Florence Pugh is reportedly joining the cast of the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland. Set to arrive in theaters in summer 2026, this new installment follows the challenges Holland’s Spider-Man faces after the events of 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Florence Pugh Expected to Return as Yelena Belova in Spider-Man 4
Recent information from Marvel insiders points to Florence Pugh reprising her role as Yelena Belova in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel. Pugh made notable appearances in the Marvel release Thunderbolts earlier this year and is confirmed to return in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. These appearances have heightened speculation that she will be a key player in the new Spider-Man film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
MCU insider Daniel Richtman first shared this speculation on social media, stating,
“Yelena! Florence Pugh has joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day!”
—Daniel Richtman, MCU Insider
Although Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed Pugh’s involvement, her addition would enrich a cast already featuring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, with additional cameos hinted from Mark Ruffalo as Hulk and Jon Bernthal as Punisher. Other confirmed cast members include Michael Mando as the villain Scorpion, with Liza Colon-Zayas and Sadie Sink joining in undefined roles. The cast list may expand further as the film’s release date approaches.
Hints of More Classic Spider-Man Villains in the New Film
Marvel Insider Alex Perez revealed during a Q&A session that several iconic villains from Spider-Man’s comic book history are expected to appear in Brand New Day. Perez mentioned notable names such as Kingpin, Venom, Tombstone, Hammerhead, and Prowler as part of the expanding rogue’s gallery.
Some villains like Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin and Tom Hardy’s Venom have already been portrayed in live-action within the MCU or related franchises. Others, like Tombstone and Hammerhead, have yet to be introduced onscreen. The character Prowler, associated with Aaron Davis, appeared briefly in animated form in the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but this role did not connect to the live-action MCU.
This casting speculation aligns with scenes from No Way Home that featured several villains such as Kraven the Hunter, Scorpion, Rhino, Mysterio, and Madame Web, each having recent on-screen portrayals or anticipated MCU inclusion. Perez concluded, “More Spider-Man Villains to Come,” alluding to an extensive lineup of antagonists in the new film.—Alex Perez, Marvel Insider
What This Means for the MCU and Spider-Man’s Future
The inclusion of Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova and the arrival of multiple classic villains suggest that Spider-Man: Brand New Day aims to expand the MCU’s narrative complexity. It promises a rich blend of familiar faces and fresh challenges for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, maintaining momentum after the success of No Way Home.
This film could serve as a pivotal chapter that deepens the interconnectivity of Marvel’s storytelling by introducing characters like Yelena alongside an ensemble of villains fans have long anticipated seeing on screen. The casting choices and plot hints indicate Marvel Studios is preparing a robust storyline that will captivate audiences well into the next phase of the MCU.
