In 2016, Tom Holland landed a role that arguably changed his career, as the next Spider-Man. In a recent interview for Variety, Holland detailed the long process that brought him into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After six auditions, he tested with Robert Downey Jr., who portrayed Iron Man at the time, a character who would greatly influence Peter Parker.
“There was me and six other kids, and [Robert] Downey [Jr.] was there, so we all tested with Downey, which was crazy,” Holland said. “It’s the best audition I’ve ever done, him and I were riffing off each other. My agents told me that Marvel likes you to learn the words exactly — you can’t improvise. And then, on the first take, Downey just completely changed the scene. We started riffing with each other, and I mean, to sound like a bit of a dick, I rang my mum afterward and was like, ‘I think I’ve got it.’”
Days passed, but he heard no news from casting. Even after shooting another audition next to Chris Evans’ Captain America, they gave him no answer. Finally, he found online that he scored the role.. Holland revealed that he literally broke his computer when he read that he would portray the web-slinger on-screen.
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And even after filming his scenes for Captain America: Civil War, the British actor had some doubtful moments about his future as Spider-Man.
“From the moment of shooting Civil War to Spider-Man: Homecoming, I was convinced they were going to fire me. I don’t know why,” Holland said. “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.”
Ironically, Holland’s Peter Parker goes through the same kind of agony in Homecoming where he is desperately waiting for a call from a fretful Tony Stark. Holland’s next appearance as the web-slinger should happen with the upcoming Spider-Man 3. At the moment, the actor is on the set of the film, which should debut on Dec. 17.
Are you satisfied with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker? Let us know in the comments section below.
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