Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Ending Sets Up a Major MCU Phase 7 Movie

Every single chapter in Tom Holland’s initial Marvel Cinematic Universe trilogy concludes with a paradigm-shifting revelation for Peter Parker. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) uncovers her nephew’s secret persona. By the climax of Spider-Man: Far From Home, the entire globe becomes privy to his identity. Finally, the resolution of Spider-Man: No Way Home features a mystical incantation by Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) that completely erases Peter from everyone’s memory.

Conversely, Spider-Man: Brand New Day eschews such dramatic narrative upheavals. Instead, the narrative achieves a remarkably grounded resolution, offering audiences a clear understanding of the web-slinger’s current standing. Nevertheless, the film leaves behind several compelling narrative threads worthy of deeper analysis.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: Brand New Day

What happens to Spider-Man at the end of Brand New Day?

Examining our titular hero first, Peter ultimately recognizes that maintaining total isolation for his friends’ safety is taking a heavy psychological toll. While his initial instinct after the events of No Way Home was to protect Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya) by keeping his distance, he ultimately shifts his perspective. Although MJ pieces together their romantic history via the unsent letter left behind in the previous film, Peter takes the initiative to reintroduce himself to Ned. Their reunion culminates in a heartfelt exchange featuring their classic high school handshake. Remarkably, Ned’s memory instantly triggers, effectively bypassing Strange’s powerful spell and signaling a triumphant return to their tight-knit friendship.

The situation with MJ remains somewhat more ambiguous. Although she explicitly states she harbors no romantic feelings for Peter at present, her demeanor leaves the door open for future possibilities. While her invitation is merely to hang out at the apartment she shares with Ned rather than anything more intimate, the potential for their dynamic to shift certainly remains—especially given hints that her current partner leaves much to be desired.

What happens to Bill Metzger at the end of Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

As for the true antagonist of the feature—Department of Damage Control Director Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman)—he manages to slip away cleanly amidst the chaos following Peter’s accidental shooting by the Punisher. While his eventual return feels inevitable, the Department of Damage Control will undoubtedly undergo substantial restructuring moving forward (hopefully cutting ties with the Hand in the process).

What happens to Bruce Banner and The Punisher at the end of Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) presumably returns to academia following his latest gamma-fueled rampage, though prospective students might think twice before signing up for his lectures. Meanwhile, the Punisher (Jon Bernthal)—having forged an unexpected bond with the wall-crawler—likely retreats to his heavily fortified sanctuary to enjoy a warm bowl of chili, his hardened exterior perhaps slightly softened after nearly ending Peter’s life by mistake.

What happens to Jean Grey at the end of Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

Undoubtedly, the most intriguing conclusion belongs to Jean Grey (Sadie Sink). Having discovered that her sister perished due to the Department of Damage Control’s illicit human experimentation, she finds herself entirely isolated except for her newfound alliance with Spider-Man. According to the Punisher’s final debrief, Jean utilized her telepathy to sustain Peter’s consciousness until his physical body regenerated. Once he fully recovered, she quietly departed the metropolis aboard an outbound bus toward an undisclosed destination.

However, the deliberate framing of the bus departure offers a fascinating visual clue. Captured via a high-angle shot, the vehicle travels vertically toward the upper boundary of the frame—a subtle cinematic language strongly implying a journey toward upstate New York, the traditional site of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Although the formal existence of Professor X in this current cinematic timeline remains unconfirmed, the specific camera direction feels purposefully deliberate, especially given that Jean is entirely devoid of alternative sanctuary.

Answers may take time to materialize. Avengers: Doomsday appears poised to focus heavily on the mutant roster inherited from Fox’s previous cinematic universe, meaning cramming a brand-new iteration of the X-Men alongside the legacy cast might prove overly ambitious. (Then again, considering neither of the previous actresses to portray Jean under the Fox banner are currently attached to Doomsday, the slate remains entirely open.)

Ultimately, her final destination—and the inevitable introduction of a fresh Charles Xavier—will come to light in due time. When that day arrives, however, let us hope the character embraces his iconic baldness from the outset. No disrespect to James McAvoy, who delivered a commendable performance as Professor X, but it took an exorbitant number of cinematic outings for him to finally adopt the character’s signature look.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is playing in theaters now.

Source: Polygon