Who Is Jean DeWolff, MCU’s New Character Shown in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

The cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is packed with new additions, and one of the story’s biggest emotional surprises is the introduction of a new authority figure for Peter Parker. Played by award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas, police officer Jean DeWolff takes on a crucial role in the Wall-Crawler’s new dark and lonely chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But who is this character, and why is she important in the original comics? Omelete breaks down everything you need to know about the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s new ally.

In the film, Colón-Zayas’s character is portrayed as a mother balancing the care of her two children with her work as a police officer. She is in direct contact with Spider-Man and constantly exchanges information with him. In the absence of Aunt May and Tony Stark, she is the closest thing the protagonist has to a guiding voice of wisdom.

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In the comics, Jean DeWolff met Spider-Man while investigating a series of bombings orchestrated by her brother, and the two became allies. She was one of the first police officers to openly declare her support for the hero, and in some issues she even falls for him. The character became a police officer by following in her father’s footsteps, even against his wishes. Jean also had moments of incredible bravery – once crashing a mafia party during a police raid and, later, using her car to run over Doctor Octopus.

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In addition to Tom Holland returning as the lead, Jacob Batalon will be back as Ned, and Zendaya returns for the new Spider-Man movie as MJ. Among the new additions, Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) joins as Jean Grey.

Another confirmed cast member is Jon Bernthal as the Punisher, marking the hero’s debut in Marvel films. Also joining him, Mark Ruffalo is in the movie as Hulk and will transform, for the first time in the MCU, into Gray Hulk, a bigger and more dangerous version of the giant.

The official synopsis for Brand New Day has been released:  "It's a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see. The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them."

Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is directing the project. Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna, who wrote Spider-Man: No Way Home, are also responsible for the upcoming film. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now playing in theaters.