Spider-Man: Brand New Day features several references and Easter eggs to the wider MCU and beyond (there are even a few nods to the Insomniac Spider-Man video games), but one eagle-eyed fan has now spotted what appears to be a callback to the first Avengers movie that seems to have flown under the radar.
During Spidey and Frank Castle's battle against the Savage Hulk in Department of Damage Control HQ, we get a quick glimpse of the various tech, artefacts and instruments the DODC has acquired over the years, including a skull that is definitely not of human origin.
The Reddit post posits that the rather sinister-looking skull could belong to classic Spider-Man villain the Lizard, aka Dr. Curt Connors, but a far more compelling theory points to it being the remains of one of the Chitauri invaders from Joss Whedon's The Avengers.
We've been led to believe that the DODC have been cleaning up after various super-powered skirmishes for many years, so it only makes sense that they'd have a few remnants from the Battle of New York in their possession.
Have a look at the screenshot at the link below, and let us know what you think in the comments section.
Who/What is This?
by u/Efficient-Eye2677 in marvelstudios
Following the record-breaking success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day begins a brand new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult and living alone after erasing himself and the memories of him from those he loves. In a New York that no longer knows his name, he has devoted himself wholeheartedly to protecting his city as Spider-Man full-time.
But as the demands on him grow, he is put under increasing pressure. This triggers an unexpected physical change that threatens his existence, while a strange wave of crime emerges - and gives rise to one of the most dangerous threats he has ever faced.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers. The film is produced by Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad and Rachel O'Connor. The cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now in theaters, and on track to gross $2 billion at the worldwide box office.