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"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has been in theaters for over a week, and Sony Pictures officially lifted the spoiler embargo last night, allowing media outlets to publish their pre-written interview features. Among them, The Wrap specifically featured an interview with Chris McKenna (pictured left) and Erik Sommers (pictured right), the screenwriting duo behind all four MCU "Spider-Man" films, who shared insights into the making of the latest entry.
The duo first stated that this marked the first time in the series that Spider-Man operated without an older mentor. While he did encounter older figures such as The Punisher and Bruce Banner, his relationships with them were portrayed as more mature, evolving into partnerships rather than student-mentor dynamics.
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McKenna and Sommers also revealed that they initially conceived of a villain with psychic control abilities. However, Jean Grey wasn't always the chosen antagonist; they had explored other potential villains, but none quite fit the narrative of this particular installment.
The writers also confirmed that Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple, known as "Nurse Claire" from the street-level hero series, did have a cameo that ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor. Claire's scene was originally slated to appear after Spider-Man's final confrontation with The Scorpion and before his meeting with Bruce Banner, with Spider-Man seeking her out at a hospital. McKenna and Sommers further elaborated that the Time Variance Authority (TVA) was also part of the initial script but was later removed. Sommers recalled that they conceived of the TVA's inclusion before its return in "Loki" Season 2 and "Deadpool & Wolverine."
McKenna and Sommers additionally confirmed their involvement as screenwriters for the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday." This isn't their first collaboration with the acclaimed Russo Brothers directing duo, as McKenna and Sommers previously served as co-writers on the television series "Community," which the Russos executive produced and directed years prior.