There is already a stacked Spider-Man: Brand New Day cast featuring several iconic characters joining Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, such as Mark Ruffalo returning as Bruce Banner and the cinematic debut of Jon Bernthal’s iteration of The Punisher. However, it was just confirmed that the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe release is bringing in another character for its long-awaited live-action debut.
According to Deadline, Martin Jones III has been tapped to play the notorious crime boss Alonzo Lincoln, who is better known as Tombstone. This is not actually the first time that the actor has portrayed the fan-favorite comic book villain, having provided his voice in what some call the best Spider-Man movie of all time, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It will not be the last time he plays the character either, as he is also set to reprise Tombstone in the Oscar-winning, 2018 animated feature’s forthcoming second sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Who Is Martin Jones III’s Tombstone?
Credit: Image via The CW
Created by Gerry Conway and Alex Saviuk, Tombstone made his Marvel Comics debut in Web of Spider-Man #36 in 1988. The Harlem native and childhood friend of Peter Parker’s colleague, Robbie Robertson, would gain a reputation as one of New York’s toughest gangsters, and not just from the intimidating appearance resulting from his albino complexion. Due to a mutagenic reaction to an experimental gas, Lincoln has unbreakable skin and is strong enough to crush his opponents with his bare hands.
Before playing Tombstone, Martin Jones III was best known as a member of the hip-hop group Strong Arm Steady, with whom he performed under the stage name Krondon, and has also released several albums on his own. The musician would make his acting debut in 2011 on an episode of NBC’s short-lived legal dramedy Harry’s Law before joining the “DC and Marvel Actor” club with his starring role on The CW’s Black Lightning as the eponymous hero’s archnemesis, Tobias Whale. He has had a recurring role on Paramount+’s Halo and more recently appeared in the 2025 action movie, Shadow Force.
What Else Is Going On With Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
With Tombstone, that makes two villains that the webslinger is set to face off against in Spider-Man: Brand New Day so far, with Better Call Saul’s Michael Mando slated to pay off his brief, mid-credits cameo from 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming by reprising Scorpion. Fellow franchise veterans confirmed to return for Tom Holland’s fourth solo MCU film include Zendaya as Michelle “MJ” Jones and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds. Newcomers to the cast include Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas of The Bear fame and Emmy-winning Severance actor Tramell Tillman, all of whom are in currently undisclosed roles.
The news of Jones’ casting as Tombstone comes amidst an unexpected break in production for Spider-Man: Brand New Day after Tom Holland was injured on the Glasgow, Scotland, set while shooting a stunt. Reports say that the 29-year-old English actor suffered a concussion, but just the next day, Holland was seen attending an event in London for his charity, The Brothers Trust, with Zendaya, who is also his fiancée. So, he appears to be in good spirits and health and should be back to work on Marvel’s next big feature in no time.
With Martin Jones III joining the Spider-Man: Brand New Day cast as Tombstone, there appears to be a trend forming of actors reprising their animated comic book character roles in live-action projects. Frank Grillo voiced Rick Flag Sr. on Creature Commandos before appearing as the general in James Gunn’s Superman and Peacemaker Season 2, and Josh Duhamel expressed interest in playing Two-Face for the DC Universe after voicing the villain in 2021’s Batman: The Long Halloween. Who knows who will be next?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit theaters July 31, 2026.