The emotional ending of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has left Marvel fans with one major question: does Ned Leeds finally remember Peter Parker?
According to Jacob Batalon, the answer may not be as straightforward as it seems.
Warning: Major spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day below.
During the film’s closing moments, Peter Parker reunites with Ned after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Doctor Strange’s spell erased Peter from everyone’s memory. While Ned initially doesn’t recognize his former best friend, the pair instinctively perform their signature handshake, prompting speculation that some memories may have survived.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Batalon explained that the scene was intentionally left open to interpretation.
“I think that’s the beauty of it. I don’t know. I genuinely don’t know. I think that’s what makes it really special, because it could mean anything.”
Batalon also revealed that filming the moment with Tom Holland felt surprisingly natural.
Jacob Batalon, Ned Leeds Spider-Man: Brand New Day [marvel studios]
In a separate interview with People, the actor said the elaborate handshake returned almost instantly despite the years between productions.
“It actually came back literally like muscle memory.”
The handshake first appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming and became a fan-favorite running gag throughout the trilogy. Its return in Brand New Day has quickly become one of the film’s most talked-about scenes, with many fans wondering if the magical memory spell is beginning to weaken or if the connection between Peter and Ned runs deeper than magic can erase.
Marvel Studios has yet to confirm what the scene means for the future of the franchise, but Batalon’s comments suggest audiences may have to wait for the next Spider-Man film before getting a definitive answer.
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