Woah! 

Within just 24 hours after releasing the trailer broke records with over 500 million views, more than any other video game trailer previously, even Grand Theft Auto VI. 

Wow, we got to break GTA VI records before GTA VI. 

But, while the record setting number is impressive, the emotional feel is what was emphasized. It is no longer simply a continuation of the Spider-Man universe we already know. Rather, Spider-Man’s universe is resetting him through an emotionally vulnerable Peter Parker.

Life Without Peter Parker? 

The trailer starts four years after No Way Home, where Peter Parker sacrificed everything to protect those he loves by erasing himself from their memories. Now that one choice has defined Peter’s entire life and has become the emotional weight of Tom Holland’s (the actor playing Spider-Man) character. 

Picking up on this lack of recognition will be a key emotional point of the upcoming movie. Without Mary Jane and Ned, (friends of Spider-Man) he will no longer live both his regular and super hero lives. 

This is a Peter Parker who is drastically different in both age and mannerisms than in prior Spider-Man films. Tom Holland’s portrayal of a blank faced kid has left behind all of his jokes and energy. Instead, this Peter cannot find a reason to smile. No longer is he a carefree kid wanting to prove to the world he belongs in the super hero realm. Now the character embodies all the impacts of making your own choices. 

The element that has intrigued many with the trailer for the film has been Peter’s deteriorating ability to use his powers. 

Spider-Man is not at the height of his abilities in the film, rather the audience will see what happens when his powers fail him.

Building on this concept of Peter’s deteriorating powers, the character Bruce Banner’s inclusion opens up the film to suggest that there might be an underlying cause for Peter’s declining powers. 

As such, there are many speculations regarding what a transformation arc for the character could look like in the film. 

A Return to Street Level Storytelling

The other refreshing element within the trailer is the apparent departure from the multiverse storytelling of the previous few films. The film appears to involve a much more focused street level, contained story than has been the case with other Marvel films.

Ghar aaya pardesi energy? We’re SO digging it! 

New York City is featured as a character in the film again; Additionally, the emergence of criminal organizations in New York City (including The Hand) will illustrate a shift towards a darker and yeah, interconnected street level urban narrative. This thematic change aligns Spider-Man with the darker aspects of the Marvel Universe where moral ambiguity abounds, and the ramifications of action are felt within a short time frame.

This new approach will also allow for a much more intimate and personal storytelling perspective. The stakes in this film are not related to saving multiple universes or dimensions; they are related to Peter Parker learning how to exist in a city that will not recognize or remember him as a hero.

SIGH! 

The Return Of The Punisher; Expanding The Edges Of The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

Jon Bernthal returning as The Punisher, one of the trailer’s best aura farming moments, sets the tone for the story; a character whose modus operandi is the complete opposite of Spider-Man’s now appears in the Spider-Man universe.

This is not about two characters joining forces (working together). This is about two characters that will come into conflict with one another based on their philosophies. Spider-Man demonstrates a belief of restraint while The Punisher believes in ultimate consequence. The on-going conflict between the two could begin to be one of this film’s most fluid yet impactful (‘ka-boom’ type of impact) character arcs.

In addition to The Punisher returning to the Spider-Man universe, with Scorpion (and presumably The Hand) also returning, this indicates that this film has a layering of villains. Rather than an individual villain, this film is creating a nexus of villains, all working towards some larger but still undefined reason for being.

The Tone Shift

It becomes obvious by the end of the trailer that Brand New Day is not using the same formula as those before it. The visuals are darker. The pacing of the movie appears much slower. (More thought this time ) And the stakes of the story are much higher than previously.

Mere ko toh aisa dhak dhak horela hai baba..

There is also a heavier emphasis on Peter Parker’s identity, isolation and transformation. He is no longer searching for a way to live in this world. Rather, he is now just trying to survive in a world that has erased his existence. This creates an environment for how this character operates and there is a fundamental leadership difference between his former and current states.

Mutation, Hand-Daredevil Team & More: Fan Theories Go BANANASSSSS

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be an important transition for the character going forward within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It will emphasize internal relationship difficulties of Peter rather than external conflict and create a story based on loss/self-identity instead of just focusing on doing good or heroic acts.

If the film follows through with the design objectives found in its trailer, then it will represent a significantly different form of storytelling going forward for the Spider-Man character; meaning it will be based on depth and not breadth.

As already mentioned, there has been a large amount of chatter in regards to the fan reactions to the trailer of Brand New Day.

For example, on Reddit there are multiple groups of fans (many of whom are self-proclaimed movie editors) are rating every frame against fan theories and providing real-time responses.

The CRAZZYYY of the internet has yet again been activated since the trailer dropped. 

Here are some fan theories: 

The Mutation and Organic Webbing Theory

A lot of discussion regarding this film has revolved around the subject of Spider-Man evolving in a way that we have never seen before.

“Depressed Spider-Man, organic webbing, mutation, Scorpion, Punisher, Hulk, The Hand, Boomerang, everything. This is going to be the greatest Spider-Man film in all history!!!!”

The Hand’s Connection to Daredevil?

Many viewers have speculated on the chance that they could see Daredevil at some point appearing in this film due to The Hand’s appearance.

“I really hope that Daredevil is in this movie. If The Hand is in this movie, Matt Murdock could definitely be there laying the smack down!!”

However, there are others that are talking about how The Hand could expand on the street-level side of the MCU in a way that we have never seen before.

The Punisher, woooahhhh 

The amount of excitement that Jon Bernthal has generated returning to the Punisher role has been tremendous. (See snippet).

“Webbing. Punisher. Hulk. Scorpion. This is going to be one of the greatest movies of all time!!!”

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the differences in Spider-Man’s and The Punisher’s styles.

The Emotional State of Peter Parker

Another concern of audiences and fans has been what direction they will take the story emotionally.

“At times, Spider-Man has no choice but to make the hard choice and it may be very painful for Peter Parker.”

Speculation on Villains and Future Set Up, hmmm

There has been a lot of mythology built up around Jackal and what that may have to do with future storylines.

“So basically, is Jackal secretly the main villain? I’m thinking all the mutation stuff may be leading us here.”

“Everything we have seen in these comics has occurred because of Jackal, and everything in link to Spider-Man 5: The Clone Saga Part 1 has occurred because of Jackal being the main villain.”

The Brand New Day arc has opened up many doors for the changes that will occur in the years to come.

Fans are going GAGA, and who can blame them yaaar! 

After all, mera Spiderman ghar aaya, O raam ji! 

“Our first Spidey-Four!!! I never thought I would see this happen and over the last few years I have found myself saying that you have been right on all of it since 2014!!!!”

“The look of everything is perfect; this movie is going to be extremely dynamic.”