Tom Holland’s Battle to Escape the Spider-Man Shadow
Tom Holland’s name is now almost inseparable from Spider-Man, but the actor is keen to prove he’s more than just a web-slinger. Can his next big role finally change how audiences see him?
For plenty of punters, Tom Holland is the face of Spider-Man, no matter what else he does. He first popped up on the big screen in The Impossible, but it was his turn in Captain America: Civil War that really put him on the map. Since then, he’s swung through six Marvel blockbusters, not counting that blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in Venom: Let There Be Carnage that fizzled out.
Holland’s knack for playing Peter Parker—awkward, witty, and full of teenage angst—has made him a household name. But it’s also boxed him in. Audiences now expect a certain brand of humour and charm from him, making it tough for the bloke to break out of the superhero mould. Just look at how Uncharted was received—he couldn’t quite shake off the Spidey vibes.
Trying to Break Free
It’s not for lack of trying. Holland’s taken on darker, more serious roles, like in The Devil All the Time and Cherry, where he played a young man dealing with PTSD. He’s shown he’s got the chops for more than just quips and web-slinging, but finding the right project to help him step out of Peter Parker’s shadow has been a challenge.
Fans love seeing him as the pop culture-obsessed high schooler, but if he wants to be recognised for more, he might have to hang up the suit for good. The question is, will he?
Looking Beyond the Mask
After nearly a decade in the red and blue, Holland’s hinted he’s not planning to stick around as Spider-Man forever. Back in 2021, he told
“Maybe it is time for me to move on.”
It’s been a few years since then, and he’s already signed on for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Odds are, he’ll show up in Avengers: Secret Wars or maybe even Avengers: Doomsday as well.
Still, he seems to know there’s a limit. He went on to say,
“Maybe what’s best for Spider-Man is that they do a Miles Morales film. I have to take Peter Parker into account as well, because he is an important part of my life. If I’m playing Spider-Man after I’m 30, I’ve done something wrong.”
With his 30th birthday coming up in June 2026, it looks like the clock’s ticking on his time as the friendly neighbourhood hero.
New Territory with The Odyssey
Holland’s next big gig could be the game-changer he’s after. In Christopher Nolan’s much-hyped The Odyssey, he’s set to play Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope. The film’s got a star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron, and is due to hit cinemas in July 2026.
This time, Holland’s swapping high school drama for ancient myth. As Telemachus, he’s dealing with his dad’s long absence and a bunch of suitors hassling his mum, setting off on his own quest for answers. It’s a far cry from superhero banter, giving him a shot at a more grounded, serious performance—something that might finally help punters see him in a new light.
Holland’s Take on the Role
Holland himself has called the project
“the job of a lifetime, without a doubt. The best experience I’ve had on a film set. Incredible. It was exciting. It was different. And I think the movie is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”
Whether The Odyssey will be the role that lets him break free from the Spider-Man stereotype remains to be seen. With The Odyssey set for release on 17 July 2026, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day following just a fortnight later, audiences won’t have to wait long to see which direction Holland’s career takes next.