Tom Holland’s ‘Spider Man’ ending was inspired by a surprise fan reaction, Kevin Feige reveals

Kevin Feige has revealed that a spontaneous reaction from Spider Man fans during the earliest days of filming helped shape the ending of Spider Man: Brand New Day, giving the Marvel blockbuster a surprisingly personal connection to the people who came out to watch production.

The Marvel Studios president discussed the making of the film during an appearance at the University of Southern California, where he reflected on the reaction surrounding the first week of filming in Glasgow, Scotland. According to Feige, hundreds of people gathered around the production and recorded what they were seeing on their phones.

The sequence being filmed involved Spider Man performing a large stunt around a tank, with a stunt performer swinging from a rig above the vehicle. The scale of the shoot attracted considerable attention, but Feige said the reaction from people watching had an impact on the filmmakers for another reason.

He recalled fans calling out their affection for the superhero while watching the action unfold. Feige said people were "literally coming out and saying, 'We love you, Spider Man,'" a response that reminded Marvel and director Destin Daniel Cretton how powerful the character remains when audiences see Spider Man brought to life in the real world.

That experience ultimately informed the emotional idea behind the film's ending. After Peter Parker is injured during the final confrontation, he eventually emerges from a hospital to find a crowd waiting outside and cheering for him. The moment gives Tom Holland's version of Spider Man a striking public show of support after years of isolation and uncertainty.

Feige explained that the reaction during the first week of production "really invigorated all of us and Destin" and helped reinforce the idea that the film should capture the affection people have for Spider Man. The connection between the beginning of production and the final sequence gives the ending an unusual real world origin.

The revelation also adds another layer to Peter's journey across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the events of Spider Man: Far From Home, Peter became publicly associated with the controversy surrounding Mysterio, while the events of Spider Man: No Way Home ultimately left him living without the personal relationships he once had.

Spider Man: Brand New Day shifts the character towards a different position. Peter is still dealing with loneliness, but the public perception of Spider Man has changed dramatically. The hospital sequence shows ordinary people recognising him as a hero and openly expressing their support.

Tom Holland leads the film as Peter Parker, with Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo and Jon Bernthal also appearing in the cast. Destin Daniel Cretton directed the film, with Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers credited as writers.

The film has also become a major commercial success. Box Office Mojo currently lists Spider Man: Brand New Day with a worldwide gross exceeding $2.3 billion, including more than $896m domestically and over $1.44bn internationally.