New Spider-Man rumor hints at Norman Osborn's MCU debut
According to trusted insider DanielRPK, Marvel Studios is planning to introduce Osborn into the MCU timeline, though it's unclear whether he'll first appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day or a future installment.
While previous Spider-Man films in the MCU have focused on lesser-known villains like Mysterio, Vulture, and Shocker, fans have long awaited the arrival of classic rogues like Norman Osborn. Spider-Man: No Way Home teased the character's presence through Willem Dafoe's return as a multiversal Green Goblin, but many fans saw it as a missed opportunity for a fully integrated version of Osborn in the MCU continuity.
The potential introduction of a new Norman Osborn could open fascinating storylines—particularly if Peter Parker, now aware of Osborn's villainous fate in other universes, tries to prevent it. Some theories even suggest Peter's interference may lead to someone else, such as Ned Leeds or Harry Osborn, becoming the new Green Goblin instead.
Adding to the intrigue, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is already rumored to feature crossovers with characters like the Punisher and a more savage version of the Hulk. Introducing Norman Osborn in this complex web of narratives could elevate the stakes significantly.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. As speculation swirls, fans eagerly await official confirmation on whether the MCU is finally ready to unleash its own version of the Green Goblin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Tom Holland hints at bold new approach for next Spider-Man movie
Tom Holland is giving fans something to chew on ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In a rare move for a Marvel actor, Holland opened up about the new direction the film is taking, and it's all about going old school. In an interview with Flip Your Wig, Holland reflected on the limitations faced while filming No Way Home during the pandemic. 'We were really restricted… we shot the entire film on stages,' he shared. This time, however, they're heading outside. 'We're really gonna lean into that old school filmmaking and shoot in real locations,' Holland said. One of those real locations? The streets of Glasgow, which will host a major action set piece. 'It's gonna feel like a breath of fresh air, and I think the fans are gonna be over the moon,' Holland added. Though details about the plot remain under wraps, this marks the first substantial update on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is scheduled to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. Marvel fans will also see Jon Bernthal's Punisher in the film, adding another layer of excitement to the already anticipated sequel. While Holland didn't spill major spoilers, his comments offer insight into both the production approach and his enthusiasm for the next chapter. And for fans who missed the kinetic energy of real-world set pieces in recent superhero films, this throwback to practical locations might be exactly what they've been hoping for.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Fantastic Four: First Steps aims to save Marvel with streaming stars and bold shake-up
Marvel Studios is betting big on Fantastic Four: First Steps, a bold franchise reboot set to premiere on July 25, 2025. After two failed film adaptations in 2005 and 2015, Marvel's latest effort brings a dramatic shift—casting a new generation of stars from major streaming platforms to revive the iconic superhero team. Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) leads as Mister Fantastic, alongside Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as The Thing, and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm. Julia Garner, best known for her Emmy-winning role in Ozark, portrays a gender-swapped Silver Surfer, while The Office alum Ralph Ineson takes on the role of Galactus. This unconventional casting marks a significant departure from Marvel's traditional reliance on blockbuster film stars, instead spotlighting streaming darlings with strong fanbases. The move reflects Marvel's evolving strategy to tap into younger, digitally native audiences as part of its ambitious Phase Six roadmap. The reboot's retro-futuristic tone, directed by Game of Thrones veteran Matt Shakman, pays homage to the original 1960s comic roots while setting the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The film also makes bold character choices—Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm is pregnant, and Garner's Silver Surfer breaks gender norms—signaling Marvel's push for fresh storytelling. Following a string of lackluster performances at the box office, Fantastic Four: First Steps is being positioned not just as a reboot, but as a lifeline for Marvel's cinematic universe. With a dynamic cast and bold new vision, the studio hopes this team can finally deliver the Fantastic Four film fans have been waiting for.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Tall order for 'Superman'
Superman is often called upon to save the world from evildoers, but in his latest big-screen incarnation, he's also being asked to swoop in and save a franchise, as per AFP. James Gunn's Superman, which opened in theaters worldwide this week, is a reboot aimed at relaunching the so-called DC Universe of comic book-based superhero movies, which also features Wonder Woman and Batman. The celluloid efforts of Warner Bros and DC Studios have been widely eclipsed by Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe - the world of Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther and the Fantastic Four, who are getting their own reboot later this month. "Warner Bros has invested a lot of energy and money in trying to refocus and renew DC Studios, and this is going to be the big release from that," analyst David A Gross from Franchise Entertainment Research told AFP. The heavy task falls on the shoulders of Gunn, the writer-director who won praise from fans of the genre with Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. The film's rollout has already encountered several headwinds, including a right-wing backlash to Gunn's comments on Superman's role as an immigrant, and skepticism from fans of the previous Superman films helmed by director Zack Snyder. Gunn has shrugged off the high stakes surrounding the movie's box office success. "Is there something riding on it? Yeah, but it's not as big as people make it out to be," he told GQ Magazine. "They hear these numbers that the movie's only going to be successful if it makes $700 million or something and it's just complete and utter nonsense." The hype around the movie is real — the White House even superimposed President Donald Trump onto one of the movie's official posters with the caption "THE SYMBOL OF HOPE. TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY. SUPERMAN TRUMP." 'A diminished genre' Warner Bros hopes the DC Universe can catch up with Marvel which -— after years of huge successes with the Avengers films — has seen more muted box office returns with the recent Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World. Gross explained that superhero films hit a peak right before the Covid-19 pandemic, with box office earnings and audience enthusiasm waning ever since that time. "It's really a diminished genre," Gross said. However, the analyst said early buzz for Superman was "really good." The film stars up-and-comer David Corenswet as the new Superman/Clark Kent, with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan playing love interest Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as arch-villain Lex Luthor. The story follows the Man of Steel coming to terms with his alien identity as he finds his place in the human world. The supporting cast boasts a selection of other DC Comics characters, from the peacekeeping Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) — who is scheduled to reprise the role in upcoming TV series Lanterns — to the mace-wielding Hawkgirl. Gross noted that July "is the top moviegoing month of the year," leading tracking estimates to forecast a total of more than $100 million for the film's opening weekend in North America. 'The story of America' DC Studios however must shake off a reputation for producing mediocre films that did not score well with audiences. The last round of "DC Extended Universe" films included the well-liked Wonder Woman (2017) starring Gal Gadot - but also box office flops like Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and the under-performing Aquaman sequel with Jason Momoa. "The success was mixed, and they were spending a lot of money on some of the new spinoff characters who were not working particularly well," Gross said, pointing at 2021's The Suicide Squad — directed by Gunn — as an example. The last films featuring Superman, starring Henry Cavill and directed by Snyder, were relatively successful for Warner Bros until Justice League — DC's effort at recreating the Avengers vibe - which lost millions of dollars. Fans of Snyder have stirred up negative buzz for the new Superman movie, voicing hope online that the reboot fails out of a sense of loyalty to the previous films. The backlash was further widened after right-wing pundits groaned about Superman's specific characterisation as an immigrant, lamenting the superhero had become "woke." Gunn addressed the criticism, telling The Times newspaper that "Superman is the story of America," with the character reflecting those who "came from other places and populated the country." "I'm telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now," he added. Ultimately, time will soon tell if Corenswet's chiseled looks and Gunn's directorial vision will be the superpowers that DC Studios need — or prove to be its Kryptonite.
