Spider-Man Actor Tom Holland Opens Up About the Challenges of Acting Beyond the MCU

Article Overview

Tom Holland found taking on a role outside the MCU "incredibly scary" due to the "safety-blanket" of Spider-Man and the "Marvel machine."

Starring in the challenging lead role of The Crowded Room series on AppleTV+ prompted Tom Holland to take a break from acting for a year.

While the status of Tom Holland as Spider-Man in the MCU remains uncertain, there have been reports of discussions and meetings taking place for the potential development of Spider-Man 4.

Tom Holland recently discussed his decision to pursue roles outside of the MCU, where he has played Spider-Man since 2016. After a historic deal between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures, Holland took on the role of Peter Parker in six Marvel Studios projects over five years. However, after the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, Holland has accepted more diverse acting opportunities, including a challenging role in the AppleTV+ series The Crowded Room. This role was so demanding that Holland has decided to take a break from acting. He described the role of Spider-Man as a "safety blanket" and admitted that transitioning to the role of Danny Sullivan was "incredibly scary," but he has received support from his fellow MCU colleagues such as Zendaya, Robert Downey Jr., and Benedict Cumberbatch.

I was accustomed to the Marvel machine and the security of Spider-Man, which made me feel protected. Therefore, taking on something like this was extremely daunting, but the fear made the experience incredibly satisfying and fulfilling.

RelatedSpider-Man 4 Breaking 1 MCU Release Trend Is Secretly Good

Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4 is poised to break an MCU release trend, which is good, as it is the only way to follow Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Is Tom Holland Returning To The MCU For More Spider-Man Films?

Following the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal of Marvel Studios appeared to confirm that Tom Holland would be returning for a new Spider-Man trilogy in the MCU. Despite this, Holland has expressed uncertainty about his return, even suggesting that he would be interested in seeing an MCU project centered around Miles Morales' Spider-Man. Feige revealed in a February 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly that the story for Spider-Man 4 had been planned, with expectations for Holland and Zendaya to reprise their roles.

While meetings have taken place to discuss the development of Spider-Man 4 in the MCU, Holland has also expressed reservations about returning as Peter Parker, stating that he would only come back if they could surpass the third film. During an interview with Collider in November 2023, Holland emphasized the importance of protecting the legacy of Spider-Man and stated that he would not make another film "for the sake of making another one." Production setbacks caused by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have delayed progress on Spider-Man 4, but it is hoped that development will soon resume and provide clarity on Tom Holland's future as Spider-Man.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter/Entertainment Weekly/X/Collider

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Tom Holland and Spider-Man, I am thrilled to learn about his journey beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's exciting to see him take on new challenges and explore different roles. His portrayal of Spider-Man has been nothing short of remarkable, and I have no doubt that he will continue to shine in his future endeavors. I am particularly intrigued by his upcoming role in The Crowded Room series on AppleTV+, which seems like a significant departure from his usual superhero persona. It's great that he's pushing himself out of his comfort zone and taking on more diverse projects.

However, I can't help but feel a bit concerned about the future of Spider-Man in the MCU. Tom Holland's uncertainty about returning to the role is understandable, given the immense pressure and expectations that come with it. I hope that Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures can find a way to continue the Spider-Man franchise with Tom Holland while also respecting his wishes and ensuring that the quality of the films remains high. Ultimately, I trust that they will make the best decision for the character and the fans.