Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has been on quite the journey throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans were first introduced to the character in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, and now, six appearances later, the world is watching the celebration of Spidey’s entire legacy in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The young kid first seen at the famous airport brawl has been through so much, and this latest journey provides the culmination of all those experiences.
The heart and soul of the Homecoming film series have been exploring the webhead as a high schooler—a kid burdened with great power and how he would deal with that while balancing his everyday life as a normal teenager. It’s given the MCU take on the character a unique flair.
With No Way Home, the character is officially growing rather forcefully out of that stage in his life.
The return of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and a botched spell from Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange cooked up a concoction that threw Peter Parker through the wringer. By the end of the film, everyone has forgotten his existence, and Peter is forced out into the real world without anyone by his side.
Tom Holland recently commented on this change for Peter and how it fundamentally changes the character.
From Spider-Boy to Spider-Man
In an interview with Sony Pictures Japan, Spider-Man: No Way Home star Tom Holland discussed his character’s journey in the film.
The actor noted how the MCU's Spider-Man movies have really “been [about] the Spider-Boy," appreciating that No Way Home finally evolves him into Spider-Man:
“It really has been the Spider-Boy, and this film is about him becoming Spider-Man. It’s about him growing up, making his own decisions, and stepping up to the plate as a full-blown Avenger. And it’s been really nice to have that dovetail between myself in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and now who I am and who Peter Parker is in Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Holland continued, driving home how No Way Home “is about [Peter Parker] stepping into bigger shoes and becoming an adult:”
“[Spider-Man: No Way Home] is definitely the final chapter in the Homecoming series. Jon Watts has done such a wonderful job of creating this genre of superhero movies that kinda hasn’t been told before. The superhero movie that’s about the kid… that is the small-town, really your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. This film is about him stepping into bigger shoes and becoming an adult and becoming Spider-Man.”
The Astonishing Adult Webhead
Fans are undoubtedly excited to see what comes next for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. At the end of the film, the table has been set for one of the most faithful renditions of Spidey to hit the big screen.
He’s also no longer in school and will, theoretically, have to learn how to juggle a job alongside his superhero duties. High school is one thing, but making a livable wage is something else entirely.
But who may cross his path next? Well, with J. Jonah Jameson hot on his trail, Mac Gargan’s Scorpion would make a lot of sense. Not only was the character introduced in Homecoming, but his creation is a result of Jameson’s bloodthirsty drive to catch the Spider.
Many fans would also love to see a mature story involving Kraven the Hunter. However, Sony is currently developing a solo movie for the villain, so the odds of him probably aren’t high.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is playing in theaters worldwide.
