Spider-Man's New AI Companion Sparks Debate Among Fans Ahead of 'Brand New Day'

Marvel's Next Spider-Man Film Faces Early Controversy

Following the record-breaking success of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, anticipation has been building for the next solo Peter Parker adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, five years later, the fourth MCU Spider-Man film—titled Brand New Day—is finally set to hit theaters. However, a startling reveal on the very first page of the screenplay has caused a wave of disappointment and frustration among fans.

What the Opening Pages Reveal

Director Destin Daniel Cretton recently shared the first three pages of Brand New Day with Entertainment Weekly, complete with handwritten annotations from himself, stars Zendaya and Tom Holland, and other department heads. The pages confirm that the story picks up nine months after the events of No Way Home. As a reminder, Peter Parker erased himself from the memories of everyone on Earth—including his girlfriend MJ and best friend Ned—and now lives in complete isolation.

Peter Parker's Solitary New Life

"For the first time, Peter is entirely alone," Cretton emphasizes in the margins. The opening scene shows Peter tinkering with homemade technology, and an annotation notes that he no longer has access to the money or gadgets from his late mentor Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. "All of his tech needs to have been made by Peter," the annotation reads.

Enter E.V.: An AI Assistant

As Peter speaks his first line of dialogue in the scene, it becomes clear that his homemade tech includes an AI assistant named E.V. "Could you check the calibration on my targeting matrix?" Peter asks, and E.V. gets to work. Another note from Cretton explains that with his new isolated lifestyle, E.V. is "sadly, the closest thing Peter has to a friend." This revelation has sparked intense backlash on social media.

Fan Reaction: From Disappointment to Outrage

The mere inclusion of artificial intelligence—especially as a companion—was enough to immediately sour some fans on Brand New Day. Comments quickly flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.

• "And just like that, I’m not excited for this movie anymore," one user wrote. "I don’t like Peter befriending ChatGPT and asking stuff like ‘should I ask her out’ or whatever, no matter how ‘normalized’ it is nowadays."
• "Just did the biggest eye roll of my life," another user responded.
• Many fans lamented the lost art of internal monologue, assuming that Peter will address E.V. with his thoughts throughout the film instead of talking directly to the audience. "Can’t the neurotic character that talks to himself all the time just talk to himself?" one user asked. "We just did a whole Batman movie where he was narrating like Taxi Driver."

An AI-Dependent Spider-Man?

Others argued that a Spider-Man reliant on an AI companion undermines the essence of the character. "Peter Parker is known from the comics for his extensive internal dialogue and self-talk," one poster added. "He has always had friends, both as Peter and as Spidey. The idea of him being so lonely and pathetic that an AI bot is ‘the closest thing he has to a friend’ is just ridiculous and feels like a violation of his character."

Why This Matters: Spider-Man's True Essence

Spider-Man has always been defined by his humanity—his struggles, his humor, and his deep connections with others. From the comics to previous films, Peter Parker’s internal dialogue was a window into his character, and his relationships with Aunt May, MJ, Ned, and even his rogues' gallery were vital. Replacing that with an AI companion could fundamentally change the tone of his story.

Possible Story Justifications

Some defenders point out that Peter’s isolation is a direct consequence of his sacrifice in No Way Home. He has no one to turn to, and creating an AI assistant might be his way of coping. Others suggest that E.V. could be a temporary crutch, or that the film will use it to explore deeper themes of loneliness and the search for connection. Yet, for many fans, the mere idea feels like a betrayal of the character’s core.

Looking Ahead: Will the Film Win Back Skeptics?

Director Destin Daniel Cretton and the creative team have yet to respond to the backlash in detail. With only a few pages revealed, the full context of E.V.'s role remains unknown. It’s possible that the AI assistant serves as a plot device or even a red herring. However, the initial impression has already shaped early perceptions, and the film’s marketing team may need to work overtime to rebuild enthusiasm.

Conclusion

Spider-Man: Brand New Day promises to explore Peter Parker in a way we've never seen before—utterly alone and rebuilding his life from scratch. But the introduction of AI companion E.V. has divided fans, with many viewing it as a misguided departure from the character's roots. Whether the final film will vindicate this creative decision or confirm fans' fears remains to be seen. For now, the internet has made its feelings clear: Spider-Man might be making new friends, but many of his old ones are far from impressed.

Looking for more on the upcoming MCU film? Check out our analysis of Spider-Man's comic book origins and the history of AI in superhero movies.