Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.The newest installment in the Tom Holland Spider-Man franchise, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is finally here, and it is considered the best of the franchise. This fourth Spidey production in the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t just a great film, but it is a gigantic treat for any fan of the Wall-Crawler’s comic book mythology.

It’s more than clear that Holland and director Destin Daniel Cretton love the source material, and that not only shows through the quality of the movie, but also in the cameos they include. There are plenty of characters in this project that are not only references to classic niche Spidey villains, but also other MCU characters and notable actors in the industry.

8

Cindy Moon

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Comic book fans know the one and only Cindy Moon as one of the newer additions to the Marvel Comics Spider-Family, Silk. However, many may not realize that the character actually is part of the MCU, first introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and surprisingly makes a return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

When Peter Parker attends the university being taught by Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) at Empire State University, Cindy happens to be in the class and gets a little featured moment. This is an incredibly small cameo, but it’s interesting that, of all Peter’s old classmates to find themselves in the project, they chose Cindy… Who knows, a Silk project was in the works for a while, so this could be some subliminal messaging from Sony and Marvel Studios.

7

Ramrod

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Right off the bat, when Spider-Man: Brand New Day begins, a montage kicks off that depicts where Peter has been in the four years since Spider-Man: No Way Home. During this, fans of the Spider-Man comic books get to see some quick recreations of classic books from the hero’s mythology, which includes some niche villains.

Even some fans of the source material might not know who Ramrod (Billy Clements) is, and no one would blame them for it. For one quick moment, Spidey fans get to see the recreation of Amazing Spider-Man #221 (1981) — an iconic and memorable Ramrod cover. This is just one of a good couple of comic book cover recreations, and it’s a very fun one. It’s one thing to utilize bigger foes in a sequence like this, but giving some attention to the smaller players is abundantly respectable. Everyone knows Scorpion, but who knows Ramrod? That’s right, no one.

6

Tarantula

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Another Spider-Man villain that is smaller and may not be known by a few is Tarantula. Within the opening montage, Cretton brings the cover of Amazing Spider-Man #134 (1974) to the screen. Anton Miguel Rodriquez is a classic foe who, in the original appearance, was a very political character. Creator Gerry Conway (may he rest in peace) cited the political upheavals in South America during the 1970s as part of the inspiration for the character.

With a history like this, it’s fun that the director decided to introduce him to the MCU and bring some variety in for the enemies of the movie universe. The Tarantula mantle would go on to be carried on by a few others throughout the years, so he has a more prominent role in the books than the likes of Ramrod, making this a special appearance for the smaller number of fans of him.

5

Sheila Rivera

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

After the events of Daredevil: Born Again — where Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) was finally arrested and lost his position as mayor — someone needed to take up the mantle of the leader of New York City, and Sheila Rivera (Zabryna Guevara) was perfect. Acting only in the television series before this, the newest Spider-Man movie is her first MCU cinema appearance.

When it’s quickly shown that Spider-Man received the key to the city, the one to give it to him is Rivera herself. When Fisk was arrested, she became acting mayor, and it’s cool to see that was still the case in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. With people pretty much begging to see more street-level heroes in the world of the Web-Slinger, it’s a treat to see another character aside from Punisher (Jon Bernthal) from Daredevil: Born Again appear.

4

“The Boyfriend”

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

After appearing as the fan-favorite Star Wars character, Ezra Bridger, in the Disney+ streaming series Ahsoka, actor Eman Esfandi became a lot more well-known to general geekdom. Only appearing once, Esfandi plays Michelle Jones-Watson’s (Zendaya) new boyfriend, who brings a lot of emotional conflict for Peter Parker. It causes him so much distress that he goes for a swing and falls a little too far before thwipping another web, making it pretty obvious how much hurt he’s feeling.

A lot of people assumed that if Cretton and co. were going to bring Esfandi in to play a character, he’d be a lot more of an important role, but the actor makes a pretty small appearance. So small, in fact, that he doesn’t even get a name in the credits. One can only hope that, moving forward, “The Boyfriend” becomes more of an important character, bringing more emotional conflict to the story between Michelle and Peter. He could be a great antagonistic figure in the next project, with Michelle possibly being part of a future love triangle between the three.

3

Boomerang

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

One of the goofiest and most fun smaller Spider-Man villains is the one and only Boomerang. Recently, the boomerang-wielding baddie had a great role in the main plot of Amazing Spider-Man (2018), in which Peter has to actually be a roommate to the classic Spidey villain. While he is commonly treated as a joke — his role in Amazing Spider-Man (2018) was hilarious—he can also be a very dangerous guy who has, on occasion, given the hero a run for his money.

