The Filipino American actor returns as Ned Leeds in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ opening July 31
LOS ANGELES — Jacob Batalon was at the beginning of his acting career when he joined the production of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016.
A decade later, the Filipino American actor is returning as Ned Leeds in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth film in the Spider-Man series led by Tom Holland.
Asked what he would tell the younger version of himself entering the franchise, Batalon offered a brief warning: “Buckle up.”
The actor recalled being unfamiliar with the workings of a large movie production when he arrived on the Homecomingset. The role became his first major studio assignment and placed him alongside Holland and Zendaya in one of Marvel’s most widely followed film series.
Born and raised in Honolulu by Filipino parents, Batalon had appeared in the independent film North Woods before being cast as Ned, Peter Parker’s closest friend.
Spider-Man: Homecoming opened in 2017. Batalon returned for Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019 and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. He also appeared as Ned in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
The conclusion of No Way Home left Peter in a world where no one, including Ned and MJ, remembered him.
Sony Pictures’ synopsis for Brand New Day finds Peter fighting crime full time as Spider-Man while watching his former friends continue their lives without him. The pressure contributes to a change in Peter that he may be unable to control. The studio’s public description does not disclose the extent of Ned’s role in the story.
Destin Daniel Cretton directed the film from a screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. The announced cast includes Holland, Zendaya, Batalon, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to open exclusively in theaters July 31, marking 10 years since Batalon first joined the franchise.
