A major 2026 Marvel Cinematic Universe release may not feature a beloved and familiar face after all.
Currently filming in Glasgow, Scotland, with real-life webslinging, Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) will officially see Tom Holland return to the MCU (in collaboration with Sony Pictures, of course).
Joining Holland will be Zendaya and Jacob Batalon as MJ and Ned Leeds, although reports suggest that the former will be appearing in a reduced role due to other filming commitments. Making her MCU debut will be Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in a currently undisclosed role. As the cast continues to grow, it turns out that one of the most anticipated superhero team-ups in Marvel history won’t be happening just yet.
Despite growing speculation, Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock–better known as Daredevil–will reportedly not be appearing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The news comes from an industry insider (via The Direct) who has effectively shut down rumors of the blind vigilante joining Peter Parker on the big screen in 2026.
For fans who’ve followed Daredevil’s recent MCU journey — from his brief but unforgettable cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, his appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and gritty return in Echo, and his starring role in Daredevil: Born Again — this feels like a missed opportunity. Many had hoped the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen would finally fight side-by-side with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, especially given their deep connection in Marvel Comics. But it appears Marvel Studios has other plans.
Instead, Brand New Day will spotlight Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher. Fresh from his supporting role in Daredevil: Born Again, Castle will reportedly have a bigger part to play in Spider-Man’s next adventure. This marks another step in Marvel’s ongoing push to bring street-level heroes into the cinematic spotlight–only this time, without Daredevil in the mix.
The decision may not be as surprising as it sounds. Brand New Day is shaping up to be a loaded film, re-establishing Peter Parker’s solo world after the universe-altering events of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Alongside Punisher’s debut, rumors point to the arrival of a savage Hulk and a fresh spin on J. Jonah Jameson’s Daily Bugle. Adding Daredevil could risk overcrowding the narrative, and Marvel appears to be playing the long game by keeping him on the sidelines at least for now.
That long game is worth considering, especially when looking at the MCU’s current trajectory. So far in 2025, Marvel has kept a steady release schedule, starting with Thunderbolts* in May, the Disney+ miniseries Ironheart in June, and the retro-futuristic The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. The latest addition was Eyes of Wakanda in early August, which will be followed by the mature-rated Marvel Zombies in October, and Wonder Man closing out the year in December. The latter will reside under Marvel Television’s Marvel Spotlight banner.
Following those releases, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will swing into theaters on July 31, 2026, just months before Avengers: Doomsday lands in December. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Doomsday promises to unite the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Wakandans, and the original X-Men against Doctor Doom. Then, in December 2027, the saga concludes with Avengers: Secret Wars.
If Marvel is saving the Spider-Man/Daredevil pairing, these massive crossover films could be the perfect place for it. The idea of Matt Murdock’s grounded heroics colliding with Multiversal chaos is exactly the kind of payoff Marvel is known for, and it would explain why they’re holding him back from Brand New Day.
For now, fans will have to imagine what could have been, while keeping a close eye on what’s still to come. Marvel loves to play the long game, and when Daredevil finally does meet Spider-Man on the big screen, it might just be in a moment worthy of the wait.
The report that Charlie Cox, who recently voiced the leading role in the critically-acclaimed “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” video game, won’t be appearing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day comes after another report that A-list star Pedro Pascal had exited the Avengers: Doomsday filming process amid the First Steps box office decline.
How do you feel about the lack of Daredevil in the presumably street-level Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie? Let us know in the comments down below!