This is another character that gets a one-shot moment in the opening montage, but is a special treat for readers who have been invested in the Wall-Crawler for a while. This almost makes one wish that they could have given a little more action to the blue-clad bad guy. Maybe one day in the future, right, Kevin Feige? With the fifth Spider-Man movie hopefully on the way soon, Boomerang is a potential villain who could be considered for the next rogues roster.

2

Tombstone

Image via Sony Pictures Television

While the web-swinging Wall-Crawler has a long history of fighting the New York City underground crime ring, which is primarily led by Wilson Fisk, one of his other crime lord baddies, Tombstone — played by Marvin Jones III in Spider-Man: Brand New Day — is extremely underrated. Being a main antagonist in the legendary The Spectacular Spider-Man television show, fans really enjoy this tough-as-nails crime boss who’s got a strong grip on the underworld of New York City.

He gets a cameo — which is longer than most of the other villains in the montage — at the top of the film, where he and Spidey trade a couple of lines of dialogue with each other. Spider-Man fans have said for quite some time that if he isn’t going to face Kingpin in the MCU, they should bring in Tombstone. Finally, they have, and they’d be smart to bring him back in the future, especially with an acting titan like Marvin Jones III. With Fisk in jail now, he also may be the only option, at least for the time being. He’s a bit stronger than the other crime lord, as well, with nearly impenetrable skin, making him an extremely difficult foe to face on a physical level. A toe-to-toe confrontation was hinted at in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but if fans and general audiences get lucky enough, they’ll actually get to see a confrontation in the future — so long as they go and greenlight another Spidey movie.

1

Yelena Belova

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) has become a total fan-favorite ever since she was introduced in Black Widow and then became even more of a main character in 2025’s Thunderbolts*. Peter and Yelena are, in some ways, very similar, and a crossover between them was a great idea. While their two interactions in the movie aren’t super long, they have some great interactions, and their dynamic is perfect.

This also really hones in on the fact that Spidey is far more street-level now, with the New Avengers leader considering Peter’s issues as “small potatoes”. It’s also a real treat to see that the young hero still has some connections with the big dogs in The Avengers. Yelena’s two cameos are such a fun time, and not only that, but they also convey some extremely important information within the plot, making them not just moments for a giggle or two, but genuinely integral inclusions.

Advertisement

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Advertisement

Release Date

July 31, 2026

Advertisement

Runtime

145 Minutes

Director

Advertisement

Destin Daniel Cretton

Writers

Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 

  Spider-Man / Peter Parker

• 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Taylor Sheridan‘s Lioness has put in a lot of work to make their cast look very different than they do in real life.

Created by Sheridan, the hit Paramount+ series is a spy thriller that follows the leader of a CIA team that enlists female operatives — known as Lionesses — to go undercover in the war on terror.

The first two seasons followed Joe (Zoe Saldaña) as she recruited Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) and Josie (Genesis Rodriguez) to go undercover. A season 2 mission put the team at risk that nearly ended in a group sacrifice.

Coming off the difficult mission that resulted in several injuries, Joe returned to D.C. and reunited with her husband, Neal (Dave Annable). Season 3 will follow Joe as she balances her personal and professional life.

Related: Which ‘Lioness’ Stars Are — And Aren’t — Returning for Season 3?

Lioness is returning for a third season — but is every cast member coming back? Created by Taylor Sheridan, the hit Paramount+ series is a spy thriller that follows the leader of a CIA team that enlists female operatives — known as Lionesses — to go undercover in the war on terror. The first two […]

Keep scrolling to see what the stars of Lioness look like in real life:

Zoe Saldana

On screen, Saldaña plays Joe McNamara a.k.a a CIA senior case officer in charge of the Lioness program

Laysla De Oliveira

De Oliveira won Us over as Cruz Manuelos, who is a Force Recon Marine and Lioness operative in the first season. She becomes an U.S. Army Delta Force operator attached to G Squadron and a handler in the second season.

Dave Annable

Saldaña’s onscreen husband is played by Annable. Dr. Neal McNamar is also a pediatric oncology surgeon.

Jill Wagner

Wagner plays Bobby, who is the team leader for the Lioness program’s QRF.

LaMonica Garrett

Garrett, meanwhile, is Tucker and is a QRF member and former U.S. Marine.

James Jordan

Jordan, who has worked with Sheridan in the past, is known as Two Cups.

Austin Hebert

Hébert’s Randy is another member of the QRF.

Jonah Wharton

Rounding out the Lioness program is Tex, who is also part of QRF.

