Tom Holland is just as eager to make *Spider-Man 4* as fans are to see it. In a recent interview, he revealed that he read a draft of the script three weeks ago, which “lit a fire” in him.
Both Marvel and Sony share his enthusiasm to move forward with the project, but as Holland explained, the film hasn’t come together yet due to the complexities of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the fact that he’s no longer under contract.
During a nearly two-hour conversation, Holland touched on various aspects of his life, including family, career, and sobriety, but naturally, the discussion also delved into the MCU and Spider-Man.
Toward the end of the interview, Roll asked about the challenges Holland is currently facing, and the actor pointed to Spider-Man 4 as his biggest hurdle.
You can watch this specific segment, which runs about six minutes, at 1:30:35, and we’ll break down some of Holland’s key quotes.
“I think the biggest challenge I’m facing right now, which is undoubtedly the most first-world problem ever, is the power of choice, and it revolves around Spider-Man,” Holland said. “When I signed my contract for the first Spider-Man, I was 18, and I signed on for six films.
I was more excited than I’d ever been in my life, and for the past 10 years, I’ve been at Marvel and Sony’s beck and call—and proudly so.
It’s been the best experience of my life. But now I’m at a point where I can say ‘No,’ and with that comes the challenge of figuring out what the right thing to do is.
I’ve had to stand my ground in certain situations, something I couldn’t do before. It’s been a learning curve, navigating this new sense of power—making sure I don’t abuse it, but also ensuring that I make decisions that are best for me, the character, and not just the studio. I don’t want to make another film just for the sake of making one.”
He continued, revealing more about the choices he’s had to make.
“The studio wants another *Spider-Man*, and so do I. I want to make many more, but I want to do it for the right reasons,” Holland explained. “I’m figuring out what this power and responsibility mean.
I’ve been talking to people, asking questions… I’ve had a lot of conversations with [Robert] Downey, especially about his return, which is super exciting. That was a tough secret to keep since I have a reputation for spoiling things. I’ve made sure to strategically avoid any press.”
Holland then touched on Downey’s return as Doctor Doom and his concerns about handling such secrets, considering his history of leaks.
“I’m not complaining, it’s an incredible position to be in,” Holland added. “But it’s something that keeps me up at night, constantly thinking, ‘Am I making the right choice? Will I do justice to the character?
Will I do justice to the fans?’ I don’t want to make a movie just for the sake of it because Spider-Man is so much more than that. But everything is going well.”
“I feel like I owe the fans the best possible version of Spider-Man’s next chapter,” he said. “Creative integrity is really important to me, and I think the studio feels the same way.
They’ve been incredibly supportive and collaborative, and we’re all pushing to get this done as soon as possible. We’re moving full speed ahead, but there are still a lot of moving parts that need to fall into place.”
Fans will be glad to hear that Holland describes the project as “pedal to the metal,” with everyone aiming to start production as soon as possible. However, he did address why things haven’t progressed faster.
“I’m not sure how much I can say about the creative and logistical challenges we’re facing,” Holland said. “With Marvel, your film is just a small cog in a much larger machine, and that machine needs to keep moving.
We need to fit this into the MCU’s timeline at the right moment to support the broader picture. That’s one of the challenges, and finding that perfect timing is a tall order, but it’s achievable with the incredible people we have working on it.”
Holland emphasized the importance of the creative direction. “The creative side is my biggest concern,” he explained. “We have a great pitch and an excellent draft.
It needs more work, but the writers are doing an amazing job. I read the script three weeks ago, and it really ignited my passion. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together, and at times, we were literally bouncing around the room.
It’s shaping up to be a movie that truly respects the fans, but there are still a few things we need to work through before we can get going. It’s exciting, and I’m really, really pumped about it.”
Holland’s excitement is contagious, and while details remain under wraps, it’s clear he’s invested in delivering a Spider-Man film that meets fan expectations.
His comments also hint at rumors of creative conflict, particularly about whether the film will focus on a smaller, street-level story or dive into the multiverse. Whatever the outcome, it seems a decision has been made, and concrete news should be on the horizon.
For more insights into Holland’s thoughts on the MCU, his personal life, and more, be sure to check out the full interview with Rich Roll. It’s a fantastic conversation where Holland also discusses mentoring a young actor for a possible Miles Morales role and being part of major MCU meetings.
