Zendaya Reveals She Still Quotes Robert Downey Jr.’s Improvised Line to Tease Tom Holland

Zendaya recently delighted fans by revealing that she still frequently uses one of Robert Downey Jr.’s improvised lines from Spider-Man: Homecoming in everyday life. During an interview with BBC Radio 1 alongside her Spider-Man: Brand New Day co-stars Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon, the actress shared that the quote has become part of her regular vocabulary—so much so that Holland immediately laughed and confirmed it.

Kicking off the conversation, Zendaya jokingly turned to Holland and said, “You’re gonna be like, ‘No, you don’t!’” before admitting, “I do the, ‘You really screwed the pooch on that one.’” Holland quickly agreed, replying, “Yeah, you do say that a lot.” Zendaya then explained why she enjoys using the phrase, adding, “I just think that’s so funny.”

The line Zendaya referenced comes from 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, when Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark uses the expression “screwed the pooch” to criticize Peter Parker after the young superhero repeatedly makes situations worse. Midway through the film, Tony tells Peter, “Previously on ‘Peter screws the pooch,’ I tell you to stay away from this,” after Peter compromises the investigation into Adrian Toomes, the villain portrayed by Michael Keaton. By the end of the movie, after reconciling with Peter, Tony repeats the expression, telling him, “You screwed the pooch hard, big time. But then you did the right thing.”

What makes the story even more interesting is that, according to Tom Holland, the memorable phrase was never part of the original script. Instead, it was improvised by Robert Downey Jr. during filming. Holland recalled, “Really interesting ad-lib, but it’s a great line, and it works in the movie.” He also remembered hearing the phrase for the very first time on set, saying, ”[It was] not written. I remember walking down the hallway on set, and he said that, and I was like, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’”

Both Zendaya and Jacob Batalon admitted they were equally confused by the expression when they first heard it. Laughing, Zendaya said, “I think that was just like—what? Such a random thing.” Batalon jokingly added, “That’s just a bad white guy thing to say.” Their playful exchange quickly became one of the most widely shared moments from the interview, highlighting the natural chemistry and close friendship the trio has built after nearly a decade working together on the Spider-Man franchise.

The interview also marked the reunion of Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Jacob Batalon ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, their first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance since Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. The three actors will once again reprise their beloved roles as Peter Parker, MJ, and Ned Leeds, reuniting after the emotional ending of the previous film, in which Peter chose to erase everyone’s memory of him in order to save the world.

For Zendaya, her journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been one of the defining chapters of her career. Introduced as Michelle “MJ” Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, she quickly won audiences over with her effortless performance and undeniable chemistry with Tom Holland. Across three Spider-Man films, MJ evolved into one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, helping establish Zendaya as one of Hollywood’s most influential young actresses.

Born in California in 1996, Zendaya first rose to fame as a Disney Channel star after beginning her career as a model and dancer. She later transitioned into more mature dramatic roles, proving her versatility as an actress. Alongside her success in Marvel, she earned widespread critical acclaim for portraying Rue Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria. Her powerful performance earned her multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, making her one of the youngest performers ever to achieve the honor.

Beyond acting, Zendaya has become a global fashion icon, serving as the face of several luxury brands and consistently earning praise for her red carpet appearances. Known for her versatile style and willingness to take fashion risks, she has become one of the industry’s most influential trendsetters. She has also used her platform to advocate for gender equality, racial justice, and greater diversity within the entertainment industry.

Zendaya’s personal life has remained a constant source of public interest. After years of dating rumors, she and Tom Holland eventually confirmed their relationship, becoming one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples. Although both stars are known for protecting their privacy and rarely discussing their romance in detail, they frequently support one another’s careers and occasionally appear together at major public events. Their relationship, which began after years of working together on the Spider-Man films, continues to attract attention from fans around the world.

Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. remains widely recognized as one of the architects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe through his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man. Beyond his on-screen performances, he has earned a reputation among fellow actors for his improvisational skills and his ability to bring spontaneous moments to life during filming. His now-famous “screwed the pooch” line from Spider-Man: Homecoming serves as a perfect example of that creativity—an improvised phrase that not only became a memorable part of the film but also, years later, remains a favorite quote that Zendaya still uses in everyday conversation.

Zendaya’s revelation offers fans a charming glimpse into the friendships formed behind the scenes of the Marvel franchise. It also serves as a reminder that some of the smallest, most unexpected moments on a movie set can become lasting memories, continuing to resonate with both the actors and audiences long after filming has wrapped.