Tom Holland broke his computer when he got Spider-Man casting news
Tom Holland has revealed that his celebration after learning he had been cast as Spider-Man got a bit out of hand, leading him to break his laptop.
The 24-year-old first played Peter Parker and his web-slinging alter ego back in the 2016 movie Captain America: Civil War and has since become a key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
But getting there was hard work for the British star, who revealed in a chat with fellow actor Daniel Kaluuya for Variety that he was put through his paces over a gruelling seven-month audition process.
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Holland revealed he ultimately found out in the press, having assumed the lack of contact from Marvel and Sony meant they had cast somebody else.
“I got my computer, and my dog was sitting next to me,” Holland said. “I type in ‘Marvel.’ I’ve still got the article saved on my computer. It said; ‘We would like to introduce our new Spider-Man, Tom Holland.’
Watch: Tom Holland and Daniel Kaluuya discuss acting
“I broke my computer, because I flipped it up in the air. It fell off my bed; my dog went nuts.
“I ran downstairs. I was telling my family: ‘I got the part! I got the part!’”
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Holland said he initially believed he had won the part after a screen test alongside Robert Downey Jr. in which he was forced to improvise when his co-star completely diverged from the script.
He also took part in a fight sequence alongside Chris Evans, whose Captain America was on the other side of the superhero divide surrounding the Sokovia Accords.
Holland said the interview process was an “amazing” experience and that the subsequent few years of actually playing the role have been equally exciting.
“From the moment of shooting Civil War to Spider-Man: Homecoming, I was convinced they were going to fire me,” he added.
“I don’t know why. Civil War hadn’t come out yet, and I just didn’t hear anything from anyone.
“I can’t really explain it. It was awful, but they didn’t — obviously. It’s been crazy, mate. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
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Holland’s Spidey was briefly under threat when Marvel and Sony failed to come to an agreement over the continued use of the character in the summer of 2019.
A deal was ultimately reached, with the actor himself reportedly instrumental in convincing all parties that the studios should continue to work together.
Holland is set to reprise his role as Peter Parker later this year in the third solo movie for the character within the MCU.
The secretive project is currently untitled, but is set to feature various characters from Spidey’s past — inside and outside of the Marvel franchise.
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Benedict Cumberbatch is set to appear as Doctor Strange, while Jamie Foxx will reprise his Amazing Spider-Man 2 role as Electro and Alfred Molina will again be Doctor Octopus — 17 years after Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.
There are also persistent rumours that other versions of Peter Parker could appear in the movie, with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reportedly in talks for roles.
Spider-Man 3 is currently due to be released on 17 December 2021.
Watch: Alfred Molina to be Doc Ock again in Spider-Man 3
