Spider-Man 4
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Writers: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers
Cast:
• Tom Holland – Spider-Man/Peter Parker
• Zendaya – MJ
The last time we saw Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not only did no one know he was Spider-Man, everyone’s memory of Peter had been erased entirely. The Spider-Man: No Way Home climax culminated in Doctor Strange casting this spell as a way to end the multiversal mayhem. This leaves Peter more on his own compared with even his first solo outing – Spider-Man: Homecoming presented Spider-Man as an Iron Man protégé.
Therefore, the door is left wide open for an array of Spider-Man 4 storyline possibilities, however the feature will hit theaters only a few months after the fifth Avengers. So it would be unusual if the Doomsday events in that massive exhibition are not felt in Spidey’s solo adventure. The most common way that scenarios are kept detached in the current MCU environment is when they occur in alternate realities, which is an option that the decision makers will have in their back pockets.
Either way, we will see the vigorous Tom Holland suit up once again alongside the dauntless Zendaya. Filmmaker Jon Watts will be handing the sub-franchise over to Destin Daniel Cretton. Cretton is not a MCU newcomer, having helmed the impressive Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings several years ago. He was set to direct Avengers: The Kang Dynasty before plans fell apart and Kevin Feige pivoted toward Doomsday. Cretton will also direct the pilot episode of the Disney Plus series Wonder Man, leading to the question of whether the anti-Tony Stark character will have a part to play in Spider-Man 4.
Clayface
Release Date: September 11, 2026
Director: To be determined
Writer: Mike Flanagan
Cast: To be determined
Clayface does not currently have a director tied to it, but the film is no expected to be a part of the new DC Universe, overseen by Peter Safran and James Gunn. It was Gunn who officiallt confirmed that the film would be happening after months of rumors, announcing it as a DCU story on social media, which appears to suggest that it will take place in the DCU prime continuity, which will soon be occupied by Superman, Supergirl, and the Green Lantern Corps. Clayface is another attempt at a villain-centric storyline, after the Joker two-fer recently came to a close.
DC has options when it comes to the direction they want to go with this villainous/anti-hero endeavor. Clayface could resemble the Venom trilogy, which has an inherent comic relief element built into its tone (some would say it is too light for the quintessential Spider-Man antagonist). Alternatively, it can follow in the tone of fellow DC Elseworlds series, Joker; bleak from beginning to end. Given writer Mike Flanagan’s proclivity for heavier horror, he may lean toward the latter.
Casting would also depend on the approach DC and Flanagan decide on for Clayface. The most popular versions of the character so far have come in animated form. Ron Perlman voiced the foe in Batman: The Animated Series and episodes of Justice League. Perlman portrays a more tragic version of the former actor. Meanwhile, Alan Tudyk goes completely comical for his take on Clayface in the contemporary Harley Quinn show. In fact, Harley Quinn’s Clayface is at times so uproarious, it wouldn’t be surprising if that version influences the live-action movie.