Tom Holland Has Already Chosen His Ideal Successor as Spider-Man

Tom Holland has revealed who he believes could one day take over the role of Spider-Man, the character that has defined much of his career and turned him into one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars.

For decades, Spider-Man has stood apart from many other Marvel superheroes because Peter Parker’s story begins while he is still a high school student. As a result, the role has traditionally been associated with younger actors capable of portraying both teenage vulnerability and heroic responsibility. Although Holland has previously made it clear that he is not ready to leave the character behind, he recently shared his thoughts on who might be a worthy successor. Speaking in an earlier interview, the actor said: “I would love to pass the baton on, but I haven’t achieved that yet … I think the truth is that playing Spider-Man has been the joy of my life. I now kind of stand on the plinth of like, I’ll do it for as long as they’ll have me.”

Still, when asked who he would cast as the next Spider-Man if the time ever came, Holland did not hesitate. “Owen Cooper would be awesome,” he told Esquire UK. “Obviously, he’s super-talented and he’s the talk of the town right now.” The endorsement immediately drew attention, particularly given Cooper’s rapid rise in the entertainment industry. The young British actor became one of television’s breakout stars thanks to Netflix’s Adolescence, where he delivered a widely acclaimed performance as Jamie Miller. Despite it being one of his first major screen roles, Cooper earned praise from critics and audiences alike, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents in the United Kingdom.

His performance led to an extraordinary awards run, including victories at the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the BAFTA Television Awards. Such recognition has placed him firmly among the most talked-about young actors of his generation. Interestingly, Cooper has previously cited Tom Holland as one of the reasons he became interested in acting. He was inspired by Holland’s performance in The Impossible, the 2012 disaster drama that first brought the future Spider-Man star international recognition.

Holland, the journey from child performer to global superstar has been remarkable. Born in London, he began his career on the West End stage in Billy Elliot the Musical before making a successful transition to film. His breakthrough came with The Impossible, but it was his casting as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming that transformed him into a worldwide sensation. Over the years, Holland has become one of the central faces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe through films such as Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Beyond Marvel, he has also sought to expand his range with projects including Cherry, Uncharted and The Crowded Room, demonstrating a desire to move beyond the superhero genre.

His personal life has attracted almost as much attention as his career. Holland’s relationship with actress Zendaya, whom he met while working on Spider-Man: Homecoming, has become one of Hollywood’s most closely followed romances. The couple have generally kept their relationship private, preferring to stay out of the spotlight whenever possible. Recent reports have also confirmed that the pair are now married, marking a new chapter in their lives together. Away from the cameras, Holland has also spoken openly about the importance of maintaining his mental health and finding balance amid the pressures of global fame.

As discussions continue about the future of Spider-Man, Holland remains committed to the role that changed his life. Yet his praise for Owen Cooper suggests he is already paying close attention to the next generation of performers. From a teenager inspired by Tom Holland’s work to a rising star now being mentioned as a potential Spider-Man successor, Owen Cooper’s story reflects how one generation of actors can inspire the next. Whether he ultimately wears the iconic suit remains to be seen, but Holland’s endorsement has only strengthened the belief that Cooper could become one of the defining talents of his era.