Related: A Guide to Every Non-‘Yellowstone’ Show in the Taylor Sheridan Universe

As the man behind Yellowstone and its myriad spinoffs, Taylor Sheridan is one of the most important people at Paramount Network — but the Yellowstone universe is only one part of his empire. While other super-producers — Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes, for example — enlist other writers and directors to work on projects bearing […]

Nicole Kidman

Kidman has played Kaitlyn Meade — a CIA Clandestine Service supervisor and Joe’s boss — since season 1.

Morgan Freeman

Another star-studded addition is Freeman’s Edwin Mullins a.k.a the fictional U.S. Secretary of State.

Thad Luckinbill

Luckinbill has been playing Kyle, who is a CIA senior case officer and Joe’s colleague.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Michael Kelly

After being promoted in season 2, Byron Westfield continued his role on the show as the CIA’s Deputy Director of Operations and Kaitlyn’s boss.

Genesis Rodriguez

Rodriguez is known as Captain Josephina Carrillo, a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk pilot recruited into the Lioness program due to a family connection to the Mexican cartel.

Ian Bohen

Bohen will be introduced in season 3 as Grady. He is described as a U.S. Army Delta Force operator and K9 handler.

Paramount+ isn’t as prolific as competitors Netflix and HBO Max, but it’s quietly one of the best streamers around.

One big reason why is that it’s home to some of Taylor Sheridan‘s biggest shows, like 1923 with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

One of his most popular shows, the action drama Lioness, returns for a third season, along with stars Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman.

Paramount+ is also adding several classic films, like Risky Business with Tom Cruise and Dead Man Walking with Sean Penn.

Keep reading to find out all of Paramount+’s new movies and shows in August 2026.

August 1

10 Cloverfield Lane
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
As They Made Us
Babel
Basic Instinct
Best in Show
Blade Runner 2049
Body Cam
Brave the Dark
Cloverfield
Clue
Coneheads
Congo
Cop Land
Crawl
Crawlspace
Dead Man Walking
Disturbia
Don Jon
Duplex
Equilibrium
Escape From Alcatraz
For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada
Frankie & Johnny
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter
Get Hard
Gravity
He’s Just Not That Into You
Hustle & Flow
Indecent Proposal
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Katy Perry The Movie: Part of Me
Labor Day
Machine Gun Preacher
Million Dollar Baby
My Boss’s Daughter
On the Line
Organ Trail
Overlord
Risky Business
Sabrina
School Ties
Shaft
She’s the Man
Sliver
Some Kind of Wonderful
The Bodyguard
The Doors
The Hangover
The Hangover Part II
The Hangover Part III
The Heartbreak Kid
The Hunted
The Lego Movie
The Lovely Bones
The Perfect Score
The Saint
The Sandlot
The Score
The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Vault
The Yards
Vampire in Brooklyn
Varsity Blues
What Women Want
Where The Wild Things Are
Wild Wild West
You’re Dating a Narcissist!
You’ve Got Mail

August 2

Lioness – Season 3

August 4

Special Ops True – Season 1
Dana White Contender Series – Seasons 1-4

August 5

The Challenge: Cutthroat – Season 42

August 11

Dana White’s Contender Series – Season 10

August 15

Bleed For This

August 19

Average Joe – Season 2

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

August 22

The Harvest

August 23

The Cured

August 30

Blue Valentine

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s private wedding vows reportedly gave their guests a deeply personal look at the relationship behind one of the world’s most famous couples. Maren Morris was among the approximately 1,000 people invited to the couple’s July 3 ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The country singer has now shared new details about the lengthy vows, revealing that Swift and Kelce balanced heartfelt admissions with the playful humor that defines their relationship.

5

Morris described the couple’s exchange of vows as “beautiful” while speaking exclusively with PEOPLE. “It just felt like you really got a closer look into their love for each other and their sense of humor,” the 36-year-old singer said.

Swift and Kelce reportedly read vows that lasted approximately 20 minutes each, allowing their friends and relatives to hear the intimate details of their love story.

Morris, who is friends with Swift and has previously collaborated with her musically, said being included in such a significant moment was deeply meaningful. “Being one of 1,000 people that witnessed that, it was an honor,” Morris shared. “[The best part was] just celebrating their love for each other.”

Despite the enormous guest list and famous venue, Morris’ account suggests that the ceremony remained focused on the bride and groom rather than the spectacle surrounding them.

Couple Skipped A Traditional Wedding Party

5

Swift and Kelce did not surround themselves with a traditional group of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Instead, Swift’s brother, Austin, stood beside her as Man of Honor. Kelce selected his older brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, as his Best Man.

