Is Spider-Man About to Replace Peter With Paul? Spider Man Brand New Day Review

Could Spider-Man really be gearing up to “rob Peter to pay Paul”? Plenty of fans hope not. But with rumors swirling around Spider-Man: Brand New Day, many are asking the same questions: who exactly is Paul, why is he so controversial, and what happens if he shows up in the next movie?

Back in early January, noted Marvel scooper Daniel Richtman reported that actor Iman Esfandi — known for playing Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka — had landed a role in the upcoming Spider-Man film. Richtman added another intriguing detail: the part might be MJ’s boyfriend.

And honestly, that wouldn’t be shocking. After all, by the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the entire world — including MJ — forgot who Peter Parker was. From her perspective, he’s just another stranger.

But if Esfandi really is playing Paul, then Marvel may be introducing one of the most divisive Spider-Man characters of the last decade.

Why Comic Fans Can’t Stand Paul

Paul Rabin first appeared during writer Zeb Wells and artist John Romita Jr.’s run on The Amazing Spider-Man in 2022. The story immediately shocked readers.

Just when it looked like Peter and Mary Jane might reconnect after years apart, the new run slammed that door shut. MJ not only wanted nothing to do with Peter — she had a new partner named Paul… and two children calling her “mom.”

Eventually, readers learned Paul came from another universe. His father’s research into mystical glyphs unleashed a destructive god-like force that wiped out their world. Paul killed his own father to stop him, but the damage was done.

Later, Peter and MJ were pulled into that ruined universe. MJ managed to send Peter back home, but she remained stranded with Paul for four years (while only hours passed for Peter). During that time, they survived together, adopted two children, and fell in love. By the time Peter returned, MJ had built a new life.

You can probably guess how well that went over with readers.

The Shadow of One More Day

Part of the backlash toward Paul actually predates his debut by years.

In 1987, Peter and Mary Jane married — and stayed that way for two decades. But Marvel leadership later decided a married Spider-Man felt too old. Editor-in-chief Joe Quesada argued that single Peter Parker stories offered more drama.

That thinking led to 2007’s infamous Spider-Man: One More Day by Quesada and J. Michael Straczynski. In it, the demon Mephisto erases Peter and MJ’s marriage from reality to save Aunt May’s life.

The storyline remains one of the most criticized Spider-Man arcs ever. Critics argued it didn’t just undo a relationship — it undermined Peter’s growth as a character. Many readers had grown up with a married Spider-Man, and they never fully accepted the reset.

So when Paul appeared as MJ’s new partner, fans didn’t just dislike him. To them, he symbolized Marvel doubling down on keeping Peter and MJ apart.

Paul’s Complicated Story Didn’t Help

Things only got messier in the comics.

The two children Paul and MJ raised turned out to be magical constructs created by a villain. Later, MJ bonded with the Venom symbiote. Paul struggled with her superhero life. Their relationship ultimately fell apart, though they remained connected through shared responsibilities.

Despite all this drama, fan resentment toward Paul hasn’t really softened. Many readers still see him as a narrative obstacle — someone designed purely to block Peter and MJ from reuniting.

What This Means for Brand New Day

If Paul does appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel probably won’t dive into his dense comic backstory. They won’t need to.

All the movie has to do is establish one simple fact: MJ is dating someone who isn’t Peter.

For many fans, that alone will spark an emotional reaction.

The MCU has spent three films building Peter and MJ’s relationship as heartfelt and genuine. Seeing her with someone else — especially after the devastating ending of No Way Home — would instantly create tension.

And that may be exactly why Marvel would introduce Paul at all.

He wouldn’t just be a character. He’d be a narrative obstacle, a reminder of what Peter lost — and a potential catalyst for what comes next.