Disney's recent announcement about delaying *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars* has stirred significant conversation among fans, pushing the release of *Doomsday* to December 18, 2026, and *Secret Wars* to December 17, 2027. This shift means a longer wait for fans eager to see Earth's mightiest heroes back in action on the big screen.
Amidst these delays, the spotlight also shines on Tom Holland's return as Peter Parker in *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. This film will continue Peter's journey post-*No Way Home*, where his identity was erased from public memory, offering a fresh narrative for the beloved character.
Prior to Disney's delay announcement, *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* was slated to follow *Avengers: Doomsday*, positioning it as a pivotal chapter between the two Avengers films. Rumors had circulated about potential multiversal adventures aligning with the MCU's current thematic direction. However, with *Brand New Day* now set to premiere before either Avengers film, fans are optimistic about a more grounded, street-level storyline for Peter Parker.
Consider the previous setup: *Avengers: Doomsday* was expected to end on a cliffhanger similar to *Avengers: Infinity War*, setting up high stakes for *Secret Wars*. As a key member of the Avengers, Spider-Man's involvement—or notable absence—would have needed to be addressed in *Brand New Day*. Now, with the film's new position in the timeline, it can explore its narrative independently, potentially focusing on Peter's life in New York.
"That completely changes things for Spider-Man 4," a fan noted on Reddit, emphasizing the shift in narrative framing due to the delay. Another fan speculated, "If Spider-Man: Brand New Day isn't [also] delayed, I think that basically would confirm it isn't a multiverse battle world movie," hinting at the film possibly diverging from the multiverse-centric themes.
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Many Spider-Man enthusiasts are excited about seeing the character back in his element, navigating the streets of New York rather than joining cosmic battles with the Avengers. For these fans, Disney's delay announcement is a welcome change.
"This is the best Spider-Man 4 news we've gotten," one fan exclaimed, while another added, "With [Brand New Day] coming before Doomsday, this fully allows a grounded story, which lines up with the rumors and casting lately." This sentiment reflects a desire for a more localized, character-driven plot, supported by recent casting rumors suggesting villains fitting a New York-centric narrative.
Earlier this month, Liza Colón-Zayas, known for her role as Tina Marrero on FX's *The Bear*, was reportedly cast in *Brand New Day*. Fans believe she might portray the mother of Miles Morales, hinting at a potential live-action appearance of this popular character from Sony's *Spider-Verse* animated series.
As part of the reshuffling, Disney also removed an untitled Marvel project from its February 13, 2026, slot, leading fans to speculate it was a placeholder for the long-awaited *Blade* reboot starring Mahershala Ali. The project's removal suggests it may not be part of the current MCU saga, if it is produced at all.
Additional changes include shifting dates for films scheduled for November 6, 2026, and November 5, 2027, now labeled as "Untitled Disney" films. If these are not MCU-related, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see a lighter film schedule in the coming years.
Looking ahead, 2025 will feature *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in July, alongside the Disney+ series *Ironheart* and *Wonder-Man*. In 2026, Disney+ will continue to expand its offerings with *Daredevil Born Again* Season 2 in the spring, a *Punisher* one-off special, and *Vision Quest*, which has quietly started filming and stars Paul Bettany.
