By Mallory Mattingly
Filming for SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY kicked off just weeks ago as rumors swirled about who the villain will be. Now, some speculate it could be Peter Parker’s best friend, Ned.
Marvel fans have posed comic book villains like Rino, Mister Negative or Knull as Spider-Man’s possible nemesis in the next movie. But when Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned, Peter Parker’s trusted friend and sidekick, posted a photo on social media of him holding a Hobgoblin action figure, fans went crazy, “some loving the idea of Ned turning villain and others not so thrilled,” per Comic Basics.
It wouldn’t really be surprising if Batalon’s character went that direction. In several comics, Ned, in fact, does become supervillain Hobgoblin.
Before SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY began filming, Batalon spoke to Comic Book Resource about if that’s a possibility for his character.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Again, we may have talked about things, for sure, but I don’t know if it would’ve really led to anything serious about being a villain, or anything like that,” he said.
Batalon revealed at the time that he was kept in the dark about his role in the upcoming film.
Related: Tom Holland ‘Feels Different’ Filming SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY
“I’m open to anything, and I think we all are open to anything,” he explained. “Unless you’re like a superhero, like big time, one of the main ones they’re trying to make movies about, you don’t really know what’s going to happen. In the industry, people don’t want to hope to wish. So, I would hopefully [return]. I’m down for anything. I would love to be a part of something special again. But also at the same time, I understand it’s a business, and people may not want that thing anymore, so I’m just being more realistic than anything else.”
Regardless of who the villain is, star Tom Holland couldn’t be happier to be back on set.
“I feel good, man. It’s day one,” Holland said in the video posted by Sony Pictures Entertainment. “Day one. My fourth-ever day one on SPIDER-MAN. You know, it’s funny putting the suit on. It feels different this time somehow. It’s also the first time we’ve ever had fans on set for day one. So, it’s really exciting to share this with them.”
“We’ve got some familiar faces on set,” he added. “You know, I’m just going to do my best. Hopefully get it right. No pressure.”
While Spidey fans will have to wait until July 31, 2026, to find out what’s in store for Peter Parker and his friends, they can enjoy the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the franchise’s fourth installment.
Read Next: Tom Holland Dishes on ‘Intense,’ ‘Really Fun’ SPIDER-MAN 4 Prep
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +2