Is SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Setting Up the Punisher as Leader of the Hand? — GeekTyrant
A photo snapped from the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows a tank marked with a strange, demonic symbol. At first glance, it screamed Inner Demons, which pointed toward Mister Negative. But sources say Mister Negative isn't part of this movie at all. So, what does that symbol really mean?
Fans have noted the resemblance to The Hand's iconic logo, and word is that The Punisher might be the one behind the wheel of that tank. If that's the case, Spider-Man: Brand New Day could be teeing up something huge for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially with Jon Bernthal back in action.
Adding more fuel to the fire, there's already talk about Japanese-inspired villains playing a role in the story. That makes The Hand a natural fit, especially if Marvel is planning to build into Daredevil: Born Again season 3. In the comics, Frank Castle didn't just fight The Hand, he led them. But not without a cost.
In that storyline, The Hand offers Frank leadership and the resurrection of his wife, Maria. He accepts, unleashing their deadly resources to take out major threats like Warlord, Hate-Monger, and the Apostles of War, an arms-dealing syndicate created by Ares, the Greek god of war. Frank also targets society's worst, executing murderers, rapists, and abusers who slipped through the cracks.
But it doesn't take long for Frank to see the cracks in The Hand's mission. They weren't just killing the guilty. Innocents were dying too. With immense effort, Frank broke free of their grip, but the story raised powerful questions about control, vengeance, and how far he'd go to clean up the world.
Could Spider-Man: Brand New Day weave this into Peter Parker's story? It's not impossible. After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home , Peter is completely alone in a world that's forgotten him.
If The Hand offered a way to bring back Aunt May, would he take it? That temptation could set up a darker, more complicated Peter, especially if he's forced to cross paths with Frank.
And then there's Matt Murdock. If Marvel is laying the groundwork for Shadowland , a story where Daredevil takes over The Hand, things could get even more intense. Frank might step into that role instead, possibly becoming the next big villain in Daredevil: Born Again .
It's a interesting direction, but signs are pointing that way, and if The Punisher really is set to lead The Hand, we might get some early clues in the upcoming Punisher Special Presentation . There's even a chance Frank could be killed and brought back by The Hand as their weapon. That would be wild.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ( Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ), Spider-Man: Brand New Day is written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker, joined by Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Michael Mando, and Liza Colón-Zayas.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31, 2026.
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