Tom Holland, one of today’s most amazing actors, established himself in the business with the 2016 film Captain America: Civil War and the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming, both set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
One of the hardest things he has ever done, according to the actor who plays Danny Sullivan in the Apple TV+ series The Crowded Room. The actor recently made a rare comment about the fourth Spider-Man movie in addition to acting as the show’s star and executive producer.
Tom Holland’s screen test with Robert Downey Jr. blew Amy Pascal’s mind
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Tom Holland discussed the future of the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise, but before that, the director, Amy Pascal, had some wonderful things to say about the actor. She explained that Holland’s performance as Lucas in 2012’s The Impossible and his screen test with actor Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man in the MCU, knocked her off her feet.
Pascal said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. He inhabited Peter Parker in a way that was completely unique. He was emotional. He was funny. He had a pathos to him that was hidden behind his smile. But you can feel it. He’s hiding it from you in a way that’s beautiful.” Hence, Holland made his debut in Captain America: Civil War before starring in his solo movies following the success of the former.
Read this: Tom Holland Steps Away From Acting After Critics Slam His New Show ‘The Crowded Room’
Tom Holland worries about the fourth installment of the Spider-Man franchise
The young actor who has managed to impress ardent Marvel fans with his acting as Spider-Man shared with the publication that he had some notes and ideas about what the fourth movie should be like before the writers went on strike. He said,
“It was myself, Amy, Kevin Feige, Rachel O’Connor, sometimes other executives from Marvel would sit in. It’s a collaborative process. The first few meetings were about, ‘Why would we do this again?’ And I think we found the reason why. I’m really, really happy with where we’re at in terms of the creative.”
Holland, however, expressed his concerns about how there is a bit of stigma about the fourth one in all franchises and he felt like they had hit a home run with their first franchise. The actor seemingly admits that there is a part of him that wants to walk away with his head held high and pass the baton to the next lucky kid who gets to bring life to the character.
This rare comment from Holland might surprise the fans, but shouldn’t because he looks back at what had happened with his predecessors, i.e., Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Maguire starred in three Spider-Man movies and Garfield was let go from the franchise after his second effort, 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 so Holland thinking about exiting before they let him go does make sense.
Tom Holland turns to his peers for advice
During the discussion, Tom Holland shared that sometimes he would just turn to his peers, including Uncharted co-star Mark Wahlberg or co-star Chris Pratt or Timothée Chalamet, who starred with Zendaya in Dune, for some advice on how to best avoid Hollywood roughs. Talking about Chalamet, Holland said, “We’re obviously very often part of the same conversation. I admire him. I really like him as a friend. And he’s a good ally to have in a business that’s pretty cutthroat.”
His fellow co-star and MCU favorite, Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch, is also one of Holland’s biggest cheerleaders who starred with him in his latest Spider-Man: No Way Home and has had great things to say about the actor. He said Holland has got a range and he knows what works for him and the audience, what stretches him and he keeps his catalog varied to show his ability to transform and surprise everyone. Cumberbatch lastly adds that Holland is not negatively affected by the branding of playing the superhero of all superheroes, which Spider-Man is.
Source: THR
Frequently asked questions
Did Tom Holland say he wants to quit playing Spider-Man?
Not outright. In his Hollywood Reporter interview Holland said he is "really, really happy" with the creative direction of the fourth Spider-Man film, but he also admitted that a part of him wants to walk away "with his head held high" and pass the baton to the next actor who plays the role. He framed it as wanting to exit on his own terms rather than making a firm decision to leave the franchise.
Why did Holland bring up Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield?
He referenced his predecessors to explain his thinking about leaving on his own terms. Tobey Maguire starred in three Spider-Man films, while Andrew Garfield's run ended after his second, 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Holland suggested that choosing when to step away, rather than being let go as Garfield was, makes sense in light of that history. No firm exit plans were confirmed in the interview.
What did producer Amy Pascal say about Tom Holland's casting?
Producer Amy Pascal praised Holland's screen test opposite Robert Downey Jr. (who played Tony Stark / Iron Man) and his earlier performance in 2012's The Impossible. She said he "inhabited Peter Parker in a way that was completely unique" and had a hidden pathos behind his smile. Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War before headlining his own solo films.
