UMVA has learned that Tom Holland's recent comments about taking charge on the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day have sparked a heated debate among fans.
The 30-year-old star revealed he had been 'laying down the law' during filming, which caused a stir among fans who took to social media to express their disapproval. 'Respectfully, who tf does he think he is?' asked one person, while another troll said: 'I don’t like that at all. Work on humbling yourself.'
However, Tom's comments have also been met with support from those who believe he has a point. It's no secret that Marvel films have been struggling to live up to the standards set by earlier movies like Iron Man and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Reshoots and cobbled-together scripts have become the norm, with some industry insiders dubbing this approach the 'Marvel Method.'
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Tom's experience working on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has had a profound impact on his approach to filmmaking. He told GQ: 'I was really able to lay down the law and say, “We are not going to come to set and figure it out”. We need to know why we are making this movie beyond the fact that it’s Spider-Man 4 and they make loads of money and we’re going to just have a big summer.'
Tom praised director Destin Daniel Cretton for being 'super instrumental' in pushing for a fresh approach, but added that he frequently called up the studio and producers to make his case. 'Well, Chris is doing it this way. This is how I think we should be doing it,' he shared.
The Spider-Man franchise is one of the few hero franchises still thriving, but it's clear that Tom's insistence on a cohesive plan could be just what Marvel needs to revitalize its flagging franchise. Fans might still rally behind the behemoth, but the franchise has been faltering under its own weight for the better part of a decade.
Tom's portrayal of Spider-Man has been a major factor in the franchise's continued success, and it's clear that he needs to continue to deliver strong performances to maintain his reputation as a safe-bet star. However, he also needs to avoid being typecast in the superhero genre and explore other opportunities to grow as an actor.
Zendaya, his co-star in Spider-Man and Dune, has effortlessly navigated multiple franchises and character-driven pieces, and Tom has frequently expressed his admiration for her talent. By taking notes from her career and working with visionary directors like Nolan, Tom could break out of his current mold and deliver more memorable performances.
