Tom Holland Reveals Who He Thinks, Should Be the Next Spider-Man

Post By DJ Longers
June 17, 2026

Tom Holland Reveals Who He Thinks, Should Be the Next Spider-Man

LONDON — Marvel star Tom Holland has tipped a surprising British breakout star to inherit the mantle of Peter Parker when he eventually hangs up his web-shooters.

Speaking in a major cover interview for Esquire UK, the 30-year-old actor did not hesitate when asked who should follow in his blockbuster footsteps, naming 16-year-old Owen Cooper as his ideal successor.

Cooper recently made television history as the youngest ever actor to win both a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his gritty performance in the Netflix drama Adolescence.

"Owen Cooper would be awesome," Holland told the magazine. "Obviously he's super talented, and he's the talk of the town right now."

The endorsement comes at a pivotal moment for the multi-billion-pound superhero franchise. Holland is currently preparing for the release of his highly anticipated fourth solo film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, which hits cinemas next month.

While the new film is expected to kick off a fresh trilogy for Holland’s iteration of the web-slinger, the actor is already looking toward the future of the character and his own eventual exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

A Passing of the Torch

Holland revealed that he wants to transition into a producing role for future installments to help steer the franchise into its next era, drawing parallels to his own entry into Hollywood.

"In the way that Robert Downey [Jr.] was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next," Holland explained.

The actor has also previously expressed strong support for introducing a live-action version of Miles Morales, the star of Sony's animated Spider-Verse trilogy, or characters like Spider-Gwen into the mainline MCU films. However, his latest comments indicate he is equally enthusiastic about keeping the classic Peter Parker lineage alive with fresh British talent.

For Cooper, the prospect of taking over the iconic role is already a familiar one. Speaking recently on The Tonight Show, the Warrington-born teenager admitted to host Jimmy Fallon that playing Spider-Man would be a absolute "dream role" down the line.

A 'Detective Movie' Approach

Before any batons are passed, however, Holland still has plenty of work left to do in the suit. Discussing the upcoming Brand New Day, which sees Peter Parker navigating his early twenties, Holland teased a major shift in tone for the franchise.

"This movie is a real mystery, and for a large portion of the film, even Spider-Man is a little bit at odds and lost," Holland told Esquire. "We're just trying to find ways to make this movie feel like a detective movie".

The film, which features a redesigned costume influenced by fan feedback, is said to incorporate classic street-level Marvel elements, with trailers teasing appearances from villains associated with the criminal underworld.

Whether Marvel Studios bosses take Holland's casting advice remains to be seen, but with the backing of the MCU's current resident hero, Owen Cooper’s stock in Hollywood has just soared significantly higher.