Marvel’s film universe (UCM) is about to take an exciting turn with the incorporation of Sydney Sweeney as Gwen Stacy in the next movieSpider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled to be released on July 31, 2026. According to recent publications in X, the star ofEuphoriayMadame WebIt will join the cast to play one of the most iconic characters in the Spider-Man universe, in a story that promises to redefine Peter Parker’s narrative after the events ofAvengers: Doomsday. This news has generated a stir among fans, who expect anxious to see how Sweeney will give life to Gwen Stacy in a UCM transformed by the multiverse.
The plot ofSpider-Man: Brand New DayIt develops in an altered world afterAvengers: Doomsday, where reality has been reconfigured and nobody seems to remember what life was like before. Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, tries to adapt to this new normality, looking for a “new day” without the complications of his past. It is in this context that he will meet Gwen Stacy, embodied by Sweeney, and Mary Jane Watson, whose actress has not yet been confirmed. The previous absence of these characters in the UCM is explained by the unification of different universes, an effect of the multiverse that has brought characters from other realities to the world of Peter. This premise opens a range of narrative possibilities, allowing to explore the dynamics between Peter, Gwen and Mary Jane in a fresh and unknown environment.
Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to the Spider-Man Universe. In 2024, he played Julia Cornwall, also known as Spider-Woman, inMadame Web, a movie from the Sony Spider-Man universe (SSU) that, although it did not achieve the expected success, highlighted its potential in the genre of superheroes. Rumors about their participation inSpider-Man: Brand New DayThey began to circulate in February 2025, when Insiders in X mentioned that Marvel Studios and Sony were considering Sweeney for a star paper, debating between Gwen Stacy and Black Cat. Finally, the most recent publications confirm that Gwen Stacy will be, a character that has been previously interpreted by Bryce Dallas Howard inSpider-Man 3(2007) and by Emma Stone in the films ofThe Amazing Spider-Man(2012-2014). Sweeney’s choice has been well received, with fans by praising its versatility and charisma in social networks.
The incorporation of Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane at the UCM marks a milestone in the Spider-Man saga. In the comics, Gwen is Peter Parker’s first love, whose tragic death at the hands of the Green Goblin left an indelible brand in its history. On the other hand, Mary Jane became her most durable partner, eventually her wife. The decision to introduce both inBrand New DayIt suggests an ambitious approach to explore Peter’s relationships in a renewed context. The multiverse, which already allowed the return of the Spider-Man of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield inSpider-Man: No Way Home(2021), offers a logical explanation for the appearance of these characters, integrating them as part of a universe merged after the events ofDoomsday.
The production ofSpider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, is generating very high expectations. The UCM has opted to expand its narrative through the Multiverse saga, and this film seems to be a key pillar in that strategy. In addition to Sweeney, it is rumored that Steven Yeun could interpret the villain, possibly Hobgoblin, according to fans speculations backed by comics. The film also promises to connect with other UCM projects, consolidating the presence of Spider-Man in a shared universe that now includes the X-Men and the Fantastic four.
Sweeney’s impact on UCM could extend beyond this film. His experience inMadame WebAnd his willingness to return to the Marvel universe, expressed in interviews where he mentioned his desire to work with Zendaya, suggest that he could have a prominent future like Gwen Stacy or even as Spider-Gwen in future projects. Meanwhile, fans discuss X on how their interpretation will be compared to Emma Stone’s, whose Gwen Stacy left an indelible mark. WithSpider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel and Sony seek not only to revitalize the Spider-Man franchise, but also pay tribute to their legacy in the comics, taking Peter Parker to a new chapter full of challenges, loves and adventures.
