Rumors are swirling about Spider-Man 4’s main villain. Recent reports hint at an unexpected character possibly taking center stage. However, uncertainty remains, with some suggesting the secrecy is meant to keep fans guessing.
Spider-Slayer may just be the real villain of Spider-Man: Brand New Day
A new theory claims Spider-Man 4 could introduce Alistair Smythe, also known as Spider-Slayer, as its main villain.
Even with production of Spider-Man: Brand New Day underway in the U.K., Marvel and Sony have not confirmed who Peter Parker will ultimately face. While Michael Mando is returning as Scorpion to resolve an eight-year-old cliffhanger from Spider-Man: Homecoming, reports state he is not the film’s primary antagonist.
Alistair Smythe, a robotics expert, built the Spider-Slayers, machines created to hunt Spider-Man. Alistair’s father, Spencer Smythe, created the project after receiving a commission from J. Jonah Jameson, who might also return in the film.
Alistair later launched his own vendetta against Spider-Man, briefly working under Kingpin before continuing alone. In the comics, he transformed into a cyborg and enhanced villains such as Scorpion, Boomerang, and Vulture.
Leaked designs and concept art add weight to Smythe’s theory. Early reports linked a Samurai character to Wolverine’s Silver Samurai, but comparisons showed clear similarities to Spider-Slayer armor. A red logo spotted on a tank during Glasgow filming also matched the horned insignia tied to Spider-Slayer helmets, sparking speculation that it belongs to Smythe’s creations.
Further links come from Daniel Richtman, who claimed Spider-Man 4’s antagonist is “NONE of the villains that we heard about,” ruling out Mr. Negative and aligning with Smythe as a fresh option. Other rumored inclusions, such as Boomerang, Ramrod, and Tombstone, also tie into Smythe’s history of modifying villains. Ramrod’s cyborg background in particular matches his established storyline.
Casting calls link a “resourceful young man in his early 20s” and a 30-50-year-old authority figure “willing to cross lines to maintain order” to Alistair and Spencer Smythe, reinforcing Spider-Slayer’s potential role as Spider-Man 4’s true villain.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.
