Tom Holland ‘Actively Engaging’ in ‘Spider-Man 4’ Talks

He stresses that he won’t simply make the movie just to make it and wants to ensure the story is right for the character.

(Left) Tom Holland excepting the EE Rising Star award at the 2017 BAFTA Film Awards. (Right) Tom Holland in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming.'

Preview:

Tom Holland has updated fans on the status of the fourth ‘Spider-Man’ film.
He says it’ll have to work for the character.
No director is attached to make it right now.

Tom Holland became a firm fan favorite when he debuted as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in ‘Captain America: Civil War’, signaling that Marvel Studios finally, truly had the rights to use one of the comics company’s most famous characters.

Across his own trilogy (‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’) and crossovers such as ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, he more than delivered on the promise of a great take on the web-slinger.

Naturally, there has been plenty of speculation on when –– and even whether –– he might return to the role, given that it has been two years since ‘No Way Home’ heralded audiences returning to theaters in droves after the worst of the pandemic.

And since that movie –– which saw previous movie Spider-actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return to the iconic role –– left the MCU’s world with no knowledge of who Peter Parker is, there was concern that Holland could be done with the role.

Now, though, during a new Critics Choice Association press conference, Holland has offered an update.

Spider-Man 4

Not Yet Rated

The next installment of the MCU Spider-Man franchise: a sequel to "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and the first in a possible new trilogy. Plot unknown. Read the Plot

What did Tom Holland say about returning to the world of ‘Spider-Man’?

Tom Holland as Spider-Man in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.'

This is what Holland had to say:

“All I can say is that we have been actively engaging in conversations about what it could potentially look like for a fourth rendition of my character Whether or not we can find a way to do justice to the character is another thing. I feel very protective over Spider-Man. I feel very, very lucky that we were able to work on a franchise that got better with each movie, that got more successful with each movie, which I think is really rare, and I want to protect his legacy. So, I won’t make another one for the sake of making another one. It will have to be worth the while of the character.”

Is a fourth ‘Spider-Man’ really in development?

Zendaya and Tom Holland in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' Photo: Marvel Studios.

Here’s what Marvel boss Kevin Feige said to Entertainment Weekly in February about work on the film to date:

“All I will say is that we have the story. “We have big ideas for that, and our writers are just putting pen to paper now.”

The forward motion on the film was naturally paused when the writers’ strike hit, but it would seem the Marvel team is back at it.

When will a fourth ‘Spider-Man’ movie be in theaters?

(L to R) Director Jon Watts and Tom Holland on the set of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming.'

That’s the biggest question right now –– even given the fact that Sony releases the Spidey movies, there’s the MCU chronology to consider, and Marvel’s slots are full for the next couple of years given the schedule shake-up after the actors’ strikes.

And even if Spidey trilogy director Jon Watts returns (he’s said he was ready to take a break from superheroes and has been working on ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Skeleton Crew’) and it gets going quickly, it could be at least a couple of years until Spider-Man swings back on our screens.