Tom Holland has shared that the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day will address one of the main criticisms from 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home by focusing on filming in real-world locations. The film, currently shooting in Glasgow, aims to bring a more authentic and grounded feel compared to the mostly studio-bound production of its predecessor, enhancing the Spider-Man experience for fans worldwide.
Spider-Man: No Way Home remains the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) most successful solo entry, earning nearly $2 billion globally and impressing audiences with its multiverse storyline. Despite its success, the production faced limitations due to COVID-19 restrictions that confined much of the filming to soundstages. Now, for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and others, the production benefits from fewer restrictions, allowing filming on location and a return to more traditional filmmaking methods.
The Shift to Real Locations and Its Impact on the Film
During the early stages of the pandemic, MCU productions had to adjust to unprecedented challenges, relying heavily on indoor soundstages and digital effects technology like The Volume. While effective, these methods often fell short of creating the immersive realism that audiences expect from blockbuster superhero films. No Way Home’s shooting conditions limited opportunities to capture the dynamic street-level energy familiar from previous Spider-Man movies.
Tom Holland explained how the filmmakers plan to change this approach for the new film, offering fans an experience closer to the atmosphere of Spider-Man: Homecoming.
“I’m obviously over the moon and so excited. Playing Spider-Man was like hanging out with an old pal, and I think…we were really restricted with what we could do with the last movie because of COVID. We shot the entire thing on stages. Now, we’re really gonna lean into that old-school filmmaking and shoot in real locations, which is why we’re shooting in Glasgow, we’re gonna use the streets of Glasgow for this massive set piece that we’re putting together. So, it’s gonna feel like making ‘Spider-Man [Homecoming]’ again, you know, it’s been such a long time since I’ve done it. It’s gonna feel like a breath of fresh air, and I think the fans are gonna be over the moon with what we’re putting together.”
—Tom Holland, actor
The use of Glasgow’s streets to replicate New York City offers the film a tangible sense of place that was challenging to achieve during the height of the pandemic. This choice not only boosts the visual authenticity but also provides the cast and crew with the energy of working in real environments, which can enhance performances and stunt sequences. Given the open-ended nature of the multiverse storyline introduced in No Way Home, these practical locations may add grounding to the film’s fantastical elements.
Production Progress and Anticipated Highlights
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently in the early phase of filming, with reports hinting at an explosive action sequence being captured abroad in the UK. Though plot details remain under wraps, the shooting timeline is expected to span most of the year, with ongoing updates about the cast and additional story elements likely emerging as production advances.
The film is set to lead into Phase 6 of the MCU, continuing Spider-Man’s journey after the multiverse events opened up new possibilities for storytelling. Joining Tom Holland in the cast are Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, and Liza Colón-Zayas, under the direction of Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release in theaters on July 31, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the franchise and Marvel’s broader cinematic plans.
Why Filming Changes Matter for Fans and the Franchise
The pandemic imposed major adjustments across the MCU’s projects, often limiting creative choices for filmmakers. These restrictions meant technical tools had to replace real sets and practical locations, a shift that impacted the overall feel and scale of the films. For a character like Spider-Man, known for his street-level accessibility and urban adventures, losing that authentic backdrop was felt by many fans.
Returning to practical locations brings the opportunity to recapture the spirit of earlier Spider-Man installments, where the city itself acts as a vital character. As Spider-Man 4 might revisit multiverse elements, this grounded approach could enhance story coherence while still delivering spectacular visuals and emotional resonance.
With filming underway in Glasgow and the rest of the UK standing in for New York City, the movie aims to reintroduce audiences to that rich sense of scale and reality. This decision could influence how future MCU projects balance digital effects with on-location shooting, especially as the franchise continues evolving in what the multiverse saga will demand.
For now, fans and industry watchers alike remain eager to see how Spider-Man: Brand New Day uses this fresh approach to production to fix the limitations from No Way Home and push the MCU’s storytelling forward, setting new standards for the superhero genre.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. When was Tom Holland diagnosed?
A. Holland went to Donhead, a boys’ Catholic school in Wimbledon, southwest London. At age seven, he was found to have dyslexia.
Q. Did Tom Holland propose to Zendaya?
A. At the 2025 Golden Globes, Zendaya showed off a beautiful ring, suggesting she got engaged to Tom Holland. Tom’s dad, Dominic Holland, later confirmed the proposal. Tom Holland made the engagement memorable with his proposal to Zendaya.
Q. Does Tom Holland have a disability?
A. Tom Holland has dyslexia.
Q. What religion is Tom Holland?
A. I have come to understand through my beliefs that I am neither Greek nor Roman, but fully and confidently Christian.
