Tom Holland Names His Ideal Spider-Man Successor, Says He Would ‘Love’ to Mentor Him

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen its fair share of passing-of-the-baton moments, but we might have just gotten a glimpse into the literal future of our favorite neighborhood web-slinger.

Tom Holland has officially been swinging around New York City as Peter Parker for a decade now, making his unforgettable debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War.

While the 30-year-old British actor is nowhere near done with the iconic red-and-blue suit, he is already looking ahead at what, and more importantly, who comes next.

In a revealing and highly anticipated new interview with Esquire UK, Holland opened up about the inevitable reality that he will one day have to hang up the web-shooters for good.

When pressed on who he could envision filling those massive superhero shoes, Holland didn’t dance around the question or offer a vague, PR-friendly answer. Instead, he dropped a specific, highly acclaimed name that has Hollywood buzzing: Owen Cooper.

The endorsement is a massive nod from Marvel’s reigning hero, and it signals a fascinating shift in how the franchise’s future could shape up. “Owen Cooper would be awesome,” Holland stated confidently during his conversation with Esquire UK. “Obviously, he’s super-talented and the talk of the town right now.”

Holland also pointed out a fundamental truth about the beloved comic book character, noting that the superhero role always works incredibly well when it is given to a fresh, vibrant new face.

Passing the Torch: Tom Holland Wants to Be the Next Robert Downey Jr.

For Holland, thinking about the next generation isn’t just about choosing a cool successor; it’s about paying forward the life-changing guidance he received when he first joined the Marvel family.

Stepping into the MCU as a teenager is no small feat, and Holland is the first to admit he didn’t navigate those overwhelming waters entirely on his own.

He credits Marvel’s ultimate patriarch, Robert Downey Jr., for showing him the ropes and keeping him grounded during his early, whirlwind years as Peter Parker.

Now, Holland wants to replicate that exact dynamic for the next actor who gets bitten by the radioactive spider.

He explained to Esquire UK that he is actively looking for ways to stay anchored to the Sony and Marvel franchise long after his own acting tenure officially draws to a close, even if the corporate side of Hollywood makes that a bit tricky.

“In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next,” Holland admitted.

However, he also playfully acknowledged the behind-the-scenes realities of the movie business, noting that it is “pretty tough to get a producing credit on future movies.”

Even if a formal producer credit proves elusive, Holland’s desire to act as a real-life mentor is unwavering. Having completed his initial Marvel contract with the multiversal blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home back in 2021, Holland confessed that he was initially “on the fence” about returning for a fourth solo outing.

Ultimately, his deep love for the character brought him back, and he became heavily embedded in both the pre- and post-production creative processes for the upcoming film.

Who is Owen Cooper? The 16-Year-Old Phenomenon Taking Hollywood by Storm.

If you haven’t heard Owen Cooper’s name yet, you are about to see it everywhere. At just 16 years old, the young English actor has achieved the kind of prestigious industry recognition that seasoned veterans spend their entire lives chasing.

Cooper completely shook up the television landscape with his breathtaking, emotionally raw breakout performance in the smash-hit Netflix psychological crime drama miniseries, Adolescence.

In Adolescence, Cooper took on the incredibly complex and dark role of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old schoolboy thrust into the center of a tense investigation after being arrested for the tragic murder of a classmate.

The series, which was shot entirely in a single continuous take per episode, received overwhelming critical acclaim, largely due to Cooper’s hauntingly mature performance.

The role catapulted him into showbiz history, making him the youngest-ever recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA TV Award, and an Actor Award from the Screen Actors Guild.

Ironically, Cooper’s journey into the world of drama brings his connection to Tom Holland full circle. Before he began taking weekly classes at the Manchester-based drama school The Drama Mob, Cooper was actually a dedicated young athlete playing for the Warrington Rylands under-15 football squad.

What changed his mind and drove him toward a career under the bright lights? It was none other than watching Tom Holland’s devastatingly brilliant performance in the 2012 disaster drama film, The Impossible.

Knowing that Cooper was initially inspired to act because of Holland makes the Marvel star’s enthusiastic endorsement feel like a poetic, meant-to-be Hollywood moment.

Expanding the Multiverse: What the Future Holds for the Spider-Verse

What makes Holland’s vocal support of Cooper so intriguing is that the future of the franchise doesn’t necessarily dictate a straight-up, direct replacement of Peter Parker.

In separate, recent comments made to outlets like SYFY, Holland has hinted that the live-action future of the web-slinging hero on the silver screen could, and perhaps should, expand far beyond Peter’s perspective.

He expressed excitement about introducing and launching the next cinematic chapters for other fan-favorite characters who have thrived in the comic books and animated films, such as Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen.

Cooper certainly possesses the exact type of youthful, vibrant energy that made Holland’s own portrayal of Spider-Man a multi-billion-dollar success.

Yet, thanks to his heavy dramatic roots in Adolescence, Cooper also brings a distinctly darker, more intense emotional edge that could reinvent the superhero for a brand-new era.

Whether Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures are actively looking at him for a future role is a secret locked tightly in Kevin Feige’s vault, but Holland clearly sees a rare, undeniable spark in the teenager.

For the time being, fans don’t have to worry about Holland handing over his suit just yet. He is fully locked in and ready to swing back onto the big screen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled to hit theaters on July 31, 2026.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film finds Peter Parker operating entirely on his own, with the world completely forgetting his civilian identity following the tragic ending of No Way Home.

Living a lonely, full-time superhero existence in New York City, Peter will rub shoulders with Frank Castle, aka The Punisher (played by Jon Bernthal), and go toe-to-toe with the menacing Scorpion (played by Michael Mando).

Holland is incredibly confident that fans are about to experience something truly extraordinary with this next chapter. Despite his initial hesitation about making a fourth film, he believes the creative risks they took will leave audiences stunned.

Reflecting on the upcoming summer blockbuster, Holland proudly teased, “I think it is the best Spider-Man movie that we’ve ever made. It’s a bit of a risk, but I think it really pays off.”

While Brand New Day marks a bold new path for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, it is incredibly comforting for Marvel fans to know that whenever the actor does decide to step aside, he’s already looking out for the future of the neighborhood.