Punisher & Smart Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day / MCU X-Men Director

Mutant Mayhem & Meta Madness! Unpacking Spider-Man's Next Foe, X-Men's New Vision, and a Social Sequel

This week on Talking Through The Movies, we dove headfirst into a whirlwind of cinematic and television news, from the biggest superhero rumors to surprising sequel announcements and our take on the latest in sci-fi comedy. If you missed the live show, buckle up, because we're recapping all the thrills!

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Spider-Man's New Day: A Hulk, A Punisher, and a Lot of Questions

The rumor mill for Spider-Man: A New Day (often referred to as Spider-Man 4) is churning, and it's bringing some heavy hitters into Peter Parker's world: Punisher and Smart Hulk. Imagine a street-level showdown where Spider-Man and Punisher might even team up against a rampaging Hulk! Theories suggest a deeper dive into Peter and Bruce Banner's backstories, possibly tying into Darkforce and Lightforce.

This is huge news. The inclusion of Punisher would signal a darker, more grounded tone for Spidey's next adventure, and a Hulk appearance always means massive stakes. The potential for a character like Frank Castle, known for his brutal methods, to interact with the more morally upright Spider-Man opens up fascinating narrative possibilities. Will this be a true "Brand New Day" for Peter, forcing him to navigate a world where heroes operate in shades of gray? We discussed how this could shape the future of Tom Holland's Spider-Man and the broader MCU.

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X-Men's New Maestro & The Social Network's Surprising Return

Speaking of the MCU, we got some exciting, albeit unconfirmed by the director himself, news regarding the highly anticipated MCU X-Men reboot. Jake Schreier, known for his work on Thunderbolts (and critically acclaimed series like Beef), is reportedly set to direct. This choice signals a potentially nuanced, character-driven approach to the mutants, balancing ensemble dynamics with the social commentary inherent to the X-Men. Schreier's ability to handle complex themes and character chemistry, as seen in Thunderbolts (which was a hit with critics), bodes well for bringing Marvel's iconic mutant team to the big screen.

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Then, a curveball: The Social Network Part II is reportedly in the works, with Aaron Sorkin returning to write and direct! Drawing inspiration from The Wall Street Journal's "The Facebook Files," this sequel aims to explore the evolution of Facebook since its inception, touching on the controversies and impact of the social media giant in recent years. It's a timely announcement that promises to delve into the very real-world consequences of technology.