New ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Behind-the-Scenes Footage Highlights Tom Holland’s Stunts
Superhero films have increasingly relied on digital effects in recent years, leading audiences to forget the thrill of authentic stunt work. This summer’s ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ has brought back that excitement, showcasing action sequences that resonate differently due to their realness.
Recently released behind-the-scenes footage has fans buzzing about the extensive practical stunt work that contributed to the latest web-slinging adventure. The clip, shared by stunt performer danjgamble on Instagram, provides an inside look at the film’s commitment to hands-on action filmmaking.
This dedication to authentic action was intentional. Director Destin Daniel Cretton brought in the legendary Jackie Chan Stunt Team to design and execute many of the street-level action sequences in ‘Brand New Day’, resulting in fight scenes that are faster, more fluid, and filled with practical martial arts choreography that stands out from typical superhero fare.
Jackie Chan himself, while not choreographing every fight scene, acted as the action director for his renowned stunt team, collaborating closely with the filmmakers. Chan praised Holland’s commitment to the role, stating, “I heard this young man pays homage to my films, performing many of his own stunts in numerous action sequences. He is incredibly dedicated,” as reported by Manila Bulletin.
The Jackie Chan Stunt Team’s collaboration with Cretton isn’t new; they previously worked together on ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, which was celebrated for its incorporation of Hong Kong-style martial arts into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Their return for ‘Brand New Day’ has brought that signature style back to the franchise.
Peng Zhang, who also worked on ‘Shang-Chi’, took on the role of the film’s main stunt coordinator and was elevated to second-unit director for this project. He embraced intricate Hong Kong-style choreography, blending acrobatics, aerial flips, and hand-to-hand combat that reflects Peter Parker’s street-level fighting style.
Some of the film’s most challenging physical sequences required months of rigorous training. A prison brawl scene, filmed at the decommissioned HM Prison Dorchester in England, necessitated extensive preparation from Holland and the stunt team to convincingly execute the complex choreography.
The production also prioritized practical effects beyond combat, with earlier behind-the-scenes footage showing Spider-Man performing real web-swinging stunts using wires and harnesses attached to cranes, along with genuine pyrotechnics and explosions captured live on camera instead of relying on digital effects.
For a franchise that has faced criticism for its reliance on CGI in previous films, this behind-the-scenes look at ‘Brand New Day’s’ stunt work provides a satisfying response to any skepticism regarding the authenticity of its action.
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