Tom Holland's Journey in the MCU: From Seeking Acting Advice to Future Projects

Tom Holland's Journey in the MCU

Marvel Studios star Tom Holland has revealed that he sought advice from other MCU alums, which included being taught how to fake cry effectively by one of Marvel's most powerful superheroes. After a deal was struck between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures in 2015, Tom Holland debuted as Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, in 2016's Captain America: Civil War.

Spider-Man in the rain in No Way Home

Since then, Holland's Spider-Man has become a cornerstone of the MCU, appearing in both Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, as well as leading his own solo Spider-Man trilogy. After entering the MCU, Tom Holland sought acting advice from his high-profile peers, which has become invaluable in his recent roles outside the MCU.

Spider-Man crying over dying Tony Stark in Avengers Endgame

Acting Advice from MCU Alums

As well as revealing that he was provided advice from Spider-Man co-star Zendaya and MCU legend Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland also mentioned in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter that Benedict Cumberbatch taught him how to fake cry in his more emotional scenes. Cumberbatch has portrayed the MCU's Doctor Strange since 2016's eponymous project, and performed opposite Holland in Infinity War and No Way Home.

Spider-Man and MJ kissing at the end of No Way Home

Benedict Cumberbatch is someone that I ask for advice a lot about acting. I went through a phase where I was really, really struggling to cry — in my personal life also — and it was really affecting me on set. I would really just worry about crying scenes and worry and worry and worry. I would worry so much that I would almost worry myself out of tears... There’s that beautiful scene at the end of The Imitation Game where he breaks down. I remember watching that as a kid, just sort of being blown away by it. I was lucky to be working with him on a film called A Current War and I asked him, “How did you do that? Did you draw from your own personal emotions or is there a technique that you do?” Truth be told, it was a combination of both. The technique that he told me was thing he’s able to do with his diaphragm, which is almost like laughing. I’m probably giving away his secrets. He showed me on set, and we were just hanging out having a coffee. He would do this thing where he would simulate laughing and breathe really, really quickly that it brings the emotion to the surface. Then you take it and ride the wave from there. Fuck, I started doing that and I love crying scenes now. I love it. I feel really confident and it’s something that I have in my wheelhouse. I don’t have to draw on past experiences or personal matters anymore.

Aunt May delivering her final lines in Spider-Man No Way Home

What's Next For Tom Holland In The MCU?

Following the release of 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland next executive produced and starred in 2023's AppleTV+ miniseries The Crowded Room as Danny Sullivan, inspired by the real story of Billy Milligan. Holland noted how demanding and emotionally exposing the role of Danny Sullivan had been, prompting him to choose to take a year off from acting, which includes any MCU appearances.

Peter Parker using the spell in No Way Home

Despite this hiatus, Marvel Studios and Sony have confirmed that Spider-Man 4 is in development, and Tom Holland is expected to return as Peter Parker, though the actor has noted that he'd like to see an MCU project focused on Miles Morales' Spider-Man instead. Marvel Studios' chief Kevin Feige previously confirmed that the story for Spider-Man 4 has been decided, though there has been no sign as to what this story could entail. Popular theories suggest Spider-Man could become a street-level hero along with the likes of Daredevil and Echo, potentially even battling Wilson Fisk's Kingpin in the MCU's future. Following a tease at the end of No Way Home, it's also possible that Peter Parker could bond with the Venom symbiote in Spider-Man 4. With the future of Spider-Man in the MCU looking bright, Tom Holland could become an even more central figure as Peter Parker's storyline continues to develop.