“Taylor & Travis did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, her brother, Austin Swift, served as Taylor’s Man of Honor, and Jason Kelce was Travis’ Best Man. The ceremony joined both families together and was officiated by friend Adam Sandler,” Swift’s representative confirmed in a statement.

Sandler reportedly brought his humor to the ceremony while also embracing the emotional responsibility of officiating the couple’s marriage.

Taylor Swift’s Wedding Featured Legendary Performers

5

The reception included performances from some of the biggest names in music. Paul McCartney performed The Beatles’ classic “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” while Stevie Nicks was also included in the evening’s entertainment lineup.

The guest list featured musicians, actors and celebrities from across both Swift and Kelce’s professional worlds. Reported attendees included Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, Machine Gun Kelly, Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid.

Morris admitted that she was overwhelmed by the number of recognizable people gathered inside Madison Square Garden. “I feel like my neck hurt by the end of the night because I just kept turning my head around seeing people I never thought I’d see before in person,” she said with a laugh.

The wedding also allowed Morris to meet new people and reunite with longtime friends she “hadn’t seen in a long time.”

Maren Morris Left The Wedding Feeling Hopeful About Love

5

Beyond the celebrity sightings and elaborate details, Morris said the couple’s relationship was what made the strongest impression on her. “It’s always an honor, and it’s inspiring when you go to a wedding and you feel this huge dose of hope for love. I think we all felt it that night for them,” the mother of one shared. “It was really fun.”

The singer finalized her divorce from Ryan Hurd in January 2024 after five years of marriage. The former couple share their six-year-old son, Hayes, and have continued co-parenting while living only minutes apart in Nashville. Morris later came out as bisexual in 2024

Although Morris has experienced her own major personal changes in recent years, witnessing Swift and Kelce’s commitment appeared to leave her feeling optimistic about romance.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Wore Custom Designer Looks

5

Swift and Kelce’s ceremony outfits were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture and designed by Jonathan Anderson, the creative director of Dior Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections.

Anderson reportedly collaborated closely with both the bride and groom to create looks suited to the scale and style of their Madison Square Garden ceremony.

Their shoes were custom-designed by Christian Louboutin, while Swift completed her bridal ensemble with Cartier jewelry.

Warner Bros.’ hopes for another trip to Barbie Land appear to be facing a costly setback. Talks with Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and the original creative team have yet to produce a deal as a key rights deadline approaches.

According to reports, director Greta Gerwig already has a “Barbie 2” story ready but is keeping it from the studio until the deals are finalized.

Plans for a second “Barbie” movie have reportedly stalled as Warner Bros. Discovery struggles to secure new deals with Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and the film’s creative team.

According to The New York Times, CEO David Zaslav has resisted offering Robbie and Gosling lucrative contracts that include profit participation. Gosling, who earned an Oscar nomination for playing Ken, is reportedly seeking a salary increase to $20 million.

The studio did not lock the cast into sequel agreements before the original film because the stars signed one-picture contracts as part of the deal to bring Greta Gerwig aboard as director. That means every major participant is now free to renegotiate following the movie’s $1.4 billion box-office run.

Warner Bros. co-chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca said the studio has made several “big offers” but has yet to reach an agreement. A spokesperson also denied that an approved deal framework had later been withdrawn.

Greta Gerwig Reportedly Keeping ‘Barbie 2’ Under Wraps

3

Beyond the money, another supposed big sticking point in the “Barbie 2” negotiations is the story itself. Gerwig and her husband and longtime writing partner, Noah Baumbach, are said to have already settled on a concept for the sequel and are ready to begin writing.

However, the pair reportedly won’t reveal a single plot detail to Warner Bros. until their contracts are finalized, giving them an unusual advantage in the ongoing talks.

The strategy marks a notable shift from Gerwig’s earlier stance. After “Barbie” became the highest-grossing film of 2023, she repeatedly insisted a sequel would only happen if she discovered another story worth telling. “If I find the undertow, then we get it. If I don’t find an undertow, there’s no more,” she said while accepting TIME’s Women of the Year honor in 2024.

Reports that Gerwig and Baumbach had cracked that story first surfaced late that same year, though Warner Bros. and representatives for the filmmakers publicly disputed that development at the time.

Why ‘Barbie’ Could Be Forced To Start Over From Scratch

Warner Bros. faces a December deadline to begin developing the sequel. If the studio fails to strike a deal before then, the “Barbie” franchise would effectively revert the sequel rights to Mattel, giving the toy giant full control of the property once again. But the company wouldn’t inherit the foundation Warner Bros. has spent years building.

