Spider-Man 5 Will Address Brand New Day's Ending Theory With Peter & Ned

WARNING: This article includes MAJOR spoilers from Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise is finally starting its new era for Peter Parker, while adding fresh mysteries to his latest appearance.

The Multiverse Saga is nearing its end, as Phase 6 has only a handful of TV shows and movies left in the slate before things come to an end for the ongoing story arc from Marvel Studios. However, the MCU timeline has finally brought back one of its all-time favorite superheroes, but also raised new questions for a key relationship in the franchise.

Deadline recently interviewed Spider-Man. Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton, and one of the big questions that naturally came up was the final scene between Peter and Ned Leeds, and whether or not Jacob Batalon’s character fully remembered his best friend despite Doctor Strange’s spell. While treading carefully, the MCU filmmaker stated, “Listen, we’re definitely not trying to torture people with ambiguity. 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.”

He stressed that “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.” Cretton finished his response by adding that “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 analyzing this movie, but potentially in creating whatever happens in the next one.”

One of the pivotal moments was when Zendaya’s MJ refers to the web-head as “Peter” in front of Ned. That is why there has been a lot of discussion about whether the spell’s effect on Ned was actually broken, given that he rapidly began to remember their secret handshake during the Spider-Man: Brand New Day ending.

While Cretton intends to make sure it’s properly explained if Ned got his memories back, it’s key to remember that Spider-Man 5 has not been formally announced to be greenlit just yet. In a separate interview with Deadline, when they asked producer Amy Pascal if there’s a writers’ room for the next installment, she commented that “There’s no writers room. If we have our way, he [Cretton] certainly will be.”

Since Spider-Man: Brand New Day has reached $1 billion at the worldwide box office after only six days, a fifth film is bound to happen at some point. However, new deals would have to be made between Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios, as their collaboration is picture-by-picture.

Pascal confirmed to Deadline that each film has its own setup, saying that “it’s always been a picture-by-picture basis.” But she stressed that she “love working with Kevin, Marvel and [Marvel co-president] Lou [D’Esposito] and all those guys. It’s such a wonderful partnership, and I think we always put Peter first, and that’s why it works.”

While contracts have yet to be signed, Kevin Feige commented to Variety that he is hopeful about making Spider-Man 5. The Marvel Studios president teased that “there are always plans. But right now, he’s going to rest after that global tour. He and Zendaya are going to take a good and restful victory lap, which they very much deserve.”

Given the strong reception from the Spider-Man: Brand New Day reviews and its early commercial success, another Spider-Man installment with Holland feels like a safe bet. It’s a matter of when it will happen rather than if, as the web-slinger’s popularity has definitely not decreased.

Since Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are the only upcoming MCU movies for Phase 6, Spider-Man 5 won’t happen for quite a while. At this point, if the world is lucky, it may not be until Phase 7 that Holland gets another solo adventure, and that will all depend on how long it takes to develop the next sequel.

Catch Spider-Man. Brand New Day in theaters.