Kevin Feige spills new Spider-Man 4 details, including a grounded storyline and The Punisher’s involvement. Find out what it means for the MCU!
Marvel fans, get excited. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is officially returning to the streets of New York City. Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, has addressed Spider-Man 4 after some silence and gave us a grounded, gritty story type to expect and revealed a fan-favorite surprise: the Punisher is back, and he’s got a large role to play.
A New Era Has Begun: From Multiverse to the Streets
Feige’s comments signal a key shift in narrative focus for the Marvel Universe. After years of multiverse craziness with Doctor Strange, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Marvel is heading back to basics.
This news lines up perfectly with Spider-Man’s status after No Way Home. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) now has his identity erased from everyone’s memory, and he lost Aunt May — so he really is alone now and back in a homemade suit and without Stark tech.
This is certainly a blank canvas, and Marvel is going to use the opportunity to reframe Spider-Man back to his roots as a friendly neighborhood hero, but facing off against street crimes, corruption, and underground villains, rather than cosmic threats.
Spider-Man 4 Plot: Here’s What We Know
Feige didn’t reveal the entire plot – this is Marvel, after all – but he let on, just enough, to ramp up excitement.
1. A Street Level Crime Drama
The working story of Spider-Man 4 focuses on organized crime in New York, and it is getting a serious boost in notoriety with the disappearance of Hawkeye, Echo, and Daredevil: Born Again.
Peter Parker reportedly has a showdown against Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) – portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio – who is taking advantage of recent events to take control of the city’s underground crime.
You can expect tons of intense hand-to-hand combat, dark alleyway chase scenes, and all-out gang warfare. This Spider-Man is up against emotional and physical limits, and he will have little to no backup, resources, or a support system.
2. No Avengers – Just Spidey
Feige has been insistent that Spider-Man 4 is not a backdoor team-up movie.
It will not be about saving the multiverse, it will be about saving the neighbors – something that some fans have been yearning for since Homecoming.
The Punisher’s Surprising Return: Jon Bernthal Returns
The one big surprise? Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is officially coming back, and he’s not just a minor character – he’s a significant part of the plot in Spider-Man 4.
Why the Punisher?
This ideological conflict is likely the main centerpiece of the movie. Peter is still a believer in hope and redemption. Frank Castle believes in one shot justice. Their opposing world views will clash violently while both are pursuing the same target: Kingpin.
Punisher’s Place: Ally or Antagonist?
Although the initial word was that the Punisher may act as an ally, it seems Feige teased otherwise.
Think Batman vs. Superman, but at a more grizzly and intimate level. Frank Castle sees Peter’s approach as naive, and Peter sees Castle as a monster. This tension will be driving the plot – and likely lead to some of the most intense interactions the MCU has ever seen.
Reprising and New Faces
Confirmed & Rumored Cast So Far:
Tom Holland – Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Confirmed)
Jon Bernthal – Frank Castle / The Punisher (Confirmed)
Vincent D’Onofrio – Wilson Fisk / Kingpin (Rumored, Very Likely)
Charlie Cox – Matt Murdock / Daredevil (Rumored)
Zendaya – MJ Watson (Not Confirmed)
Will MJ and Ned Be Back?
While No Way Home ended with MJ and Ned forgetting who Peter is, Feige hinted that “they’re stories aren’t over.” But, any reunion will be slow-burning – and complicated.
There is some fan speculation that MJ could play more of a supportive role in Spider-Man 4, where we see Peter watch her from a distance without any ability to reintroduce himself for fear that it puts her in danger again.
Street-Level MCU: A New Phase in the Works
Spider-Man 4 looks to be the lynchpin in Marvel’s Street-Level Universe that includes:
Daredevil: Born Again
Echo
Moon Knight Season 2 (rumored)
The Punisher
Spider-Man 4
This more intimate focus is what fans are calling “Marvel’s Gritty Reboot” — and it has been said by internal sources that it is absolutely intentional.
When Will Spider-Man 4 Come Out?
There is no official release date, necessarily, but sources suggest it will likely be in late 2025 or early 2026. It has been indicated that shooting will begin early next year once the script — which Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers are co-developing — is finalized.
Will Spider-Man 4 lead into Avengers: Secret Wars?
Feige eludes that Spider-Man 4 will be standalone, but will not neglect the broader MCU. There may be post-credit scenes for when Peter eventually returns to the MCU in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Why Spider-Man 4 Could Save the MCU
With superhero fatigue setting in, Spider-Man 4 just might be the turning point Marvel needs.
It’s grounded: No multiverse, no portals — just nothing but love, pain, and punches.
It’s character-driven: Peter’s personal journey is central to the story.
It brings back iconic actors: Along with Peter Parker, the Punisher, Kingpin, and possibly Daredevil will return.
It highlights the unclear line between vigilante and trauma, and the impact on real-world beings.
In closing, we might just be starting to see the rise of street-level superheroes
Final Thoughts: The Rise of Street-Level Heroes
Kevin Feige ignited a new spark in the MCU — and the fan bases are ready. With Spider-Man 4, Marvel is offering concrete, opposed to cosmic, and soul, opposed to spectacle. This is the Spider-Man story we have been waiting for: raw, real, and unapologetically human.
FAQs
1. Is Spider-Man 4 officially announced by Marvel?
While there is no official title or release date from Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige confirmed that Spider-Man 4 is in development and Tom Holland will return to the role of Peter Parker.
2. Will Tom Holland return as Spider-Man in Spider-Man 4?
Yes, Tom Holland will return as Peter Parker. Both Feige and Holland confirmed this during the run of the last Spider-Man film.
3. What will Spider-Man 4 be about?
Spider-Man 4 will be a street-level crime story and will include Peter Parker dealing with more of the criminal underworld of New York, especially Kingpin (without any Avengers or Stark technology).
4. Is the Punisher actually going to be in Spider-Man 4?
Yes! Jon Bernthal returns as Frank Castle/The Punisher. The Punisher will have a significant role in the story and will likely challenge Spider-Man’s values.
5. Is Kingpin going to be the main villain in Spider-Man 4?
There is no official confirmation yet, but strong speculation suggests that Kingpin (Wilson Fisk, played by Vincent D’Onofrio) will be the main villain, judging by the clues dropped by Kevin Feige.
6. Is Daredevil going to be in Spider-Man 4?
There is no confirmation, but it is likely that Charlie Cox’s Daredevil will appear, given the street-level connection and the story involving Kingpin.
7. Is Spider-Man 4 going to be connected to the Multiverse Saga or Avengers: Secret Wars?
Spider-Man 4 is going to be primarily a stand-alone, grounded story; however, the post-credit scenes may link Spider-Man to a larger MCU era like Secret Wars.