When I first started writing about Spider-Man: Brand New Day in August 2025, I had a theory. I believed that Marvel might take Peter Parker in a different direction after Spider-Man: No Way Home, focusing less on multiversal spectacle and more on the emotional consequences of Peter’s decision to sacrifice his relationships to save the world. Then, in March 2026, when the full trailer dropped, I revisited my original predictions and made some adjustments. Now that I’ve watched the finished movie, I want to look back at both of those posts, examine what I got right and wrong, and, most importantly, discuss what I think the ending and post-credits scene could mean for the future of Spider-Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Because if there’s one thing I love doing, it’s looking at a movie, examining the story it tells, and trying to figure out where things might go next. And with Brand New Day, I think we have some fascinating possibilities ahead of us.
Revisiting My August 2025 Predictions
Let’s start with my original post, Spider-Man: Brand New Day – A Mirror, Not a Multiverse Meltdown.
At the time, there were rumors flying around about potential appearances from Daredevil, the Punisher, Black Cat, Mr. Negative, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield. Naturally, plenty of people were speculating that Marvel would try to follow up No Way Home with another massive multiverse adventure.
But I wasn’t entirely convinced.
Instead, I proposed that Brand New Day might mirror Spider-Man: Homecoming, but in reverse. In Homecoming, Peter Parker was a young superhero who had Tony Stark as a mentor, Ned as his best friend and confidant, and people in his personal life who knew who he really was. My theory was that Brand New Day would flip that dynamic. Peter would be an experienced superhero who no longer had those relationships, potentially finding new allies who knew Spider-Man without knowing Peter Parker.
Looking back, I think the core of that theory was right.
The movie continues to explore Peter’s isolation after the events of No Way Home. He has lost the relationships that once defined his life, and his commitment to being Spider-Man comes at a tremendous personal cost. The story isn’t simply about making Peter face a bigger threat. It’s about what happens when the person underneath the mask has almost nothing left.
I also correctly anticipated that the Punisher would be an important presence, although I couldn’t have known exactly how his relationship with Peter would develop. Frank Castle isn’t simply another superhero who shows up to help Spider-Man. His methods and beliefs challenge Peter’s own understanding of justice.
Where I was wrong was in some of my specific speculation. Daredevil, Black Cat, Mr. Negative, and the possible returns of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield didn’t play out the way I had imagined. But I wasn’t betting heavily on those possibilities in the first place. They were ideas based on the rumors circulating at the time, not the foundation of my theory.
My biggest prediction was about the movie’s direction, not its guest appearances. And I still believe that was the most important part to get right.
How My March 2026 Predictions Got Closer
When the full trailer arrived in March 2026, I published a second post titled I Wasn’t Entirely Wrong: Reacting to the Spider-Man: Brand New Day Trailer and Revisiting My Predictions.
This time, I had considerably more information to work with.
The trailer gave us a clearer look at the Punisher, Scorpion, Bruce Banner, and the possibility that Peter was experiencing physical changes connected to his Spider-Man powers. It also reinforced the idea that the movie would focus on the aftermath of No Way Home rather than immediately undoing Peter’s sacrifice.
And I think my second prediction was closer to the finished movie.
I was right about the Punisher being more than a background appearance. I recognized that his presence could challenge Peter’s principles rather than simply provide another ally. I also picked up on Scorpion and the possibility of a wider network of threats, rather than one singular villain in the mold of the Vulture.
Most importantly, I noticed that something might be happening to Peter himself. I hadn’t predicted that in August 2025, but the trailer gave us clues that his powers and biology were changing. That turned out to be an important element of the finished story.
I also refined my original theory about Peter’s relationships. In my first post, I had imagined that new allies might form a kind of replacement support network for him. By March, I was considering a different possibility: these characters might actually emphasize his loneliness rather than alleviate it.
And that distinction matters.
Frank Castle cannot replace Ned. Bruce Banner cannot replace Tony Stark. Having people around him doesn’t automatically mean Peter has people who truly know him.
I didn’t predict everything, of course. Jean Grey’s role, the full extent of Peter’s biological transformation, and the details of the climax were things I couldn’t have known from the trailer alone. But my second post was more specific because I had more evidence.
Taken together, I think these two posts show the difference between making a prediction before a movie’s marketing campaign has really begun and revising that prediction when new information becomes available. I got some details wrong, but I also recognized the story’s broader direction.
Now, however, I want to move beyond evaluating my old predictions. Because the ending of Brand New Day opens up some intriguing possibilities for Peter’s future.
The Ending: Did Ned Regain His Memories of Peter Parker?
Let’s talk about that final scene.
