Florence Pugh’s Black Widow Rumored to Appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Marvel fans may have even more reason to be excited about Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Multiple reports suggest that Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, better known as the new Black Widow, will appear in the upcoming MCU installment alongside Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. If confirmed, it would mark her first time sharing the screen with Spider-Man, joining a star-studded lineup that includes Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, and Sadie Sink in an undisclosed role.

While Pugh’s appearance is expected to be brief—likely a cameo—it may serve as a setup for a much larger role in Avengers: Doomsday, where Yelena Belova is rumored to have significant involvement.

Florence Pugh’s Expanding MCU Role

Pugh first entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Widow (2021), portraying Natasha Romanoff’s sister, Yelena. Since then, she has quickly become a central character in Marvel’s next generation of heroes. Following her film debut, she returned in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, where her chemistry with Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop earned fan acclaim.

More recently, Pugh reprised her role in Thunderbolts, positioning Yelena as one of the leading figures in Marvel’s Phase Five. Her presence is set to grow further with her confirmed role in the upcoming animated project Marvel Zombies. With Brand New Day now added to her list of appearances, Pugh seems firmly established as a key player in the MCU’s evolving narrative.

Filming Updates and Leaks

Production for Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially wrapped in London, and leaks from the set have only fueled excitement. Early photos revealed Tom Holland sporting an updated Spider-Man suit, giving fans a glimpse of his new look in action. These leaks, paired with news of other returning and debuting characters, have amplified anticipation across the Marvel fandom.

The confirmed inclusion of Ruffalo and Bernthal suggests that Spider-Man will once again be interacting with characters from outside his usual corner of the MCU. Fans have already expressed excitement about seeing Peter Parker share scenes with both the Hulk and the Punisher—a dynamic combination that promises a fresh, street-level perspective for the franchise.

Villains on the Rise

Michael Mando, who previously appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming, is set to reprise his role as Mac Gargan, better known as Scorpion. His return has been long anticipated, and it appears the villain will finally step into a major role.

Reports also suggest that other classic Spider-Man adversaries will make appearances, including Tombstone and Boomerang. In addition, persistent rumors hint that Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin could have a cameo, potentially weaving Brand New Day more closely into the larger MCU narrative established in Daredevil: Born Again.

A Grounded Storyline Leading Into Avengers: Doomsday

Unlike the previous trilogy of Spider-Man films, which leaned heavily on multiverse concepts and large-scale threats, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will reportedly take a more grounded, street-level approach. This direction echoes the tone of Marvel’s Netflix series, centering Spider-Man in New York’s underworld while dealing with crime bosses and vigilantes rather than cosmic threats.

The film is slated as the second entry in Phase Six of the MCU, directly leading into Avengers: Doomsday. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the movie is set for worldwide release on July 31, 2026. With a darker tone, expanded cast, and ties to future Marvel blockbusters, Brand New Day is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated superhero films of the decade.