Tom Holland Backs Owen Cooper as a Future Spider-Man — and Wants to Mentor Whoever Comes Next

Tom Holland is already thinking beyond the Spider-Man mask.

After years as one of the defining faces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Holland has suggested that rising British actor Owen Cooper would be an exciting choice to succeed him as Spider-Man. More than that, Holland has made clear that when the time eventually comes for another actor to step into the role, he would like to offer the kind of guidance he once received from Robert Downey Jr.

The comment is significant not because Holland has announced an exit, but because it gives fans a rare glimpse into how he views the future of one of Marvel’s most beloved characters. For Holland, Spider-Man is not only a franchise role. It is a legacy — one shaped by mentorship, generational handoff, and the responsibility of carrying a character with deep emotional importance to millions of viewers.

A Spider-Man Star Thinking About the Next Generation

Holland, 30, opened up about his hopes for the future of Spider-Man in a new interview with Esquire. The actor has played the web-slinging superhero in Marvel’s film franchise since 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, growing from a young newcomer in the MCU into one of its central stars.

Asked about his future with Marvel’s Avengers, Holland acknowledged that taking on a larger behind-the-scenes role may not be simple. He said it is “pretty tough to get a producing credit on future movies,” but his real ambition appears to be more personal than contractual: he wants to help guide whoever eventually follows him.

“In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next,” Holland said.

That statement places Holland’s Spider-Man journey in a broader MCU tradition. When he joined the franchise, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark served not only as a key figure in Peter Parker’s story but also as a model for Holland as a young performer entering one of the world’s biggest film universes. Holland now appears to be imagining himself in a similar position — not as the new actor carrying the pressure, but as the experienced figure helping the next Spider-Man navigate it.

Why Owen Cooper Caught Holland’s Attention

When Holland was asked who he would choose to fill his shoes, his answer was direct: Owen Cooper.

“Owen Cooper would be awesome,” Holland said. “Obviously he’s super-talented and the talk of the town right now.”

Cooper, 16, has quickly become one of the most talked-about young actors in the industry after his acclaimed performance in Netflix’s limited series Adolescence. His rise has been unusually rapid, marked not only by public attention but also by major awards recognition.

For his role in Adolescence, Cooper has already won Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Best Supporting Actor on Television at the Golden Globe Awards, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the Primetime Emmy Awards, and more.

That level of recognition gives Holland’s endorsement extra weight. His comment is not merely a celebrity compliment. It reflects the kind of qualities that have often mattered in Spider-Man casting: youth, emotional range, vulnerability, and the ability to hold attention in stories that balance spectacle with deeply personal stakes.

From Adolescence to the Spider-Man Conversation

Cooper’s breakout role in Adolescence is far removed from the colorful escapism of Spider-Man, but it may be exactly the kind of performance that explains why Holland sees potential in him.

In the Netflix series, which is shot entirely in a single, continuous shot, Cooper plays 13-year-old Jamie Miller, a boy accused of killing his female classmate. The story follows investigators as they explore the “manosphere” while trying to understand what led him to commit murder.

The 2025 show was inspired by the real-life knife violence epidemic in the United Kingdom. In England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics reported that the number of knife attacks has nearly doubled over the past decade.

It is a demanding role for any actor, let alone one still in his teens. Cooper’s performance required restraint, psychological complexity, and the ability to carry emotionally charged material without relying on traditional editing rhythms. That kind of pressure is different from leading a superhero blockbuster, but it reveals a level of maturity that would be essential for any actor inheriting Spider-Man.

Spider-Man has always depended on more than action sequences. The character works because Peter Parker is overwhelmed, conflicted, funny, anxious, and deeply human. A performer must convince audiences that the person behind the mask matters as much as the hero swinging across the skyline. Holland’s praise suggests he sees that potential in Cooper.

The British Spider-Man Line Continues?

Holland also indicated that he would like another British actor to take on the role of Spider-Man next. That detail may sound small, but it reflects an interesting pattern in modern superhero casting.

Although Peter Parker is one of the most iconic New York characters in popular culture, British actors have played major roles in shaping recent screen versions of Spider-Man. Holland himself followed Andrew Garfield, another British actor who previously portrayed the hero on the big screen.