Peter eventually reunites with Ned, and the two perform their old secret handshake. What makes this moment so significant is that the handshake is a familiar part of their friendship, something they used to do before Doctor Strange’s spell caused the world to forget Peter Parker.
My interpretation is that Ned may have regained at least some of his memories of Peter.
The movie doesn’t give us a detailed explanation of exactly how this happens, which leaves room for interpretation. One theory I’ve heard is that Ned retained a form of muscle memory even after his conscious memories were erased. I think that is a fascinating possibility.
Think about it. Ned and Peter had years of friendship. They developed habits, routines, inside jokes, and a secret handshake that became part of their relationship. What if Doctor Strange’s spell erased the conscious memories associated with Peter but didn’t completely eliminate the deeply ingrained patterns Ned had learned through repetition?
When Peter initiates their handshake, Ned instinctively knows what to do. Maybe that familiar action reconnects something that had been buried.
To be clear, I’m not claiming that muscle memory has been confirmed as the explanation. It’s my theory about what the scene might mean. But I think it fits the emotional significance of their reunion.
And if this is what happened, it raises a much bigger question.
Could Peter potentially restore other people’s memories by reawakening the associations they have with him?
Imagine Peter meeting someone who used to know him. Perhaps they shared a familiar greeting, a particular routine, or an experience that was deeply meaningful to both of them. If those memories weren’t completely destroyed, could something similar happen again?
I’m not saying Peter can simply walk around shaking hands with everyone and reverse Doctor Strange’s spell. Ned’s experience might be unique, and there could be other explanations for what we see. But I think the possibility deserves consideration.
If Ned’s handshake really did help restore his memories, then the spell might not be as irreversible as we initially believed.
And that could change Peter’s future considerably.
Could MJ Regain Her Memories, Too?
Naturally, the next person I think about is MJ.
Peter’s relationship with MJ was one of the most important parts of his life before the events of No Way Home. He chose to let her forget him because he believed that doing so would protect her and everyone else from the consequences of knowing his identity.
But what if Ned’s experience opens the door to something similar happening with MJ?
Maybe Peter and MJ could eventually rediscover some of the things they shared. Maybe a familiar interaction, an inside joke, or a meaningful experience could awaken memories that the spell suppressed.
There is an important distinction here: rebuilding a relationship with someone who no longer remembers you is not the same thing as restoring the relationship you had before. Even if MJ eventually remembers Peter, she and Peter would still have to work through everything that happened and decide what their future should look like.
I don’t necessarily think the next movie will immediately restore their relationship to exactly what it was before. In fact, I think it would be more interesting if the story allowed them to reconnect gradually.
Peter has spent so much time sacrificing his own happiness for others that he needs to learn how to live as a person, not just as Spider-Man. If MJ returns to his life, I want that relationship to develop in a way that respects both of them.
Still, Ned’s apparent recognition of Peter gives me hope that the people Peter lost might not be lost to him forever.
My Other Theory: Did Doctor Strange’s Spell Affect Everyone in the Universe?
This is an idea I’ve considered for a while, and I think it’s worth revisiting now.
At the end of No Way Home, Doctor Strange casts a spell that causes everyone to forget Peter Parker. The way the spell is presented leaves an interesting question for me: exactly how far did its effects reach?
My theory is that the spell may have affected people on Earth, rather than literally everyone throughout the universe.
Now, I want to be clear that this is speculation. I’m not claiming that the movies have established a geographical or cosmic limitation on the spell. But if there is such a limitation, it could have significant consequences.
Consider the people who were off-world during the events of No Way Home.
Nick Fury is an especially interesting example. At the time, Fury was away from Earth, and Peter’s interactions with him had been complicated by the fact that he was dealing with a Skrull impersonating him in Far From Home. If the spell only affected people on Earth, perhaps the real Fury would still remember Peter.
Then there are characters such as Captain Marvel and the Guardians of the Galaxy, who have spent considerable time away from Earth. Depending on where they were when the spell was cast and how its magic operates, they could potentially remember Peter Parker.
Imagine Peter encountering Nick Fury again and discovering that Fury still knows exactly who he is. Or imagine the Guardians recognizing Spider-Man from their previous interactions with him.
That would create an interesting contrast between the people who forgot Peter and those who never did.
It could also have consequences for the Avengers. If some heroes remember Peter while others don’t, they would have to navigate the awkwardness of interacting with someone whose history has been erased from the minds of their colleagues.
Of course, there is another possibility: Doctor Strange’s spell could have affected everyone who knew Peter Parker regardless of their physical location. If that’s how the magic works, being off-world wouldn’t protect anyone.
But until the MCU clarifies the spell’s exact reach, I think the question remains worth exploring.
