Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and producer Amy Pascal are no strangers to superhero blockbusters, but even they were blown away by what director Destin Daniel Cretton delivered with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In a new interview, the duo revealed that after watching the director's cut, they literally stood up and cheered.
“It was the first time that Kevin and I stood up after a director's cut and cheered,” Pascal told Collider. “That's how good it was. That's how good Destin is.” The film, which swings into theaters July 31, picks up four years after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and finds Peter Parker grappling with the devastating fallout of his sacrifice—everyone he loves has forgotten him.
Feige and Pascal also confirmed that Brand New Day takes place before Avengers: Doomsday, placing it squarely in the MCU timeline. The film introduces Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in a highly secretive role, alongside Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Feige teased that the secrecy around Sink's character is all about preserving the best opening weekend experience for audiences. “Secrets and spoilers!” he said. “It's really just whenever we try to hold back on anything, it's purely for the best opening weekend experience.”
Pascal emphasized that every character in the film serves Peter's story. “We've done something different this time than we've done before, and we're pleased with how it came out,” she said. “The thing about her character, which is true of all the characters in the movie, is that they're all helping to tell Peter's story.” For more on Sink's role, check out our deep dive: Sadie Sink on Her Secret Spider-Man Role: 'Even More Intense' Than Stranger Things.
Feige also praised Cretton for pulling visual inspiration from classic Spider-Man comics and even the PlayStation game. “Destin did a very good job, as you can tell, of pulling from the comics, pulling from very specific comic covers, as you saw, and even the PlayStation game,” Feige said. “That has added to the visual language of Spider-Man in such an amazing way.” For fans wanting to prep, we've compiled Essential Spider-Man Comics to Read Before 'Brand New Day'.
As for Tom Holland's future as Spider-Man—he's been playing the role for a decade—Pascal said each movie must stand on its own. “I think each movie has to be its own thing, no matter what,” she said. “From the very beginning, Kevin and I have been working together on these movies, we realized this morning, for 27 years, and every time we set out to...” The duo didn't rule out another trilogy, but they're focused on making every chapter count.
Looking ahead, Feige teased a major Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, where fans might hear updates on Black Panther 3 (which could begin filming next year) and the X-Men reboot directed by Jake Schreier. “Listen, you probably know as good a tease as I do in terms of the fact that when we go to Hall H, it's for a reason, and it's to have some surprises and show a few things,” Feige said. “It's our home away from home, Hall H, so I'm very excited to be heading back.”
With Brand New Day promising a darker, more grounded take on Spider-Man—and a villain that appears completely invisible—fans have plenty to be excited about. The film also marks the first time Feige and Pascal have publicly acknowledged the 10-year relationship between Sony and Marvel, which began with Spider-Man: Homecoming. For more on the MCU's future, read about the Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Reveals 'Time Runs Out' Adaptation—The Most Devastating Marvel Story Yet.
