Tom Holland Explains Why ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Wasn’t Filmed in New York

The connection between Spider-Man and New York City is iconic, with the web-slinger often seen navigating the city’s towering skyscrapers. However, fans may be surprised to learn that the latest installment, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, barely filmed in the city it represents.

This decision wasn’t driven by budget issues or creative changes, but rather the practical challenges of filming in New York. Tom Holland has shed light on why ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ chose to recreate the city elsewhere.

Holland explained that filming in New York comes with strict regulations; streets cannot be closed for filming. In contrast, studios in London can pay to shut down streets for the day, allowing for uninterrupted shooting. He noted that in New York, a scene can be disrupted by pedestrians asking for photos.

This reasoning aligns with the production’s approach. Instead of shooting on location in Manhattan, the team constructed entire city blocks at Pinewood Studios in the UK, using immersive set designs, real city background plates, and strategic location scouting to create a convincing backdrop.

Glasgow served as a significant stand-in for New York, featuring prominently in an early action sequence that included an armored car chase through a reimagined Manhattan. The crew filmed in various locations, including Hutcheson Street, St Vincent Street, and Bothwell Street.

This transformation required substantial cooperation from local authorities, with over fifty roads in Glasgow closed for at least two weeks. The production even brought in yellow New York-style taxis and American police cars to enhance the illusion.

Additionally, other unexpected locations were utilized during filming. Basingstoke’s former Automobile Association headquarters was transformed into a prison for a scene with a runaway armored car, while Dorchester’s old prison hosted a climactic fight involving Spider-Man and the Hand organization.

This production strategy marked a departure from Holland’s previous film, ‘No Way Home’, which was primarily shot on closed soundstages due to pandemic restrictions. ‘Brand New Day’ began filming in a bustling city street, allowing fans to witness the production live, a first for the franchise.

For a character so closely linked to New York, filming in other locations was more about practical production needs than creative choices. Regardless of where the filming took place, the final product seems to have successfully convinced audiences, many of whom likely didn’t notice the change.

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