Tom Holland is thinking about life after Spider-Man, and he already has a name in mind.
In a new Esquire UK cover interview, Holland was asked who he’d like to see take over the role whenever his run as Peter Parker ends, and he didn’t hesitate: Owen Cooper.
“Owen Cooper would be awesome,” Holland said of the 16-year-old Adolescence breakout, calling him “super-talented and the talk of the town right now.” Holland added that the role could be a great springboard for a fresh face — the same way it was for him.
Why Owen Cooper
Cooper became one of the most talked-about young actors of the past year thanks to his star-making turn in Netflix’s acclaimed limited series Adolescence.
At 16, he’d fit the brief for a younger, high-school-age Peter Parker, exactly the kind of fresh start Marvel and Sony would likely want whenever they reboot or recast the character down the line.
It’s worth stressing this is Holland offering a personal pick, not any kind of official casting news.
There’s no indication Cooper is in talks, and Holland isn’t a decision-maker on who follows him. But coming from the actor who’s defined the role for nearly a decade, the endorsement carries weight.
Holland Has Been Teasing This “Passing The Baton” Idea
Naming Cooper is the most specific Holland has gotten, but the underlying idea isn’t new.
He recently walked back his old “done something wrong” exit quote, clarifying that his point was about wanting to “pass the baton” and help set up the future of Spider-Man rather than quitting outright.
He’s said he’d love to help establish whoever comes next — whether that’s Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, or another version of the character.
The Owen Cooper endorsement is that same idea getting a face.
Holland has consistently framed his future with the franchise around mentorship rather than a clean exit, and in the Esquire interview, he made the comparison explicit: “In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next.”
He’s also said he’d like to stay involved as a producer, though he admitted it’s “pretty tough to get a producing credit on future movies.”
Not Going Anywhere Yet
To be clear, Holland isn’t hanging up the suit anytime soon.
He’s front and center in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which he’s called “the best Spider-Man movie we’ve ever made,” and the franchise shows no sign of moving on from him.
But after four films, it’s natural that the conversation around an eventual successor is starting, and Holland, for one, already has a favorite.
For everything we know about the movie — cast, villains, plot leaks, and release details — check our Spider-Man: Brand New Day guide. Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters July 31, 2026.
