'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Could Finally Set Up This Surprise Villain
When it comes to Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), there are already one too many teasers for the possible villains who'll be joining the movie. The original teaser trailer gave us a glimpse of Mac Gargan/Scorpion, Fred Myers/Boomerang, Anton Miguel Rodriguez/Tarantula, Frank Castle/The Punisher, possibly Harry Osborn, and Miles Warren/Jackal. We also still have no information on who Sadie Sink will play, and because of his ties to Spider-Man in general, fans are also under the impression that we'll somehow see Venom. But after CinemaCon in Las Vegas, a new villain has entered the chat—or, rather, the setup of one.
Fans and critics alike are speculating that we may finally see Hobgoblin also appear on our screens, with the understanding that Ned is aware of Spider-Man. Longtime comic readers know that while the character of Ned Leeds is significantly different in the MCU than in the comics, it doesn't change the fact that some stories may still become a reality, even if they're altered.
Why 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Could Set Up Ned Leeds As Hobgoblin
As a writer, the rule of Chekhov's gun has long haunted me. Sometimes things are meaningless, sure, but more often than not, especially in a drama, sci-fi, or fantasy, words matter. Because of this rule, I could never forget the words, "I promise you. I won't turn into a supervillain and try to kill you" from Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). From a writing standpoint, the cards are all laid bare for us to see that it'd make for an excellent story.
When Ned makes that promise, he's wholeheartedly truthful. The thought of betraying Peter is a stab to his own chest because Peter isn't just his best friend, he's like a brother to him. They've been through so much together that learning about how the other two Peters were betrayed by their "Ned" is an immediate terror that clings to him.
Peter also knows that Ned could never do this, and Jacob Batalon's performance cements the belief with an honest declaration that's both in character and completely believable. But in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are prophesies for a reason. Occurrences in every universe that are essentially unavoidable. Tom Holland's Peter Parker never had an Uncle Ben to lose, but he had Aunt May—and he lost her. He lost the closest adult living relative to him after also losing the closest male father figure, Tony Stark, in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
The betrayal is next on the list of narratives that are almost inescapable for our boy. In the footage people discussed during CinemaCon, Ned knows who Spider-Man is, but he obviously doesn't know it's Peter Parker. The obsessive quest could lead to his mind becoming more vulnerable, which would then allow for the opportune moment where he could meet the temptation of the Hobgoblin. It's happened in the comics before. Mark Hamill has also donned the costume before. And while the villain isn't as prominent as the Green Goblin, its importance in the story is still relevant and could present itself with even more depth in this universe.
Ultimately, because we have a number of villains teased to make an appearance in Brand New Day, what's one more added to the mix? Especially if it could help bring back all that was lost in No Way Home, even if we have to jump through horrible hoops to get there.
If The Theory Is True, Peter And Ned's Friendship Could Still Survive It
We already know that Ned could open portals, so the ability to wield magic is inside him. Losses and heartache are the very things that often lead people down the path of villainy, so the idea of him becoming Hobgoblin makes sense. What's also comforting is that, unlike the powers of the Green Goblin, the Hobgoblin doesn't alter the person's mental state as drastically. Ned also isn't Harry Osborn, nor is he Norman. He's Ned Leeds, and in this universe, he is Spider-Man's best friend.
If the transformation happens, there's a good chance Peter will fully understand exactly why, and he'll be aware of his former best friend's intentions. It's not him; it's the circumstances. It's the situation. It's the powers. And maybe even, it's a prophecy. But the friendships in this universe stand out even more than they did in other Spider-Man stories, so we can be confident in the fact that they'll bounce back from it once memories are restored.
While the Ned we'll reunite with in Brand New Day won't be the one we left behind in No Way Home, the writing for the three films prior now has proven that he's the closest person Peter Parker can trust. He's one of the good ones, and a temporary fall won't lead to colossal damage because deep down, that's not who he is.
