Why Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin Won’t Appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Rights complications keep Marvel’s most intimidating crime boss off the big screen despite strong fan demand
Ever since Daredevil: Born Again reintroduced Wilson Fisk to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans have been eager to see Vincent D’Onofrio’s iconic Kingpin finally face off against Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. After all, Fisk was originally introduced as a Spider-Man villain in Marvel Comics long before becoming Daredevil’s most formidable enemy. However, that long-awaited crossover won’t be happening in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is scheduled to release on July 31, 2026.
Vincent D’Onofrio recently confirmed that Kingpin will not appear in the upcoming Spider-Man film, putting an end to ongoing speculation. The reason, he explained, has nothing to do with creative choices and everything to do with complicated character rights. According to the actor, using Kingpin in a theatrical Spider-Man movie is extremely difficult under the current ownership structure governing Marvel characters.
The issue stems from Kingpin’s unique history within Marvel. While the character has become inseparable from Daredevil in recent decades, his origins lie firmly in Spider-Man comics. Because Sony Pictures continues to hold significant rights related to Spider-Man and his associated characters, Kingpin exists in a legal grey area. As a result, Marvel Studios can currently use the character in television series but faces restrictions when it comes to theatrical films.
This limitation explains why Kingpin has appeared consistently across Disney+ projects such as Hawkeye, Echo, and Daredevil: Born Again, but has remained absent from MCU films. D’Onofrio has previously stated that, at present, his version of Kingpin is essentially confined to television storytelling, with no clear pathway to movie appearances unless rights agreements change.
The revelation is disappointing for fans who hoped to see a street-level Spider-Man story grounded in crime and corruption rather than multiverse chaos. A clash between Peter Parker and Wilson Fisk has long been considered one of Marvel’s most compelling dynamics, especially given the darker, more mature tone Fisk brings to the MCU.
For now, Kingpin’s future remains firmly tied to Disney+ series, where Marvel continues to expand its street-level universe. While rights negotiations could always evolve in the future, there is currently no indication that Kingpin will be making the leap from television to the big screen anytime soon.
Until then, audiences can expect Wilson Fisk to continue exerting his influence within Daredevil: Born Again, while Spider-Man charts a different path in his next cinematic chapter.
