We think we’ve figured out who this star from The Bear is playing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The fourth Spider-Man movie is set to feature the return of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker amid a street-level New York setting with several new faces joining the cast (including some classic Marvel heroes).
One particular casting choice has caught fans’ attention: Liza Colón-Zayas. While her specific role has yet to be officially revealed, new photos from the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day have led us to one very exciting conclusion (and it’s a key figure from Spider-Man’s comics history).
Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Cast Is Impressive
All around, the confirmed cast for Spider-Man: Brand New Day thus far is incredibly exciting. Not only are Zendaya and Jacob Batalon expected to return alongside Tom Holland, but Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner and confirmed to be key supporting heroes in the movie (with many hoping for a return of the MCU’s Savage Hulk).
Michael Mando is also reprising his role from 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming as Mac Gargan, a return that had generated lots of speculation that we may finally see the character evolve into the Scorpion. In the first MCU Spider-Man movie, Gargan was arrested after his weapons deal with The Vulture was exposed, promising revenge on Spider-Man in Homecoming’s post-credits scene.
Amid all of these exciting returns are two newcomers to the MCU: Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink and The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas, though neither of their characters has been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios or Sony Pictures.
Nevertheless, theories about Sadie Sink’s Spider-Man 4 role have been wide-ranging, suggesting she’s playing either the daughter of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, Gwen Stacy, Black Cat, or Rachel Cole, a former Marine turned ally of The Punisher. Conversely, there’s really only one prevailing role that’s been speculated when it comes to Liza Colón-Zayas.
Is The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas Playing Marvel’s Jean DeWolff?
The above set photos have led us to believe that Liza Colón-Zayas is likely portraying NYPD Detective Jean DeWolff. In the images, she’s seen wearing a brown trench coat while speaking to Spider-Man in what could very well be a crime-scene setting.
First appearing in 1976’s Marvel Team-Up #48, Jean DeWolff was one of Spider-Man’s first NYPD allies alongside the likes of Captain George Stacy and Yuri Watanabe, a refreshing change of pace considering how other institutions like The Daily Bugle and J. Jonah Jameson continually persecuted the Webslinger, frequently painting him as a criminal menace.
Despite his mask, DeWolff recognized Spider-Man as a fellow seeker of justice. However, DeWolff ultimately met her end when she was killed by Stan Carter, a former NYPD Detective who became the Spider-Man villain known as the Sin-Eater. DeWolff was the Sin-Eater’s first victim (and the pair used to be in a romantic relationship).
Again, this has yet to be confirmed and is merely speculation for the time being. However, it would fit as the right kind of role for Liza Colón-Zayas. After all, her character from The Bear, Tina Marrero, has a similar non-nonsense approach (while also possessing a strong determination)
Likewise, the inclusion of Jean DeWolff in Spider-Man: Brand New Day would also support the ongoing evidence that this new movie will very much be a street-level story set in New York.
What Jean DeWolff’s Inclusion Could Mean For Spider-Man 4’s Story
If Jean DeWolff appears in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, her MCU debut could be incredibly important to Peter Parker.
After all, the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home saw the entire world forgetting who Peter Parker was, including his friends and loved ones. That means that DeWolff could be uniquely positioned to become a newfound ally for Spider-Man, perhaps his only ally until Doctor Strange’s spell is potentially undone in some way.
As an NYPD detective, DeWolff would be a perfect addition to what looks to be the most street-level story for the MCU’s Spider-Man yet. The additions of The Punisher and Scorpion are certainly teasing an exploration into New York’s criminal underworld, with Peter Parker entering the fray for the first time.
Perhaps a new alliance with the NYPD will be in the works, with DeWolff serving as the Jim Gordon to Spider-Man’s Batman, a key liaison sharing intel and offering guidance as the Webslinger attempts to navigate the intricacies and layers of organized crime.
Additionally, the infamous “Death of Jean DeWolff” storyline happened during Spider-Man’s first black suit era, when he was more aggressive and under the symbiote’s influence. While this isn’t to say that we’ll necessarily be seeing a black suit in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, DeWolff’s inclusion might be indicative of a darker, more serious evolution in Spider-Man’s MCU career.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases in theaters on July 31st, 2026.
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
- Director
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Destin Daniel Cretton
