Spider-Man 4: Will Eddie Brock make a Marvel-ous comeback in the upcoming series?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is expanding, with new characters being introduced and older ones returning in the upcoming phases. While any new character the studio introduces excites fans, they are also always curious about existing characters possibly making a comeback in the MCU.

One such popular existing character is Eddie Brock, or Venom, played by Tom Hardy. Brock is the human version of Venom, and the symbiote's human host. He was last seen in the 2024 film, Venom: The Last Dance, which concluded the Venom trilogy. Hardy's last outing as Eddie/Venom for Marvel beyond his own franchise happened in the 2021 release, Spider-Man: No Way Home.

With an untitled Spider-Man film, tentatively called Spider-Man 4, scheduled for release in 2026, speculations surrounding Eddie/Venom's return have been generating a buzz among fans.

Hardy himself has, however, refrained from acknowledging his presence as Eddie/Venom in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel. According to an Esquire report in October, he told AP News:

"I don't see him in the next Spider-Man movie because I'd have the script, and I don't have that."

A March 2025 report in Cosmic Circus, however, quoted industry insider Alex Perez as saying:

"Last I heard, they were planning on bringing in Eddie for Spider-Man 4, but we’ll see if that’s the case."

Earlier in the same report, Perez said:

"I have heard many conflicting things, first Knull, then Mephisto, now Doom, and ring around the rosie we go, which is why I’d rather remain quiet. What I can say is, I don’t expect the villain to be someone 'street-level.'"

In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Brock shows up for the mid-credits scene as he gets transported to the Marvel Cinematic Universe because of a spell Doctor Strange casts. Although he spends less time there and very soon makes his way back to his universe, his short appearance in the film has been seen as an Easter egg by many fans, who theorize that he will be back in Spider-Man 4.

What do we know about Spider-Man 4?

Information available so far online about Spider-Man 4 looks exciting, and Marvel has announced new actors coming on board for the project. Sadie Sink recently joined the film, in a yet-unspecified role. Marvel has also announced casting calls for various roles in the film. Tom Holland and Zendaya are the only actors confirmed to be a part of the project as of now. Filming is set to start this year, with Destin Daniel Cretton directing the project.

Talking to Deadline in April, Holland said:

“We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be... but until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect. The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.”

Spider-Man 4 is scheduled to release on July 31, 2026.