Tom Holland Admits Some of His Past Films Are ‘S–t,’ Expresses Relief Over Current Projects
Tom Holland is known for his infectious enthusiasm, but the Marvel superstar recently shared a surprisingly candid look behind the curtain of Hollywood press tours. Speaking on the July 22 episode of the Dish Podcast, hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, Holland admitted that promoting movies he does not personally care for is a grueling task. The actor went as far as to confess that some of his past projects are "s–t" and advised audiences that they "shouldn't" watch them—a stark contrast to his current promotional runs, which he genuinely enjoys.
Holland explained that his experience promoting his upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated Marvel sequel Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the epic drama The Odyssey, has been entirely different because of his genuine pride in the material. According to Holland, when an actor is proud of the final product, the tedious cycle of international press junkets, repetitive interviews, and late-night talk-show appearances becomes a joy rather than a chore. His comments highlight the often-unspoken psychological toll on actors who are contractually obligated to praise films they suspect are critical or commercial misfires.
While Holland achieved global superstardom as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Peter Parker, his ventures outside of the superhero genre have met with varied success. Genre films like the troubled sci-fi thriller Chaos Walking (2021) and the gritty crime drama Cherry (2021) struggled to find favor with critics. Similarly, his 2023 Apple TV+ psychological thriller series The Crowded Room faced a harsh critical reception, despite Holland’s intense emotional commitment to the lead role. His latest remarks offer a retrospective look at the internal conflict of defending projects that ultimately failed to connect with audiences.
This level of transparency is characteristic of Holland, who has long been a fan favorite for his tendency to let slip accidental plot spoilers and offer unvarnished opinions in interviews. In an industry where talent is heavily coached by publicists to remain strictly on-message, Holland's willingness to critique his own filmography is a rarity. As he gears up for the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, his enthusiastic endorsement of the upcoming film carries genuine weight for fans, serving as a reassurance that his excitement this time around is entirely real.