Spiderman 4 Announcement

Recently, it was announced that Destin Daniel Cretton, the filmmaker behind Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will be directing Spider-Man 4. This marks a significant shift for the Tom Holland-led series, as Jon Watts directed the previous three installments. While Spider-Man 4 is already in development, not much is known about Peter Parker’s next adventure.

Cretton taking the reins for the next Spider-Man film leaves me curious about the status of Shang-Chi 2, but it also fills me with excitement about Peter Parker’s future, especially after where his story left off in Spider-Man: No Way Home. If Cretton can bring the same level of incredible fight choreography from Shang-Chi into Spider-Man 4, this could easily become my favorite installment in the series. I’m eager to learn which villain Spider-Man will face off against next.

Personally, Shang-Chi features my favorite fight scenes in the entire MCU. It fully delivered on the martial arts promise of its characters, with sequences like the bus fight reminiscent of Jackie Chan films such as Police Story. The wuxia-inspired action set Shang-Chi apart from typical MCU fare, and Cretton, along with his talented stunt team, worked wonders in crafting those moments. It would be amazing to see that level of stunt work carried over to the upcoming fourth Spider-Man film.

One of the reasons I’m so thrilled about Cretton directing Spider-Man 4 is that, in my opinion, there haven't been many truly standout action scenes in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies. Given Cretton's success with Shang-Chi, I’m confident he can elevate Spider-Man’s action sequences, especially if the film embraces a more street-level approach. The potential is limitless, and Cretton has proven he’s more than capable of rising to the challenge.

Tom Holland’s athleticism has always set him apart as Spider-Man, allowing him to perform many of his own stunts—a rarity among actors in superhero films. His ability to move like Spider-Man, flipping and dodging, brings the character to life in ways that CGI or a stunt double often can’t. Holland has shown incredible dedication to the role, and Spider-Man 4 could be the perfect opportunity to showcase what he’s physically capable of under Cretton’s direction.

So far, the MCU’s Spider-Man has been featured in numerous large-scale, CGI-heavy battles, which have their place, but it would be refreshing to see the franchise return to more grounded, physical fight scenes. A style similar to Spider-Man’s final confrontation with Green Goblin in Raimi’s original Spider-Man, but enhanced with Shang-Chi’s hand-to-hand combat polish, could be the perfect direction for this new installment.

In my opinion, the MCU sometimes struggles with fight scenes across its films. While many are fun, others can feel disjointed, often relying too heavily on VFX instead of practical stunt work. That’s why films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Shang-Chi stand out—they embrace more practical, visceral fight choreography. While both films certainly utilize VFX, the impact of real stunts cannot be overstated. Spider-Man 4 has the chance to introduce a grittier style of action to the franchise, which has often leaned more towards spectacle than intimacy in its combat scenes. His battles with Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home highlighted the importance of hand-to-hand combat, adding tension and depth to the fights. Adding Shang-Chi’s flair to the choreography could make Spider-Man 4 a standout film for its action.

I’m incredibly excited for Destin Daniel Cretton to direct Spider-Man 4. After Jon Watts helmed the first three films, a fresh perspective feels necessary. Bringing in the director of Shang-Chi opens the door for Spider-Man 4 to have some of the best action scenes in the MCU. While the MCU occasionally struggles with action choreography, I’m confident Cretton can help Spider-Man 4 shine, especially in areas where some of the previous Tom Holland Spider-Man films have fallen short.