What I Predict Will Happen in the Next Spider-Man Movie
Whenever the next Tom Holland Spider-Man movie arrives, I suspect that Peter’s relationship with Ned will be an important starting point.
The ending of Brand New Day gives Peter something he desperately needed: a potential way back into the life he lost. But I don’t think that means everything will suddenly return to normal.
My prediction is that the next movie will explore Peter and Ned rebuilding their friendship. Even if Ned has recovered some or all of his memories, they have spent a significant amount of time apart, and their friendship has been fundamentally altered by what happened.
They would need to figure out how to move forward.
Ned could become Peter’s friend again, potentially returning to the role of the guy in the chair. But I would like to see their relationship evolve rather than simply repeat what we saw in the previous movies. Ned has grown as a person, and Peter has experienced things that his old friend doesn’t necessarily understand.
I also think MJ could eventually regain her memories, although I wouldn’t assume it will happen immediately. Her relationship with Peter deserves its own development rather than being resolved through a single convenient plot device.
Perhaps the next movie will focus on Peter trying to rebuild his personal life while dealing with the responsibilities of being Spider-Man. Maybe he will finally learn that accepting help from other people doesn’t make him a less capable hero.
That would continue the character arc I’ve been discussing since my original 2025 prediction.
I also think there’s potential for the next movie to explore the consequences of Peter discovering that the spell can be circumvented or that its effects aren’t entirely permanent. If other people begin remembering him, the question becomes whether Peter should actively seek out those relationships or allow people to rediscover him naturally.
Either way, I don’t think his story is finished.
What About the Avengers Movies?
My theories about Peter’s future aren’t limited to his next solo movie.
I also think the upcoming Avengers films could be an opportunity to explore the consequences of Doctor Strange’s spell on a much larger scale.
If my theory about off-world characters remembering Peter is correct, then Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars could bring him into contact with people who still know him.
Imagine Peter encountering Captain Marvel or Nick Fury and discovering that they remember his identity. That could be a major moment for him, especially after spending so long believing that everyone who mattered had forgotten him.
It could also create an interesting dynamic between Peter and the other heroes. Some might remember him immediately, while others would have no idea who he is. That could lead to some compelling interactions and potentially give Peter a way back into the wider superhero community.
And if Ned’s memories really have returned, perhaps Peter’s reunion with other people from his past could follow a similar pattern.
Again, these are predictions, not confirmed plot details. But I think the possibilities are worth considering, especially given how closely Peter’s story has been tied to the wider MCU.
The Post-Credits Scene: Is Peter Being Sent to Battleworld?
Now we get to the part that has me particularly intrigued.
The post-credits scene in Brand New Day hints that Spider-Man’s story is heading somewhere beyond his usual surroundings. My interpretation is that it could be setting up Peter’s involvement in the events leading to Avengers: Secret Wars.
Specifically, I think Peter may end up on Battleworld.
For anyone unfamiliar with the term, Battleworld is a location associated with Marvel’s Secret Wars comics. Its exact nature varies between comic storylines, but it is famously connected to the collision of realities and Doctor Doom’s role in shaping a new world from the remnants of the multiverse.
That makes it an intriguing possibility for the MCU’s next major crossover.
If Peter is somehow transported away from Earth, or if the post-credits scene is hinting at his involvement in a larger cosmic or multiversal event, Battleworld could be a plausible destination. It would also explain why Marvel might choose to end Brand New Day with a tease rather than a definitive resolution.
I don’t think the scene necessarily confirms that Peter is already on Battleworld. There are other explanations for what it might be setting up, and Marvel could be deliberately keeping the details ambiguous. But given the upcoming Avengers films and the MCU’s growing focus on multiversal threats, I think it’s a reasonable theory to consider.
And if Peter does end up on Battleworld, I suspect his experiences in Brand New Day will be important to how he handles what comes next.
Peter has spent years learning to survive without the support system he once had. He has had to face loneliness, grief, and the consequences of his own choices. Those experiences could make him a very different kind of hero when he encounters the Avengers again.
He may no longer have Tony Stark to guide him. He may not even have the same relationships he once relied on. But he has developed his own moral compass, and that could be what matters most when the stakes become universal.
I would love to see Peter play a significant role in Secret Wars, particularly if the story forces him to confront the difference between saving the world and preserving the people who make that world worth saving.
After all, that has been the central tension of his story since No Way Home.
Could Doctor Strange’s Spell Divide the Avengers?
There’s another possibility I want to explore, and I think it could make for a fascinating storyline in either Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
What if Doctor Strange’s spell doesn’t just create awkward reunions? What if it actually causes divisions among the heroes?
