Tom Holland’s Unlikely Rise to Becoming the New Spider-Man
In 2015, Tom Holland faced long odds to land the coveted role of Spider-Man. After a worldwide search by Marvel Studios, he emerged victorious, defeating over 1,500 competitors, including Timothée Chalamet. But it wasn’t just his acting chops that won him the part – his athletic background in acrobatics and dance helped convince the decision-makers that he was the right Spider-Man.
Holland’s audition tape showcased his impressive physical abilities, starting with a backflip that wowed director Jon Watts. “He was so young and sweet, and just charming, and then in the audition, he did a full backflip, like a standing backflip, in addition to being really great on tape,” Watts said.
Anthony Russo, director of “Avengers: Endgame,” also praised Holland’s charisma, confidence, and energy, saying, “He was all the things that reminded me of what I loved about Peter Parker as a kid.”
As Spider-Man, Holland has become a global superstar, starring in three of the 10 highest-grossing films ever made. However, with his 28th birthday now behind him, he’s admitting that his body may not be able to keep up with his youthful antics for much longer. Despite his success, Holland acknowledges that his physical limitations might force him to scale back his daredevil stunts, explaining, “I actually did land it, but I pulled every muscle in my stomach. For weeks, I couldn’t laugh because my stomach was so sore.”