Just a day following the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in India, Marvel buffs have already begun decoding various aspects of the film. "Spoilers without context" memes with potatoes, scrunchies, and air conditioning vents are being virally shared on social media, while a section of netizens are also hailing the film for its depiction of loneliness and mental health.
Meanwhile, some fans have already moved on to Avengers: Doomsday after watching the post-credits scene of Brand New Day. Those who've already watched the film know that it lacks a mid-credits scene and has a very short and ambiguous epilogue following the credits, leaving many to guess what it means. If you've watched the scene and are perplexed as well, here are four popular theories on what the scene could mean.
For those who haven't watched the film, you've already read too much. Come back after you've watched the Destin Daniel Cretton directorial. For those who watched the film and missed the post-credits scene, here's a recap. We see Ned Leeds' Spidey Tracker app placing the friendly neighbourhood superhero in Queens. Then there's a second signal on the tracker, which zooms out from New York and even Earth and travels to space.
Then the screen glitches to show another Spider-Man signal appearing somewhere in the galaxy. When paid close attention to, the constellations do not change location, hinting that the second signal is detected from another planet and not another point on Earth. Secondly, Peter Parker's signal from Earth also does not disappear. Instead, the tracker detects a completely new Spider-Man signal somewhere else.
So what could this mean? One, the signal does not belong to Tom Holland's version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Two, it detects Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker. Three, Marvel has preempted the rumoured Avengers: Doomsday scene involving Tobey's web hero trying to save his universe. And lastly, it could also mean that Tobey is stranded in the cosmos after his universe is destroyed.
Interestingly, the film ended with the 'Spider-Man will return' line, without the Avengers: Doomsday Clock appearing. This could also mean that he returns in Avengers: Secret Wars next year. Additionally, given that it only says Spider-Man, it could very well also mean Tobey Maguire, with Marvel making it possible with the multiverse having already established it in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
While Marvel is yet to confirm what the post-credit scenes mean, Avengers: Doomsday's release on December 18 could give some clarity. For now, Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, and Tramell Tillman, is playing in theatres.