Marvel Studios is gearing up to unleash a new wave of chaos on the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the next film of Phase 6. So far, Phase 6 has only released one film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, but it has already delighted us with a multitude of major villains, introducing Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and even Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in a post-credits scene. That will change this summer, when six more major villains descend upon New York City in the next film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 6.
Officially licensed merchandise for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 6 film Spider-Man: New Day has caused a stir online. Figures in opaque bags were recently spotted on Target store shelves, and the images confirmed the identities of several key antagonists.
The six characters, presented in collectible form, give a clearer idea of just how impressive the Phase 6 films' villain roster is than even the first trailer.
First up, let's look at Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, who isn't technically a villain, but does battle Tom Holland's Spider-Man at one point in the film.
At the beginning of the film, Bruce Banner wears an inhibitor on his wrist to maintain his human form. But it becomes increasingly clear that something is wrong, the inhibitor malfunctions, and the Savage Hulk breaks free in New York City.
However, Peter was prepared for this possibility or would find a solution in the Phase 6 movie, as a new mode was discovered on the packaging of the toys for the movie "Brand New Day" «anti-gamma webs, built into his suit.
The new product also features Tarantula, who is expected to appear early in the film in a supposed montage scene, but little is known about this Phase 6 MCU villain.
One of the most interesting characters in this film is undoubtedly Tombstone (Marvin Jones III), and for good reason. Tombstone, also known as Lonnie Lincoln, wasn't featured in the first official trailer, and official information about the characters is extremely limited.
In the comics, Tombstone is a hardened crime lord with virtually indestructible skin and superhuman strength, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe version seems to live up to that image.
Following the recent character design reveal, this new production seems to fit perfectly with the direction Destin Daniel Cretton and the creative team are heading.
Another Phase 6 character we'll be introducing in Brand New Day is Michael Mando's Scorpion. Mac Gargan returns after his appearance in Spider-Man: Homecoming, ready to finally exact his revenge on Spidey. And now the climax has finally arrived: Gargan will suit up in Scorpion's fully mechanized exoskeleton to face Holland's Spider-Man.
The rest of the set, packaged in an opaque bag, includes Boomerang, a resourceful assassin who wields razor-sharp projectile weapons. His appearance in the film is confirmed, though his role is expected to be relatively limited.
Finally, the Red Ninja represents "The Hand," an ancient order of ninjas making their big-screen debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Phase 6 after years of appearances on Netflix in The Defenders saga.
Also inexplicably released was a "Smart Hulk" toy, featuring a version of the character that fans weren't expecting to see, but which may hint at how Banner's story will end by the end of the film.
The new film "Brand New Day," due out July 31, will introduce a host of villains for Spider-Man to battle, expanding his roster for Phase 6. The new production doesn't even mention Tramell Tillman's William Metzger, who will likely be pursuing Sadie Sink's character (expected to be Jean Grey), or Jon Bernthal's big-screen debut as the morally ambiguous Punisher.
However, this is just the beginning of the villainous lineup for Phase 6, and Avengers: Doomsday represents the biggest threat to emerge in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in nearly a decade.
In the sixth phase, all roads lead to destruction.
As impressive as the Phase 6 villain roster in New Day is, none of them are the main event. That honor belongs to Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, who will soon be considered the greatest threat to the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Thanos.
Marvel Studios has intentionally condensed Phase 6 to just four films: Fantastic Four: Breaking Bad, Spider-Man: New Day, Avengers: Doomsday (December 18), and Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027). Three years, four films.
By the standards of recent Marvel Cinematic Universe films, this is a rather meager list, but this restraint is intentional. When Doom finally takes center stage, the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four will be trying to save their own realities.
As for Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker is rumored to be more likely to appear in Twilight than Holland's, though Holland seems firmly committed to appearing in Secret Wars. In any case, the Phase 6 villains in New Day are Peter's problem, while Doom is everyone else's.