Fan Theory Explores Possible Reason for Ned's Memory Return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

A new fan theory suggests magic played a role in Ned’s partial memory return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The Handshake and Potential Magic

During the climax of No Way Home, Peter Parker used Doctor Strange’s spell to erase everyone’s memories of him. This left him isolated, with his girlfriend and best friend having forgotten him. However, in Brand New Day, both MJ and Ned appear to be remembering Peter.

A TikTok user, @yayaahlyzee, pointed out that Ned’s handshake with Peter at a bodega seemed to trigger a subconscious recall, prompting him to exclaim, "Peter!" The theory posits that the handshake may have been imbued with magic, potentially breaking the spell.

Actor’s Comments and Open Interpretation

Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned, acknowledged the ambiguous nature of the ending, suggesting it could be muscle memory or simply repeating Peter’s name. He noted that the ending is open to interpretation and a "cool little nod" to the previous films.

Future Spidey Adventures

Following the success of Brand New Day, plans for future Spider-Man films are underway, with Kevin Feige hinting at more Spidey adventures and the eventual introduction of Miles Morales into the MCU. Cade Onder, a freelancer for IGN, reported that Sony and Marvel are likely to move quickly on future projects, though no official slate has been announced.