Marvel Studios’Captain America: Civil WarintroducedSpider-Manto the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Tom Holland in the coveted role. While Marvel Studios and Sony had plans to feature the wall-crawler in additional films, Holland has now revealed that he believed his tenure with the MCU was over after his appearance in theCaptain Americasequel.
After Sony’sThe Amazing Spider-Man 2disappointed at the box office, the company reached a landmark agreement with Marvel Studios to co-produce newSpider-Manfilms that would allow the wall-crawler to be integrated into the MCU, starting withCaptain America: Civil War. A subsequent worldwide wide search for an actor to portray the new Spider-Man concluded with Holland landing the role after successful auditions with bothRobert Downey Jr.and Chris Evans, besting a list of potential contenders that reportedly included Asa Butterfield and Charlie Rowe.
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During a conversation withBlack Pantherstar Daniel Kaluuyafor Variety’sActors on Actorsseries, Tom Holland revealed that he found out he was chosen to play Spider-Man through the press and his brother initially believed the announcement might be the false result of Sony being hacked. Fortunately, the studio contacted Holland to confirm the casting news, but another case of miscommunication would later lead to the young star believing he was being let go before production on Marvel Studios' first standaloneSpider-Manfilm began. “From the moment of shooting ‘Civil War’ to ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’ I was convinced they were going to fire me,” Holland said. “I don’t know why. ‘Civil War’ hadn’t come out yet, and I just didn’t hear anything from anyone. I can’t really explain it. It was awful, but they didn’t — obviously. It’s been crazy, mate. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Of course, Holland would reprise the role inSpider-Man: Homecomingand its sequel,Far From Home, as well asAvengers: Infinity WarandEndgame. Production on Holland’s untitled thirdSpider-Manfilm is currently underway in Atlanta with an ensemble cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus, and Jamie Foxx as Electro. The project nearly moved forward without Marvel Studios whenSony and Disney were unable to reach a new dealto continue co-producing newSpider-Manfilms, though an agreement between both parties was eventually settled with some help from a disheartened Holland.
The inclusion of characters from previousSpider-Manfilms in Holland’s third standalone outing as the wall-crawler has led to speculation thatTobey Maguire and Andrew Garfieldwill also return as their respective versions of the character. However, Sony has only responded to the speculation by noting that such casting rumors have not been confirmed.
How characters from earlier films will appear in Marvel Studios’Spider-Man 3remains unclear and subject to speculation, butDoctor Strange’s involvementlikely provides some clues. After all, the title of the sorcerer’s second standalone film,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, indicates alternate worlds and realities will factor into Phase 4 of the MCU.
Marvel Studios’Spider-Man 3is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 05, 2025.
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