Hulk Smashes Spider-Man’s Head In Brand New Day Art

Published Jun 21, 2026, 1:38 PM EDT

Mark Ruffalo returns to reprise his longtime role as Bruce Banner in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. While the latest Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer shows Banner helping Peter Parker (Tom Holland), it also sees the scientist transforming into the Hulk and roaring as he clashes with Spider-Man.

In new fan art from @bosslogic, the Hulk is seen brutally smashing Spider-Man's head into the ground hard enough to make the pavement burst into pieces. Behind the web-slinger, there appears to be the Venom symbiote, and the scene takes place in the pouring rain. Check out the art below:

While the trailer confirms a fight taking place between Spider-Man and the Hulk, this art takes the conflict in a much darker direction. It is practically guaranteed that the Hulk won't kill Spider-Man, especially not in the hero's own movie. In earlier MCU movies, some of Banner's closest friends and allies have been hurt when he transforms and loses control, but not to the irrevocable degree shown in this image.

As for why this fight is happening and why Ruffalo's character is able to change into "Savage Hulk" again, the newest trailer hints that Sadie Sink's mysterious character may be behind it. The footage highlights several other individuals in New York City being mind-controlled and her seemingly being the mastermind. If she wants to hurt Spider-Man, controlling the Hulk is one of her best options.

If Sink's character is a villain, she is one of many in the new film, as Spider-Man is also confirmed to be facing Scorpion (Michael Mando), Tombstone (Marvin "Krondon" Jones III), The Hand, Tarantula, and Boomerang. Many theories have pointed to Sink playing the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey, but this would be a surprisingly sinister MCU introduction for the character who is usually depicted as a hero, with the Dark Phoenix storyline being an obvious exception.

In addition to Banner/the Hulk and the aforementioned list of villains, Spider-Man: Brand New Day's cast includes Zendaya as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/the Punisher, Tramell Tillman as Damage of Department Control boss William "Bill" Metzger, and Eman Esfandi as MJ's new boyfriend. The spell performed in No Way Home is still in effect, so MJ, Ned, and the rest of the world do not remember Peter and that he is Spider-Man.

After some of the previous movies dealt with bigger, universe-altering stakes, Brand New Day is set to be more of a street-level conflict. Holland has spoken about advocating for this change after hearing extensively that it was something fans wanted to see from the superhero in his next movie after No Way Home.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and co-created the MCU Disney+ series Wonder Man. The script was written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, and Justin Kuritzkes.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases in theaters on July 31.