If you saw a photo of Jacob Batalon today, you might not even recognize him. Seriously. The guy who played Ned Leeds—the "guy in the chair" we all loved in the MCU—is basically a different person now. We’re talking a 112-pound weight loss that completely changed his silhouette. It’s one of those transformations that makes you do a double-take.
But the spider man ned actor isn't just about a fitness journey. He’s navigating a weird, high-stakes moment in his career where his Marvel future is a giant question mark, and he’s trying to prove he’s more than just a sidekick.
The Transformation: How Jacob Batalon Dropped 100+ Pounds
Honestly, the physical change was the first thing fans noticed when the No Way Home promo started. It wasn't just some Hollywood "get shredded for a role" thing. It was actually a health wake-up call.
Jacob started his journey back in late 2019. He’s been pretty open about it, telling Men’s Health and People that he felt sluggish and tired all the time. He’d get sleepy on set just from eating heavy, greasy food. So, he made a choice. He hit the gym six days a week—90-minute sessions—and switched to a plant-based diet.
It worked. He lost over 100 pounds.
This created a funny (and slightly stressful) situation for Marvel. If you look closely at Spider-Man: No Way Home, Ned looks significantly slimmer than he did in Far From Home. Fans started theorizing. People thought the weight loss was a hint that he was becoming the Hobgoblin. In the comics, Ned Leeds is a much more serious, athletic journalist who gets brainwashed into being a villain. Seeing a "fit" Ned made everyone think the glider was coming.
Is He Actually Returning for Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
This is what everyone is Googling right now. Where is he?
The next movie, officially titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is set for a July 31, 2026 release. It’s supposed to be a "fresh start" for Peter Parker. Remember, at the end of the last movie, a Doctor Strange spell made everyone forget Peter existed. That includes Ned.
Jacob Batalon has been pretty cagey about his return. In early 2024, he told ComicBook.com that he was "in the dark." But fast forward to 2025 and early 2026, and things have changed. Recent reports and cast lists for Brand New Day do include Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds.
"It's sad that he has no friends anymore," Batalon said in an interview, reflecting on Peter's isolation.
The big rumor is that Ned won't be the best friend anymore—at least not at first. If he shows up, he might just be a guy Peter sees across a college campus. Or, if the leaks are right, he might finally tap into those "magic" powers he showed off in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Beyond Marvel: Life as a Leading Man
While we all wait for Spidey updates, Batalon has been busy. He’s clearly trying to step out of the "sidekick" shadow.
- Reginald the Vampire: He led this Syfy series for two seasons as the titular character. It was a big deal because it flipped the script on what a "vampire lead" looks like.
- The Wrecking Crew: This is his big 2026 project. It’s a buddy cop action-comedy starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Batalon is part of a heavy-hitter cast that includes Morena Baccarin and Temuera Morrison. It’s scheduled to hit Prime Video on January 28, 2026.
- Horror and Thrillers: He starred in the horror flick Tarot (2024) and has a role in the upcoming 2025 film Novocaine alongside Jack Quaid.
He’s diversifying. He’s not just the spider man ned actor anymore; he’s a guy who can carry a show or hold his own next to Aquaman and Drax.
The Hobgoblin Theory: Will It Ever Happen?
We have to talk about the orange-and-blue elephant in the room. In the comics, Ned Leeds' story is tragic. He’s not Peter’s high school bestie; he’s a colleague at the Daily Bugle who gets caught up in a plot by the real Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley).
Jacob has toyed with this. He even posted a photo of himself holding a Hobgoblin action figure, which sent the internet into a frenzy.
The most realistic theory for the MCU? If Ned becomes a villain, it might not be the "our" Ned. With the Multiverse still being a thing, we could see a version of Ned from another earth who is the Hobgoblin. This would allow Peter to fight his best friend without actually ruining the friendship they spent three movies building.
What to Watch Next for Jacob Batalon Fans
If you want to see what he’s doing outside of the Peter Parker-verse, you've got options. He’s leaning into comedy and genre-bending roles.
- Watch "The Wrecking Crew" on Prime Video. It’s his most recent big-budget appearance and shows a different side of his acting—more action-oriented.
- Binge "Reginald the Vampire". It’s quirky, weird, and shows he can lead a series.
- Keep an eye on "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" trailers. Production is ramping up, and we’re likely to see a glimpse of "New Ned" soon.
Jacob Batalon’s journey from a kid who went to acting school in New York to a global Marvel star—and then a health icon—is pretty wild. He’s managed to stay grounded, often joking about being the "CEO of Sex" (a long-running internet meme he fully embraced). Whether he’s Peter’s best friend or a magical rival in the next film, he’s definitely not the same guy who first found out Peter Parker was Spider-Man in a bedroom in Queens.
Your Next Step
If you’re tracking Jacob Batalon’s career, the best move is to follow his official Instagram where he’s been posting training updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his 2026 projects. You can also set a Google Alert for Spider-Man: Brand New Day production leaks, as filming in locations like Glasgow has already started to yield character sightings.