Everything we know about Spider-Man 4

Tom Holland is set to return to play Spider-Man in a new Marvel film, despite the actor’s concerns that he might be getting too old for the role. It’s unclear who else, if anyone, from previous Spider-Man films will return.

At the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Holland’s Peter Parker had caused the multiverse to implode and to save it from total collapse he made Doctor Strange erase the universe’s memory of Peter Parker.

The film ended with Parker unable to connect with his girlfriend MJ or best friend Ned. The story picking up and seeing how he copes without them might be interesting but given the easy chemistry that Holland shares with both Zendaya and Jacob Batalon the film might try to work them into it.

Read more: Every upcoming MCU movie

Holland has expressed an interest in introducing Miles Morales into the MCU as a successor to Parker, and given Morales’ uncle Aaron Davis was shown in Homecoming played by Donald Glover, it’s entirely possible that Morales could take over as the friendly neighbourhood superhero.

With audiences gearing up to take another spin with Spidey as the character’s entire live-action franchise returns to UK cinemas, it’s clear that audiences are parched for more Peter Parker.

With that in mind, here's what we know so far about Spider-Man 4...

When will Spider-Man 4 be released?

The next Spider-Man film does not yet have a release date. Holland last played the superhero in 2021 blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Marvel boss Kevin Feige announced in February 2023 that the story of a fourth Spider-Man film was already set and that writers are putting pen to paper, so it could mean that the film will come sooner rather than later.

Speaking to the Critics Choice Association in December 2023, Holland indicated that he’d love to return to Spidey’s tights – if they can find the “right” story to tell.

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He said: “I won’t make another one for the sake of making another one. It will have to be worth the while of the character... But that said, if we can figure that out, I would be a fool not to put the suit back on again because I owe everything to Spider-Man. I love the character and the people I get to work with.”

He provided an update in a chat with Deadline in April 2024, saying that “everyone wants it to happen” and that Marvel has “the best in the business” working on the film.

“The simple answer is that I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films,” he said. “I owe my life and career to Spider-Man. So the simple answer is yes. I’ll always want to do more.”

He added: “We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be. But until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect. The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.”

Jacob Batalon who plays Peter’s best friend Ned Leeds, kept his cards close to his chest in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in May 2024.

“Well, my friends definitely hear [the Spider-Man 4 rumours],” he said. “My friends are always asking me questions, but personally, I don’t really hear anything. I only hear things that possibly could happen, but I don’t really pay attention to rumours.”

What is the plot of Spider-Man 4?

One of the criticisms of the previous MCU Spidey films is that he’s always been dependant on a mentor figure be it Iron Man, Nick Fury or Doctor Strange. Now the universe has no idea who Peter Parker is, he could break out into his own, and the inclusion of J. Jonah Jameson played by J.K. Simmons means that public perception of Spider-Man could be shaky at best.

How much, or how little, the plot will factor into the multiverse saga is yet to be seen as Holland hasn’t confirmed any involvement in a Marvel film since No Way Home, but given that film introduced the concept of the multiverse it would be only natural for him to appear.

Who is making Spider-Man 4?

It’s unclear is Jon Watts will return to director another Spider-Man film. Watts was previously attached to director Marvel’s Fantastic Four before stepping down to take a break from superhero films. It might be that Feige and co will look for a new director to take on this new trilogy of films. Watts was the first director to complete a trilogy of films in the MCU, with Peyton Reed becoming the second with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in 2023.

Whoever does get the directing and writing gig will have to grapple with Parker choosing a life away from those he loves and hopefully going more towards the friendly neighbourhood side of things that always made the comics and early Sam Raimi films so enjoyable.

Spider-Man 4 is currently in development at Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures.