'It Seems a Little Open-Ended': Spider-Man: Brand New Day's Jacob Batalon Discusses the Movie's Big Moment Between Peter and Ned
Spider-Man: Brand New Day actor Jacob Batalon has discussed his interpretation for the movie's big final moment between Peter and Ned.
Warning! Spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day follow...
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Batalon was asked about his final scene with Tom Holland, and whether their characters' handshake suggested that Ned's memories of Peter had been restored.
While Batalon stopped short of providing an official confirmation, the actor said that Ned remembering his secret handshake with Peter implied "a slight glint or little glimmer" of recognition had returned.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day picks up the action some five years after Spider-Man: No Way Home, which concluded with Ned, MJ and the rest of the world all forgetting who Spider-Man's real identity was. Years on, Brand New Day confirms that Ned and MJ still don't remember Peter at all, despite the latter finding Peter's letter he wrote to her professing his love.
That said, there are clues that the characters do still remember something of Peter, even subconsciously so. In the scene where Peter hangs out with Ned and MJ in their flat, MJ draws Spider-Man in his Homecoming suit, and at the end of the film, MJ is back on the rooftop she previously visited with Peter, holding the necklace that Peter gave her.
Fans have various theories for what's going on, from Ned and MJ's interactions beginning to unlock their memories naturally, to the effects of Jean Grey's forcefield giving their memories a nudge.
Another clue here seems to come from the Hulk, who said that being possessed by Jean had the effect of unlocking something that had been kept behind a barrier. It's suggested that Hulk also remembers Peter, which is potentially why he lets Spider-Man go and lets himself fall from the building instead.
All of which takes to that handshake with Ned, which Batalon says has been left "a little open-ended."
"What if it’s just muscle memory? What if he just remembers that handshake but nothing else about Peter? What if he just repeats 'Peter' because that’s what Peter says his name is in that moment? I don’t know," Batalon said.
"I feel like it’s really up to interpretation for everyone. There could be a slight glint or little glimmer [of recognition], if you will."
As part of the same interview, Batalon was also asked about Brand New Day's post-credits scene, which features the Spidey Tracker app that Ned built. Unfortunately, Batalon seemed completely in the dark on this. "You think me, of all people, knows top-brass-level information?" he responded. "Come on."
Will MJ and Ned have their memories of Peter fully restored? This is likely something we'll see explored in the inevitable Spider-Man 5, which seems certain now that Brand New Day has done so well at the box office. Indeed, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has noted that there are plans for more Spidey adventures and Holland has said he's keen to help eventually introduce Miles Morales into the MCU.
Image credit: Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social