Tom Holland wants Marvel to reinvent Spider-Man with an Odyssey-style saga

If you ever wondered what Tom Holland really thinks could shake up Spider-Man on the big screen, here’s a bit of insight from the man himself. Holland’s just been doing the round of interviews for 'The Odyssey', Christopher Nolan’s latest film, and it turns out he reckons Marvel could pick up a few tricks from Nolan’s playbook—especially when it comes to making things look and feel a tad more real in Spidey’s world.

Nolan, Spider-Man, and Holland’s 'Practical Magic'

Speaking at a press event in London for 'The Odyssey', Holland leaned in to praise Christopher Nolan’s relentless drive for practical effects and genuine, in-camera stunts. And he’s not just waving the flag—Holland’s been right in the middle of it, playing Telemachus (Odysseus’s son, for those of us a bit rusty on Greek classics) under Nolan’s famously hands-on direction.

Holland said:

'[Christopher Nolan]'s desire to be practical and to keep things in camera creates an atmosphere on-set which really inspires people to be creative and think outside the box. There are things I saw on this movie which I’ve never seen before, and they’re very simple. It just requires forward thinking and planning.'

The key point here? Holland thinks the practical approach he’s just experienced could—no, should—be filtered into future Spider-Man films. He put it pretty plainly:

'I come from the kind of superhero space, which I absolutely adore. I love playing [Spider-Man]. I think there are things that we could do in the future that can improve those movies by being more practical and finding ways to make people believe that what they’re watching is real.'

‘Brand New Day’ Gets a Bit of Old School

It’s not just talk. Holland let slip that some of this practical spirit has already wormed its way into his upcoming film, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. Marvel’s apparently put more effort into real suits and actual stunts this time round, as opposed to going full blue-screen. In his words:

'We’ve made a real suit, and we did real stunts, stuff like that. I think that lots of people can learn from what Chris is able to do.'

The Timeline: When Are These Films Hitting Cinemas?

• 'The Odyssey': Out in UK cinemas on 17 July 2026. Holland’s playing Telemachus, Matt Damon’s leading as Odysseus, and from all accounts Nolan’s given the old myth a practical, big-budget overhaul.
• 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day': Swings in literally a fortnight later, on 31 July 2026. Holland’s back in the Spidey suit, now with a bit more real-world grit apparently stitched in.

Holland’s enthusiasm is pretty telling—not just about what Nolan’s brought to the table with 'The Odyssey', but about where superhero films in general could be heading if studios finally stop relying solely on CGI and green screens. For fans who’ve grown weary of glossy, weightless action, the idea that Marvel might up its practical game is certainly one to watch.