Actress from 'Spider-Man' Dies; Latest Spider-Verse News Revealed

Mary Rivera, the Filipino-American actress remembered for her role as Ned Leeds' grandmother in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home,' has passed away at the age of 82. She died in Honolulu, Hawaii, following a stroke, as reported by CNN on August 4, 2026. Her death occurred on the same day as the highly anticipated cinematic release of the newest film in the Spider-Man franchise.

Rivera's memorable appearance in the 2021 film included a scene with stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Andrew Garfield. In the sequence, her character humorously instructed Garfield's Spider-Man to use his powers to clean cobwebs from the ceiling. She is survived by her husband, Alejandro Rivera, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

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My husband calls him 'Hong Hye-gyeol.'

The actress's passing coincides with the massive commercial success of the franchise's fourth installment, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day.' According to Independent, the film shattered records by grossing $360 million during its opening weekend in the United States, marking the biggest debut ever recorded by Box Office Mojo in the territory. Critics have praised the film for returning the character to a more mature urban setting, exploring Peter Parker's isolation and his alliance with Jon Bernthal's Punisher.

Further adding to the buzz, post-credit scenes in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' reportedly establish a direct connection to the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film 'Avengers: Doomsday,' scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. Following the film's box office triumph, Sony Pictures is reportedly considering a new sequel, with studio CEO Tom Rothman confirming the company's interest in continuing with Tom Holland as the lead. However, parallel projects like 'Sinister Six' and 'El Muerto' are not currently in active development, as the studio prioritizes the main Spider-Man saga.

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Dr. Hong Hye-gyeol expressed displeasure after a previous broadcast.