- Primary Subject: Marisa Tomei's potential return as Aunt May in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Key Update: Marisa Tomei’s appearance at the UK premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has reignited fan speculation about whether Aunt May returns.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 30, 2026
- Quick Answer: Marisa Tomei’s premiere appearance stems from her ongoing connection to the franchise, with her role in the new film keeping fans guessing until release.
Marisa Tomei attended the UK premiere event of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Does it mean that Aunt May appears in the movie?
Aside from what's in store for Spider-Man's next solo adventure, fans have been wondering whether the new film will feature cameo appearances from other fan-favorite characters in the MCU. We've been hearing a lot of rumors and speculation over the last several months, including the potential appearance of Peter Parker's deceased aunt.
SPOILER WARNING: This article includes spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, so proceed with caution.
Is Aunt May in Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Why Marisa Tomei is in the UK Premiere
Marisa Tomei showed up at the UK premiere event of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, reuniting with Tom Holland five years after the release of No Way Home.
Given that Aunt May died in the previous film, some fans were wondering why the actress attended the premiere event. Does it mean that she still has an appearance in Brand New Day? Or was she present to support her former co-stars?
The answer is simply yes. Tomei does have an appearance in the new MCU film and reprises the role of Aunt May.
While the character met her demise in No Way Home, she is still a pivotal part of Brand New Day since her memory still lingers on Peter Parker's current journey, and we see him visiting her grave multiple times throughout the film.
Not only that, we get to see Aunt May physically again through a flashback sequence that shows her discovering Peter Parker as Spider-Man for the first time.
She showed up again in the climax, where the sequence was repeated again but through a dream-like vision where it's Aunt May who gave Jean Grey the advice of how scary it is to have so much power, and it became the turning point for Jean to change her mind.
It was a delight to see Tomei again in the role, even if it's a flashback sequence, and the character still has a presence in the film even though she is not physically part of Peter Parker's journey anymore.
What Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day About?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will mark an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves.
Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city, a full-time Spider-Man, but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.
The main cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, Florence Pugh, and Liza Colon-Zayas.
The film is releasing in theaters worldwide this week. It will also be available on IMAX in select international markets.
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