Glasgow is playing a central role in the upcoming Marvel film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with the Scottish city doubling as New York for several key scenes. According to Screen Scotland, the city’s grid layout, wide avenues, and Victorian architecture make it an ideal stand-in for American cities. The film, which continues the story of Peter Parker four years after the events of 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, follows a now-lonely Spider-Man as he continues to fight crime in secret after erasing his identity from the public memory of his friends and loved ones.

Behind the scenes: Motion capture and live action

Spider-Man’s action sequences were brought to life using motion capture technology, a technique that involves actors wearing special suits covered in dots or balls to physically act out scenes. These performances are then overlaid onto the digital character of Spider-Man. One motion capture actor described the experience as “indescribable,” noting that when he saw Spider-Man looking back at him on screen, he realized “this was the real deal”, not a promotional piece or fan project, but the actual movie.

Oscar De Mello, who runs The Shed in Bristol, explained that motion capture allows for “shots within a TV show or a film that would otherwise be impractical to try and get.” While the process is not cheap, it has become more efficient over time. He added that it often requires controlled studio conditions, though the latest film also used on-location shooting in Glasgow for a large-scale action scene.

On location: Glasgow’s role in Spider-Man 4

In Glasgow, the production filmed a major action sequence involving Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, who is seen chasing a military-style armored vehicle through the city. According to a set video released by Sony, the scene took place in broad daylight with multiple streets closed off, and fans gathered to watch the filming. Holland was also seen posing with a young boy wearing a Spider-Man costume, an event that the production called the first time fans had been allowed to witness filming on the first day of production.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, was present during the scene — the film, which is the fourth in the Tom Holland-led series, was shot in the same locations used for the previous Spider-Man films. Producer Amy Pascal praised Glasgow, calling “everything about Scotland great” and emphasizing the value of filming in real places — she added that the warmth and friendliness of the people in Glasgow made the experience “wonderful.”

Zendaya returns as MJ and other 2026 projects

Zendaya, who plays Spider-Man’s love interest MJ, is returning to the franchise with Holland for the new film, the movie marks her fourth collaboration with the actor. According to German outlet Netzwelt, Zendaya will also be starring in Dune Part 3 in 2026, continuing her role as Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic. This will mark the final chapter in the Dune series, which has become a major Hollywood franchise.

Zendaya’s career has grown significantly since her early Disney roles, with the actor now appearing in major franchises like Marvel and Dune, though In an interview, she expressed excitement about returning to both projects in the coming years. The Spider-Man: Brand New Day film is set for a July 30, 2024, release in Germany and will likely debut earlier in the United States and other international markets.

The production of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is part of a broader trend of major Hollywood films being shot in Glasgow. The city has previously doubled for New York and Philadelphia in other films, and its diverse architecture and urban layout make it a popular choice for filmmakers looking to depict American cities on a global scale.