The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming sequel is said to be “darker” than previous installments, which is exciting news for many fans. While Marvel Studios has consistently included humor and a generally upbeat tone, the franchise isn’t unfamiliar with more serious themes. We’ve actually seen changes in tone even within sequel series, like with Thor, which moved from a dramatic, almost Shakespearean style to a much more comedic approach between films.
The franchise became notably darker last year with the official inclusion of Netflix’s “Defenders Saga” into MCU continuity. This brought six shows geared towards adult audiences, which delved into difficult topics like sexual assault, racism, trauma, and corruption. However, these serious and violent stories coexist within the same universe as the Avengers‘ action-packed adventures and She-Hulk‘s lighthearted legal cases. These connections are set to become even more prominent next year with Jon Bernthal reprising his role as The Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, making him the first character from the Netflix series to have a substantial role beyond a brief appearance in a major film.
A new report from DanielRPK suggests that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be a “much darker movie” compared to the previous “Home” trilogy. The film will feature several Marvel characters, including Hulk, Punisher, Scorpion, and Tombstone, each with a more complex and troubled side. This could be good news for fans who have been critical of the more comedic tone of recent Marvel Cinematic Universe films, as it appears the upcoming sequel is heading in a different direction.
According to an industry source, Brand New Day might draw inspiration from some of Spider-Man’s more intense storylines, like Kraven’s Last Hunt and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Good news for fans of The Punisher: Jon Bernthal is still set to play Frank Castle, and according to DanielRPK, he’ll remain a “murderous psycho,” but now he’ll have “tools to handle bigger threats,” including a tank and some high-tech equipment.
While The Punisher will remain a violent and ruthless character, he’ll now have resources to confront even greater dangers, such as a tank and cutting-edge technology.
No Way Home‘s final act showed fans a glimpse of a more serious and intense direction for the web-slinger, as the wild events of the Multiverse became truly heartbreaking. Once Norman Osborn released the Green Goblin, the MCU’s version of Spider-Man 3 started systematically destroying Peter Parker’s life, beginning with the death of Aunt May and culminating in everyone forgetting he even existed, isolating him from everyone he cared about.
Beyond No Way Home, Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker has explored difficult experiences in other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including being turned to dust by Thanos, witnessing Tony Stark’s death, and nearly being fatally injured by Vulture. Viewers can likely expect similar emotional depth and maturity when Brand New Day is released on July 31, 2026.
The news that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 will have a more serious tone is particularly good news for supporting characters like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. This is because both characters may benefit from a story that doesn’t rely as heavily on the often-criticized humor found in other Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
Why Spider-Man 4 Needed to Be a Darker Movie
The news that Spider-Man 4 will have a darker tone arrives as many fans are starting to feel fatigued by the consistent humor in the MCU. Considering all the heartbreaking things Peter Parker has experienced – losing loved ones and everything he cares about – it would seem out of place if he maintained his typically lighthearted and joking personality.
At perhaps the lowest point in his life, Spider-Man 4 could offer a fascinating opportunity for Peter Parker to cross paths with Frank Castle and face a serious moral challenge. Both of these Marvel crime fighters have essentially lost everything, and Brand New Day could delve into how they cope with grief and how that impacts their actions as heroes.
When No Way Home came out, Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, talked about how they were handling Spider-Man similarly to how Harry Potter was handled. This feels even more relevant now with Brand New Day, because many viewers have followed this version of Peter Parker for a long time and are now seeing his story evolve along with him.
Following The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel Studios is set to release two movies with a more serious tone consecutively. This pattern could repeat when Doctor Doom appears in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Could this mark the beginning of a darker pivot for the MCU’s future?
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2025-10-05 00:35