Who Is William Metzger in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and His Connection to Jean Grey in Marvel Comics

Published 07/29/2026, 3:03 AM CDT

via Imago

It was revealed a long time back that Tramell Tillman had joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. However, it was only recently confirmed that he will play none other than the X-Men Villain, William Metzger, in the film. The actor turned heads at the Los Angeles premiere of the film, as he appeared dapper in a pinstripe Tom Ford suit.

If rumors are to be believed, Tillman has signed a multi-year deal with Marvel, which could pave the way for more appearances in several future projects. While many fans are familiar with the actor, who exactly is the character he will be playing in the movie?

Who is William Metzger?

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As comic book readers know, William Metzger is a Marvel Comics character who made his first appearance in X-Men: Children of the Atom #1 all the way back in 1999, created by Joe Casey and Steve Rude. He is a human politician and activist best known as the leader of the Anti-Mutant Militia. He is known for spreading anti-mutant propaganda through his publication, The Militia Press.

via Imago

He made several television appearances and public rallies to portray mutants as a national threat and expand support for his movement. The character also worked closely with the FBI. He also oversaw the Trenton Project, a secret program that aimed to convert Arthur into a weapon against mutants. 

His arc ended in X-Men: Children of the Atom #6 that came out in 2000. In the trailer for the film, the character is seen spreading fear of mutants. More will be found out about William when the character appears in the movie.  

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While fans look forward to how William impacts the events of the film, one of the well-kept secrets of Spider-Man: Brand New Day may have been recently revealed.

Sadie Sink's role gets spoiled at Brand New Day Premiere

Marvel had managed to keep Sadie Sink's role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day under wraps for months. However, the secret appeared to be accidentally revealed during the film's Los Angeles premiere. While speaking on the red carpet, musician Steve Lacy was asked which character he was most excited for, and he responded by naming "Jean."

"I like Jean. She’s the villain, but there’s a reason to her madness," he said.

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February 22, 2026, London, United Kingdom: Sadie Sink attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 held at the Royal Festival Hall, London. London United Kingdom - ZUMAs197 20260222_aaa_s197_1128 Copyright: xMarioxMitsisx

It did not take long enough for fans to connect the dots and speculate that Sink is playing the role of Jean Grey. She had long been rumored to play the telepathic villain in the movie. While many might call it a spoiler, there is certainly much more mystery to the character and her true role in the movie that can only be found out when the movie arrives in theaters.

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Did you know Tramell Tillman's character William Metzger? Let us know in the comments.

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Pritha Debroy

990 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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