Spider-Man: Brand New Day transforms Glasgow into New York as filming shuts down city streets

New York has come to Glasgow. At least, that’s how it appears as filming for Spider-Man 4 begins in the Scottish city, which has been completely transformed to double as the Big Apple.

Production officially starts on July 31 and will continue through to August 15, with Glasgow city centre fully immersed in its role as a Marvel Universe stand-in. Street by street, the transformation is unmistakable. Classic yellow cabs line the roads, NYPD police cars idle at junctions, and buildings fly the American flag. Even a city tour bus has been wrapped to resemble those typically seen rolling through Manhattan.

One local landmark has been reimagined as the headquarters of “American Life Assured,” a fictional insurance company invented for the film. Passers-by have also spotted construction zones, street signs, and prop vehicles all branded to reflect the New York setting. Some props are labelled with the code name “Blue Oasis,” used before the film’s official title—Spider-Man: Brand New Day—was confirmed.

Tom Holland returns to don the Spidey suit once again in this latest chapter of the Marvel franchise. The 28-year-old actor, already a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reunites with co-star and fiancée Zendaya, who reprises her role as MJ. Directing this time is Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Marvel Studios revealed back in April that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release on 31 July 2026. The new film follows the massive success of 2021’s No Way Home, where Holland, joined by past Spider-Men Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, helped smash box office records in a multiverse collision that thrilled fans and critics alike.

But the excitement has brought some disruption. Glasgow City Council confirmed multiple road closures will be in place throughout filming. While many residents have welcomed the cinematic buzz, others have had to reroute daily routines as key parts of the city are cordoned off.

Still, for many onlookers, the novelty of their hometown doubling as New York is well worth the inconvenience. Fans have gathered around the transformed sets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars or the action in progress.

Among the more surreal sights: assistance dogs in costume, inflatable props, and tour buses decked out like they’d come straight from Times Square. With American-style signage, red-white-and-blue banners, and bustling faux-construction sites, the illusion is as immersive as it is impressive.

The production team behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day has pulled out all the stops to recreate New York’s gritty charm, with precision detailing and sprawling sets across Glasgow’s familiar streets.

It’s not the first time the city has stood in for Gotham-esque cityscapes, but this is undoubtedly one of its most ambitious transformations to date. As filming ramps up, the city’s temporary identity as a Marvel battleground continues to draw attention—and, for now, Glasgow truly is the city that never sleeps.