The NY Times report says Mattel would have to redevelop the franchise from scratch, meaning it could not take the existing story elements or the filmmakers and stars attached to the current project to another studio.

That would leave Gerwig’s reported sequel idea on the shelf unless a new agreement is eventually reached. It would also put the future of Robbie, Gosling, and the rest of the original creative team in serious doubt.

‘Narnia’ Is Keeping Gerwig Busy

3

Warner Bros. might have to make a decision pretty soon on just how much it wants Gerwig to write and direct a “Barbie” sequel, given just how packed her slate already is.

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker is currently focused on “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” her ambitious adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy novel for Netflix. Gerwig wrote, directed and produced the film, which stars Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep.

The project is scheduled for a global theatrical release on Feb. 12, 2027, before debuting on Netflix on April 2.

The Cast Has Always Been Cautious About ‘Barbie 2’

3

The cast of “Barbie” has often been reluctant to promise fans a return to Barbie Land.

Speaking to TIME after the film’s record-breaking run, Robbie said discussions about the franchise had taken place but stressed that nothing had been decided. “It could go a million different directions from this point,” she said, adding that filmmakers can fall into “a bit of a trap” by trying to plan sequels while making the first movie.

Ryan Gosling has been just as guarded. During a fan Q&A at London’s BFI Southbank, the actor dismissed questions about a follow-up, saying, “I’m not going anywhere near that. We really know nothing.”

Still, Gosling couldn’t resist having a little fun with the idea. After insisting he had no inside information, he joked about Ken’s possible next evolution. “Can it be a Husky Ken? Can I play Husky Ken… like Sandwich Ken?” he asked, per Variety.

I’ve always had a habit of helping people find their dream dresses for every occasion. I mean, I did grow up working in a bridal boutique. After the brides, I adored the shoppers who came in looking for wedding guest dresses. These women loved to play around with color and different silhouettes. And funnily enough, when I look at the wedding guest dresses that are popular today, not much has changed.

Pleats, florals, rich colors and even halter necklines are still standard today. I scoured the internet to find the best wedding guest dresses that stand the test of time. One thing’s for sure: if you pick one of the dresses below, you’ll be able to wear it to countless weddings for years.

13 Wedding Guest Dresses That Never Go Out of Style

1. My Favorite: The best part of this tiered ruffle dress is that it looks incredible on every body type. The design disguises your midsection and the proportions are slimming. Slip into it, and you’ll feel like your best self!

2. Draped to Perfection: Dresses made with haute couture-inspired draping and ruching — like this chic satin design — sneakily help hide lumps and bumps. The stunning, classic design will help you strut into any wedding feeling your best.

3. Slip Into It: Satin slip dresses have proven longevity — not even the silhouette styles have changed much since I worked at the bridal store. With the right care, this shiny draped design will last you for decades.

4. Pleats Forever: For outdoor summer weddings, pleated dresses create a subtly elegant vibe that matches the relaxed warm weather energy. My suggestions: opt for this pick in a vibrant color, like purple or green.

5. Ruffles Galore: Ruffles have proven to have staying power through the seasons. My aunt even said she saw versions of this strapless tiered ruffle dress back when she first opened her store in 1998. Talk about never going out of style!

6. Endless Options: Convertible straps are undoubtedly the best. Why? Well, you end up getting five different dresses in one. This mesh Abercrombie dress is a steal considering how many different ways you can wear it.

7. Criss Cross: I always remember women falling in love with a halter neck wedding guest dress like this one. The neckline has a slimming ability that lengthens your entire body.

8. Totally Timeless: Strapless dresses are a time-tested silhouette, and this one, with its asymmetrical drop waist and uneven hem, looks like something straight out of a rom com.

9. Endless Colors: One of the best parts about wedding guest dress shopping? You can pretty much choose any color (except white, of course). This ruched one-shoulder stunner comes in 12 hues so you can find one that complements you perfectly.

10. Black Tie Ready: Shopping for a black tie wedding can be intimidating, but one of the best silhouettes is a long, straight gown with an open back. Simply stunning!

11. Flower Fields: When it came to spring and summer weddings, I always saw an uptick in floral dress requests. This strapless pick is memorable thanks to the removable scarf.

12. Princess Vibes: Even though someone else’s wedding isn’t your special day, you can still feel like a princess with this billowing off-the-shoulder dress. It’s a serious compliment getter.

13. Let the Snow Fall: Winter weddings can feel challenging to dress for, but you can never go wrong with velvet. The deep colors this velvet dress comes in, including burgundy and green, will have you looking regal.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>