Inside Glasgow’s starring role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film arrives in UK cinemas with Glasgow doubling for New York during an explosive chase involving armoured vehicles, police cars, fireballs and high-flying stunt performers. The Hollywood blockbuster swings into UK cinemas today, ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest film opening weekend of the year.
For Scottish audiences, part of the attraction will be the chance to spot familiar streets beneath the New York signs, yellow taxis and American flags. Large sections of Glasgow city centre were transformed into Manhattan when filming took place during the summer of 2025.
Glasgow was selected to represent parts of New York, continuing the city’s increasingly familiar role as a stand-in for American locations.
Before filming began, Holland said the production wanted to return to “old-school filmmaking” and use genuine city streets. He said Brand New Day would place a “massive set piece” on the streets of Glasgow.
The biggest sequence filmed in Glasgow centred on Bothwell Street, which became the scene of a spectacular pursuit through downtown Manhattan.
An armoured military vehicle raced along the street while a fleet of NYPD-style police cars followed with lights flashing. Explosions were triggered around the vehicles, including a fireball suspended above the road using a crane-mounted effects rig.
The sequence later appeared prominently in trailers for the film. Footage showed Spider-Man soaring above the armoured vehicle as explosions erupted around Bothwell Street, including a shot in which he passes the Aurora office building.
Filming then moved east into the Merchant City. On Hutcheson Street, hundreds of spectators watched Holland’s stunt double race along the road while gripping the rear of an armoured vehicle travelling at speed.
The performer waved to the crowds between takes as production crews recorded another section of the same extended chase scene.
St Vincent Street was also dressed to resemble Lower Manhattan. Yellow taxis, American street furniture and an armoured vehicle were placed against Glasgow’s distinctive architecture.
The filming became a major attraction in its own right. Hundreds of people gathered behind barriers to watch the explosions and vehicle chases, while office workers were able to see the production from windows overlooking Bothwell Street.
Excitement increased when Holland appeared in the Spider-Man costume. The actor stopped between takes to greet fans, including children who had waited beside the set to see him.
Holland later said the first day felt different because fans had been allowed to experience the beginning of filming with the cast and crew. Sony also released behind-the-scenes footage showing him walking through the Glasgow set and meeting spectators.
The city has previously represented New York in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Flash, while its streets became Gotham City for The Batman. It has also doubled for Philadelphia in World War Z.
Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film arrives in UK cinemas with Glasgow doubling for New York during an explosive chase involving armoured vehicles, police cars, fireballs and high-flying stunt performers. The Hollywood blockbuster swings into UK cinemas today, ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest film opening weekend of the year.
For Scottish audiences, part of the attraction will be the chance to spot familiar streets beneath the New York signs, yellow taxis and American flags. Large sections of Glasgow city centre were transformed into Manhattan when filming took place during the summer of 2025.
Glasgow was selected to represent parts of New York, continuing the city’s increasingly familiar role as a stand-in for American locations.
Before filming began, Holland said the production wanted to return to “old-school filmmaking” and use genuine city streets. He said Brand New Day would place a “massive set piece” on the streets of Glasgow.
The biggest sequence filmed in Glasgow centred on Bothwell Street, which became the scene of a spectacular pursuit through downtown Manhattan.
An armoured military vehicle raced along the street while a fleet of NYPD-style police cars followed with lights flashing. Explosions were triggered around the vehicles, including a fireball suspended above the road using a crane-mounted effects rig.
The sequence later appeared prominently in trailers for the film. Footage showed Spider-Man soaring above the armoured vehicle as explosions erupted around Bothwell Street, including a shot in which he passes the Aurora office building.
Filming then moved east into the Merchant City. On Hutcheson Street, hundreds of spectators watched Holland’s stunt double race along the road while gripping the rear of an armoured vehicle travelling at speed.
The performer waved to the crowds between takes as production crews recorded another section of the same extended chase scene.
St Vincent Street was also dressed to resemble Lower Manhattan. Yellow taxis, American street furniture and an armoured vehicle were placed against Glasgow’s distinctive architecture.
The filming became a major attraction in its own right. Hundreds of people gathered behind barriers to watch the explosions and vehicle chases, while office workers were able to see the production from windows overlooking Bothwell Street.
Excitement increased when Holland appeared in the Spider-Man costume. The actor stopped between takes to greet fans, including children who had waited beside the set to see him.
Holland later said the first day felt different because fans had been allowed to experience the beginning of filming with the cast and crew. Sony also released behind-the-scenes footage showing him walking through the Glasgow set and meeting spectators.
The city has previously represented New York in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Flash, while its streets became Gotham City for The Batman. It has also doubled for Philadelphia in World War Z.