phase Six in July. Following that, Avengers: Doomsday is on the cards for May ahead of Spider-Man 4.
In a recent announcement, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also confirmed that Black Panther 3 was officially in the works after commenting on Nate Moore’s exit from the studio. The longstanding producer has been with Marvel for 14 years and will exit following Captain America: Brave New World.
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