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Spider-Man: Brand New Day director speaks out on key ending scene between Peter and [Spoiler]
"We’re definitely not trying to torture people with ambiguity."
Marvel Studios
- Louise Griffin
Published: Tuesday, 4 August 2026 at 11:37 am
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*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.*
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If you've seen Spider-Man: Brand New Day, you'll no doubt have your own theories about that final scene between Peter (Tom Holland) and Ned (Jacon Batalon) – and now, director Destin Daniel Cretton has shed some light on it.
In Brand New Day, Peter is dealing with isolation and grief after a spell from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) caused the world to forget him in No Way Home. Most tragically of all, his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best friend Ned have no idea who he is and are continuing their lives without him.
However, the movie sees Spidey come face-to-face with the pair, and he is eventually forced to tell MJ the truth. Heartbreakingly, she doesn't remember him – but it seems that Ned have finally had his memory jogged.
During the final scenes of the film, Peter runs into Ned at the bodega and shakes his hand, giving him his real name. He kicks off their signature best friend handshake, with Ned mirroring his moves, perhaps with a spot of muscle memory involved.
As they finish their handshake, Ned looks up at him and, seemingly with some recognition, cries: "Peter!"
Speaking out about that scene, Cretton isn't giving too much away. He told Deadline: "Listen, we’re definitely not trying to torture people with ambiguity.
Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Marvel Studios
"I feel like what’s very clear is the emotion you’re left with when we cut to black. To me, there’s a very clear feeling of joy — just enough — and then you cut to black.
"I have seen the theories, and I love the theories. I think they’re so cool, and I don’t want to stop that conversation by putting my opinion in the middle of it. Knowing there will be another movie, that conversation will continue in the writer’s room as we figure out — if we figure out — what we’re going to do next."
He added: "That’s what’s so cool about these movies. The fans are so engaged. Everybody on our side is listening to everything. Those are conversations we’ve had in the writers’ room as well, and I think it’s fun that everybody is participating not just in analysing this movie, but potentially in creating whatever happens in the next one."
So, did Ned break Doctor Strange's spell? Does this signal that MJ is about to remember Peter? Do Ned's powers have something to do with this?
We might not be getting any solid answers right now, but we're certainly going to be theorising away until we do.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is out now in cinemas.
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Authors
Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
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