Tom Holland Wants to Mentor His Spider-Man Replacement — And He Already Has Someone in Mind

Tom Holland Is Already Planning His Exit From Spider-Man — And He Knows Who Should Replace Him

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day set to swing into theaters this July 2026, Tom Holland is already looking past his latest outing as the web-slinging hero. In a recent interview with Esquire, Holland made it clear he does not plan to play Peter Parker forever — and he has already got a name in mind for who could take over the iconic role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Owen Cooper Would Be Awesome

Holland dropped a name that probably was not on most people's radar: Owen Cooper, the 16-year-old British actor who made history as the youngest male Emmy winner ever for his lead role in Netflix's Adolescence. Cooper, who won at just 15 as a first-time actor, has been generating serious buzz in Hollywood — and Holland is clearly impressed.

Obviously, he is super-talented and the talk of the town right now, Holland told Esquire about Cooper, who recently also appeared in Wuthering Heights.

But it is not just about naming a successor. Holland said he wants to mentor the next Spider-Man the same way Robert Downey Jr. mentored him. Speaking to Empire magazine earlier this year, Holland revealed he wants to do what Downey did for me — helping a younger actor navigate the massive responsibility of carrying a flagship MCU franchise.

Setting Up the Future: Miles Morales and Beyond

Holland's comments come alongside some intriguing hints about where Marvel Studios might take Spider-Man next. In a separate interview with IGN, Holland teased that he is interested in setting up the next chapter — potentially paving the way for Miles Morales to take center stage in the MCU.

This is not the first time Holland has hinted at his eventual departure. With four solo Spider-Man films under his belt (Homecoming, Far From Home, No Way Home, and the upcoming Brand New Day), he has already surpassed the three-film runs of both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Brand New Day also stars Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal as The Punisher, and Mark Ruffalo. The film is scheduled for a July 2026 theatrical release through Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios.

What This Means for the MCU

Let us be real — no one is replacing Tom Holland as Spider-Man tomorrow. But his willingness to talk openly about succession planning shows a level of maturity that is rare in Hollywood. If Marvel and Sony are listening, a graceful handover could mean the difference between a smooth transition and a messy one (we are looking at you, James Bond franchise).

Whether it is Owen Cooper, Miles Morales, or someone else entirely, one thing is clear: Tom Holland wants to make sure the next Spider-Man gets the mentorship he wished for — and that is the kind of legacy that goes beyond box office numbers.