Think about it. If my theory is correct and some characters, particularly those who were off-world when the spell was cast, still remember Peter Parker, they could find themselves interacting with heroes who have completely forgotten him. And that raises some interesting questions.
Imagine Captain Marvel or Nick Fury bringing up Peter Parker in a conversation with other heroes, only to discover that nobody knows who they’re talking about. Or imagine someone who remembers Peter trying to explain to the others that Spider-Man is a trusted ally, only for them to wonder why they’ve never heard of him before.
Naturally, that could lead to some confusion. But I think it could go further than that.
What if some heroes begin questioning Peter’s intentions?
Consider how strange the situation would look from the perspective of someone who remembers Peter. They know who he is, they remember their interactions with him, and they know that he’s Spider-Man. But then they discover that their fellow heroes have no recollection of Peter Parker whatsoever.
Once they learn that Doctor Strange cast a spell to make the world forget Peter’s identity, they might start asking questions. Why would Peter want everyone to forget him? What exactly happened? Was he trying to protect people, or was there something else going on?
Of course, we know why Peter made that sacrifice. He wanted to protect the people he loved and prevent the multiverse from collapsing. But other heroes who don’t know the full story might not see it that way. And even those who remember him might struggle to explain his decision to people who have no idea who he is.
Imagine a disagreement breaking out between heroes who trust Peter and those who suspect that something isn’t right. Some might argue that Peter sacrificed everything to save the world. Others might wonder why someone would allow a spell to erase their existence from the lives of everyone they knew.
And if Doctor Strange’s spell becomes a subject of debate, it could raise even bigger questions about trust, accountability, and the limits of magic.
Now, I don’t necessarily think this would turn the Avengers against Spider-Man entirely. But I could see it creating tension, especially if the heroes are already dealing with a larger threat in Doomsday or Secret Wars. When the fate of the world or the multiverse is at stake, even a misunderstanding could have serious consequences.
The irony is that Peter’s sacrifice was meant to protect everyone. Yet the very act of protecting them could leave some heroes suspicious of him, while others defend someone they can no longer prove they know.
That would be a particularly cruel consequence of his decision. Peter gave up his place in the world to save it, and now he might have to prove himself all over again to people who once considered him an ally.
And honestly, I think that could be a compelling way to carry his character arc into the next Avengers movie. Peter wouldn’t just have to fight whatever threat is coming. He might also have to navigate a world in which some heroes trust him, some don’t recognize him, and others aren’t sure what to believe.
If Marvel takes this route, Doctor Strange’s spell could become more than a lingering emotional consequence of No Way Home. It could become a genuine source of conflict within the Avengers themselves.
My Final Thoughts: Peter Parker’s Story Is Far From Over
Looking back at my two prediction posts, I think I was right about the broad direction of Brand New Day, even though I missed some of the specifics.
My August 2025 article anticipated a more personal Spider-Man story rather than another multiverse spectacle. My March 2026 article refined that theory after the trailer gave us more information, allowing me to identify more of the movie’s actual elements and reconsider how Peter’s relationships might develop.
Now, after watching the finished film, I see new possibilities in its ending and post-credits scene.
Maybe Ned’s apparent recovery of his memories means the effects of Doctor Strange’s spell aren’t entirely permanent. Maybe MJ will eventually remember Peter, too. Maybe people who were off-world when the spell was cast still know who Peter Parker is. And maybe the post-credits scene is pointing toward Battleworld and Peter’s eventual involvement in Avengers: Secret Wars.
None of these theories is guaranteed to come true. That’s part of the fun of discussing an ongoing cinematic universe. We can examine the evidence, look for patterns, consider different possibilities, and see how the story develops.
But if there’s one thing I hope Marvel continues to explore, it’s the idea that Peter Parker deserves a life beyond being Spider-Man.
He has sacrificed so much to protect the people he loves. He has accepted loneliness as the price of doing the right thing. Now, perhaps, he can begin to discover that being a hero doesn’t mean he has to remain alone forever.
And if the next chapter of his story brings Ned, MJ, Nick Fury, Captain Marvel, the Avengers, or even Battleworld back into the picture, I want to see how those experiences shape the person Peter becomes.
Because the most interesting question isn’t simply whether Spider-Man will return.
It’s whether Peter Parker will finally get the chance to reclaim the life he gave up.
And I, for one, can’t wait to find out.
What do you think? Did Ned regain his memories through muscle memory, or is something else happening with Doctor Strange’s spell? Do you think people who were off-world still remember Peter Parker? And could the post-credits scene be setting up Battleworld and Avengers: Secret Wars? Let me know what you think!
