The fourth installment of the Spider-Man franchise will see Tom Holland returning as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, following his recent appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.
Destin Daniel Cretton, known for directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will take the helm for this sequel, stepping in for Jon Watts, who directed the previous Spider-Man trilogy.
Zendaya is also set to reprise her role as MJ, Peter Parker’s former partner. The movie is slated for release on July 24, 2026.
Over the past few months, Spider-Man 4 has been a focal point of fan speculation and debate, fueled by swirling rumors about its potential storyline.
Initial expectations suggested that the film would feature Spider-Man teaming up with Charlie Cox’s Daredevil to take on Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, continuing the narrative from Daredevil: Born Again.
However, more recent reports, including an updated What I Heard article, suggest the movie might pivot to another multiversal adventure.
This time, it could involve Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock, a character whose story seemingly concluded in Venom: The Last Dance.
These conflicting rumors have divided fans, and the true direction of the plot remains uncertain. Still, recent hints from Sony suggest some clarity about the characters or storyline might be emerging.
Sony Pictures Japan Teases Spider-Man and Venom Collaboration
On November 8, 2024, Sony Pictures Japan released a press statement expressing excitement for the next Spider-Man installment.
While the announcement provided general details about the film’s production, release date, and director, the second headline drew significant attention.
The translated headline reads: “Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker, has already given his stamp of approval to the story! ‘This will be a real movie that fans can respect!’ Is Tom Hardy, who plays Eddie in the ‘Venom’ series, ready to take part?”
This statement marks the first notable hint of Hardy’s involvement in Spider-Man 4.
The release further quotes Hardy discussing Venom’s arc: “Although it is the last film in the series, I should not say goodbye to Venom but welcome the final stage (The Last Dance). Venom’s story is not over yet. He still has a lot to do.”
When asked about a potential crossover with Spider-Man, Hardy shared his enthusiasm, praising Holland as “the best Spider-Man” and expressing interest in collaborating: “If someone needs me, I’d be happy to participate.”
Speculation and Previous Patterns
Some skeptics may argue this could be a promotional tactic for Venom: The Last Dance rather than a genuine hint about Spider-Man 4. However, this wouldn’t be the first time an international Sony branch has inadvertently hinted at major developments.
During the promotional period for Spider-Man: No Way Home, branches like Sony Mexico and Sony Brazil teased the eventual appearances of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield months before their roles were officially confirmed.
This pattern of early teases could indicate a similar situation unfolding now. While fans await an official announcement, the prospect of Holland and Hardy teaming up in Spider-Man 4 has sparked significant excitement. Hopefully, confirmation—or at least more details—will arrive sooner rather than later.
