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Casting for Sony and Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day continues to build momentum, with Marvin Jones III officially tapped to portray the ruthless crime boss Tombstone, sources tell Deadline. The news arrives just as production on the film has temporarily paused after star Tom Holland suffered a concussion on set. Filming is expected to resume September 29.
Jones is no stranger to the role, having previously lent his voice to Tombstone in the Academy Award-winning animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its forthcoming sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. His transition from animation to live action makes him one of the few actors to embody the same Marvel villain across both mediums, a move that will undoubtedly excite fans of the character.
Also known as Lonnie Lincoln, Tombstone is one of Spider-Man’s most formidable foes. A New York crime lord with near-indestructible skin, sharpened teeth, and a chilling presence, the villain was first introduced in Web of Spider-Man #36 in 1988 by writer Gerry Conway and artist Alex Saviuk. In the comics, Tombstone frequently clashes with Spidey while exerting his influence over the city’s criminal underworld, making him a fitting addition to Brand New Day’s lineup.
Despite the brief production halt, Sony and Marvel remain confident that the film will stay on track for its planned theatrical release of July 31, 2026. The movie, directed by Shang-Chi filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, marks the first live-action Spider-Man feature since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which became a global phenomenon with more than $1.9 billion at the box office.
Brand New Day will see Tom Holland return as Peter Parker alongside Zendaya as MJ. Mark Ruffalo is also expected to reprise his role as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. New additions to the ensemble include Sadie Sink and Liza Colón-Zayas, though details about their roles remain under wraps.
Jones, best known for playing the villainous Tobias Whale on The CW’s Black Lightning, continues to carve out a strong presence in both television and film. Recent credits include Shadow Force opposite Kerry Washington, The Equalizer, All American: Homecoming, and Season 2 of Paramount’s Halo. He also stars in upcoming projects Criminal for Amazon and Jonás Cuarón’s indie feature Gringo Champion.
With Jones bringing his commanding screen presence to Tombstone, Spider-Man: Brand New Day promises to expand the roster of memorable live-action Marvel villains while bridging the gap between Sony’s animated and live-action Spider-Man worlds.
