SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY Star Michael Mando Continues To Tease Scorpion's Venomous Transformation
Michael Mando is at it again, fueling fan speculation that his character Mac Gargan, better known as Scorpion, will not only return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day but could also be on the verge of a venomous transformation.
The actor first appeared as Gargan in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Mando posted a cryptic image to Instagram, igniting the speculation about his comeback and where it might take him. The photo featured Gargan’s makeup from Homecoming, giving fans a clear nod to the character’s dark roots.
Now, the actor has shared yet another social media post, which some are interpreting as a sign that Scorpion could merge with the Venom symbiote in the upcoming film.
In Marvel Comics lore, Gargan becomes the third host of the Venom symbiote after Eddie Brock. During his time bonded with the alien parasite, he even joins the Dark Avengers, posing as a twisted version of Spider-Man.
The MCU hasn't yet taken that direction, but recent rumors suggest that Brand New Day will include some kind of symbiote storyline. Mando’s posts have only added fuel to that theory.
In the comics, Mac Gargan’s Venom is a savage evolution and is far more vicious and unhinged than Eddie Brock. If the MCU follows that path, we could see Gargan go from street-level villain to full-blown lethal protector... or menace.
So far, Mando has yet to be spotted on set, but the production hasn’t exactly been shy about its ambitious action scenes. One reported sequence features Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle / The Punisher, trying to run Gargan off the road in an intense chase, seemingly intent on taking him out. Meanwhile, Spider-Man intervenes, doing everything he can to stop Castle from executing Gargan.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will also star Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / The Hulk and Liza Colón-Zayas in an undisclosed role. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will return as MJ and Ned, though they reportedly won’t play a major part in this chapter of Peter Parker’s story.
The release date for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is set to swing into theaters a week later on July 31, 2026.