Chris McKenna on co-writing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the highest-grossing film in domestic history.
Summary
Chris McKenna discusses the massive success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has become the highest-grossing domestic film of all time. He details the writing process, including abandoned storylines and the complex negotiations to secure Jean Grey as the villain within the Sony-Marvel partnership. McKenna also reflects on the film’s focus on male friendship and its intimate, street-level tone compared to previous multiversal entries. Finally, he shares updates on his work on the upcoming Avengers films and promotes the second season of the animated series Haunted Hotel.
Topics discussed
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Welcome back Chris McKenna
Navigating the new Spider-Man arc
The Peter, MJ, and Ned dynamic
Male friendship and the handshake
The ending twist and romantic reality
Alternative story paths and accents
Zendaya's role and early drafts
The bodega cat and roommate villains
Solitary life and Die Hard vibes
Development conflicts and villain choices
Telepathy and the mutant sandbox
The Shadow King and disembodied voice
Securing Dean Parisi as the villain
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Writing a non-Spider-Man villain
Punisher, Yelena, and comic covers
Cut scenes and upcoming MCU stakes
Sunny Birch and Avengers Doomsday
Haunted Hotel Season 2 details
Horror-comedy balance and cast
TV release schedules and spooky season
Final recommendations and sign-off
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