Los Angeles: Hollywood actor Tom Holland has candidly admitted that not every film in his career has lived up to his expectations, revealing that there were times when he had to pretend to be enthusiastic while promoting movies he personally believed audiences could skip.
Speaking during the July 22 episode of the Dish Podcast, hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, the Spider-Man star reflected on the challenges of promoting films and explained why this summer feels completely different. With “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” set for release, Holland said he is genuinely proud of both projects.
Tom Holland Opens Up About Difficult Press Tours
During the interview, Holland acknowledged that promoting a film becomes much easier when an actor truly believes in the project.
He explained that journalists often ask a simple question:
“Why should people watch this movie?”
According to Holland, when he believes in the film, answering is effortless because he can honestly recommend it.
However, he admitted there have been occasions when, privately, he felt the truthful answer would have been:
“You probably shouldn’t—it isn’t very good.”
Although Holland declined to identify any specific films, he openly acknowledged that some of his previous projects failed to meet his own standards, demonstrating unusual honesty about the highs and lows of his acting career.
A Summer of Confidence
The actor described 2026 as a turning point, saying that he finally feels excited about every project he is promoting.
He referred to the simultaneous release of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” as something of a “victory lap,” emphasizing that he genuinely believes audiences will enjoy both films.
Industry observers view Holland’s remarks as a sign of growing maturity and confidence as he transitions from a teenage superhero star into one of Hollywood’s leading actors.
Career Beyond Spider-Man
Tom Holland first gained international recognition after being cast as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Since making his debut in 2017, Holland has appeared in multiple blockbuster films while also taking on dramatic and independent projects.
His latest comments suggest he recognizes that not every role has been equally successful and that he has learned valuable lessons from both critical successes and disappointments.
Learning From Anne Hathaway
Holland also praised his “The Odyssey” co-star Anne Hathaway, crediting the Academy Award-winning actress with helping him improve his approach to media interviews.
He revealed that the pair spent three days together participating in promotional interviews for the film.
According to Holland, observing Hathaway’s professionalism and experience during the press tour became an important learning opportunity.
He described working alongside Hathaway as an invaluable experience that has improved his confidence in handling the promotional side of filmmaking.
A Highly Anticipated Film
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, “The Odyssey” has become one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films.
The movie features an ensemble cast including:
- Tom Holland
- Anne Hathaway
- Matt Damon
Interest in the film has remained exceptionally high, with reports indicating that an unauthorized copy briefly appeared online before being removed. Demand for tickets—particularly IMAX screenings—has also led to reports of resale markups and online ticket scams.
Return of Spider-Man
At the same time, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” marks another major chapter in Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker, a role that has made him one of the world’s most recognizable actors.
In previous interviews, Holland has spoken openly about his admiration for the Spider-Man franchise, even naming “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” as his favorite Spider-Man film despite not appearing in it himself.
American Film Critics React
Michael Reynolds, an American film critic, praised Holland’s honesty about his career.
“It’s refreshing to hear a major Hollywood star acknowledge that not every project succeeds. That kind of transparency builds credibility with audiences and shows confidence in his craft,” Reynolds said.
Jennifer Carter, an American entertainment journalist, said Holland’s comments reflect the realities faced by many actors.
“Actors don’t always have complete creative control over the final product. Tom Holland’s willingness to admit that some films didn’t meet his expectations makes his enthusiasm for his latest projects feel much more authentic,” Carter explained.
Looking Ahead
With “The Odyssey” directed by Christopher Nolan and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” arriving in theaters, Tom Holland enters one of the busiest and most significant periods of his career. His candid remarks about past disappointments, combined with his confidence in his latest work, have resonated with fans and industry observers alike, highlighting his evolution as both an actor and a public figure.