A future Spider-Man played by Cooper would continue that unexpected tradition: British performers bringing one of America’s most recognizable comic-book heroes to global audiences.

However, Holland’s comment should be understood as a preference rather than a formal casting development. There is no indication in the provided information that Cooper has been cast as Spider-Man or that Marvel has selected a successor. At this stage, Holland is simply naming a young actor he admires and imagining how the franchise might evolve in the future.

What Holland’s Mentor Ambition Says About His Spider-Man Legacy

The most revealing part of Holland’s remarks may not be his choice of Cooper, but his desire to mentor the next actor.

Holland entered the MCU at a young age and quickly found himself sharing scenes with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Downey’s Iron Man functioned as a mentor to Peter Parker on screen, but Holland has now made clear that Downey also played an important role for him personally during his first three Marvel films.

That experience appears to have shaped Holland’s understanding of what a successful handoff should look like. A new Spider-Man would not simply need a costume, a script, and a publicity campaign. The actor would need support in handling fame, fan expectations, franchise pressure, and the emotional weight of following a beloved interpretation.

By saying he would “love” to be that person, Holland is positioning himself as a bridge between eras. He is not rejecting Spider-Man or distancing himself from the role. Instead, he is speaking like someone who understands that the character will eventually outlive any single actor — and that the healthiest transition would involve care rather than competition.

Owen Cooper’s Career Is Already Expanding

Even without any connection to Spider-Man, Cooper’s career is moving quickly.

Following his performance in Adolescence, he went on to star as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights and in the BBC series Film Club. He is also set to appear in Cry to Heaven opposite Nicholas Hoult, Adele, Colin Firth, Lux Pascal, and more.

The upcoming 2027 film is an adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel of the same name.

That growing résumé suggests Cooper is already being positioned for a major international career. A superhero role would be a dramatic next step, but not an unimaginable one. If anything, Holland’s endorsement may intensify attention around Cooper’s future casting possibilities, especially among fans already speculating about the next phase of Spider-Man.

What This Means for Spider-Man Fans

For fans, Holland’s comments will likely spark debate for several reasons.

First, many viewers are still emotionally attached to Holland’s version of Peter Parker. His Spider-Man has been central to Marvel’s modern era, and talk of a successor naturally raises questions about how long he intends to continue.

Second, Cooper represents a very different kind of rising star. He is not yet a conventional blockbuster lead. His reputation has been built through intense dramatic work, awards momentum, and a breakout performance in a serious limited series. That could make him an intriguing choice for a future Spider-Man — especially if Marvel wanted to emphasize a younger, more emotionally raw version of the character.

Third, Holland’s remarks suggest that any future transition may be treated as a legacy moment rather than a simple recast. His desire to mentor the next actor gives the conversation a more personal dimension, connecting the franchise’s past, present, and possible future.

A Succession Idea, Not a Casting Announcement

It is important to separate excitement from confirmation. Holland has not announced that he is leaving Spider-Man. Cooper has not been announced as his replacement. Marvel has not officially named a new Spider-Man.

What Holland has done is open the door to a fascinating possibility: a future in which he helps guide the next actor the same way Robert Downey Jr. guided him.

That possibility matters because Spider-Man is bigger than one film cycle. The character has already been reinterpreted across generations, and each version reflects the actor, the era, and the audience it serves. Holland’s willingness to think about that future shows an unusual awareness of legacy for a star still closely associated with the role.

Conclusion: Holland’s Spider-Man Future Is About More Than the Suit

Tom Holland’s suggestion that Owen Cooper would be “awesome” as a future Spider-Man is likely to energize fan speculation, but the deeper story is about stewardship.

Holland is not simply naming a successor. He is imagining a transition built on mentorship, gratitude, and continuity. His reference to Robert Downey Jr. shows how much his own early MCU experience shaped him, while his praise for Cooper highlights the kind of young talent he believes could carry the role forward one day.

For now, Holland remains closely linked to Spider-Man, and Cooper remains one of the industry’s fastest-rising young actors. But if the web-slinger’s future eventually points toward a new face, Holland has already made one thing clear: he wants the next Spider-Man to have someone in his corner.