Is Tom Holland preparing to leave Spider-Man? Why Owen Cooper fits as next 'Spidey'

Highlights:

• Tom Holland named Owen Cooper as a future Spider-Man candidate.
• The actor says he wants to mentor whoever takes over the role.
• Holland has previously discussed passing the baton to a new generation.
• Owen Cooper became a breakout star through Netflix's Adolescence.
• Holland also confirmed his marriage to longtime partner Zendaya.

Tom Holland may be preparing for another Spider-Man adventure with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but his latest comments have reignited questions about how much longer he plans to wear the iconic suit.

In a recent interview, Holland was asked who he would like to see take over the role of Spider-Man in the future. His answer came quickly.

“Owen Cooper would be awesome.”

“Obviously, he’s super-talented and he’s the talk of the town right now.”

The endorsement immediately caught fans' attention. Cooper, just 16 years old, became one of Britain's biggest young acting stars after his acclaimed performance in Netflix's Adolescence. His rapid rise has drawn comparisons to Holland's own journey from young performer to global superstar.

While Holland is not officially leaving the franchise, his comments add to a growing pattern. Over the past year, the actor has repeatedly spoken about eventually handing Spider-Man over to a younger generation.

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Last month, he suggested that the next chapter of the franchise might not even revolve around Peter Parker.

“For whoever's next, whether that is a Miles Morales or a Spider-Gwen or a Spider-Woman or something like that, I would love to be a part of setting up the next chapter.”

The statement reflects a shift in how Holland views his future with Marvel. Rather than simply stepping away, he appears interested in helping shape the transition, much like Robert Downey Jr. did when Holland first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Thinking about those early years, Holland explained why mentorship matters to him.

“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.”

That does not mean his exit is imminent. Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives next month and many industry observers believe the film could launch another trilogy featuring Holland's Peter Parker.

Still, the actor has previously admitted that he does not want to play Spider-Man forever. Years ago, he famously said that if he was still playing the character after turning 30, something had gone wrong. Now 30 himself, Holland has softened that stance, joking that perhaps the deadline should be pushed to 37.

(L-R) Tom Holland and Zendaya attend the "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" photocall at Four Seasons Hotel on June 15, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

Away from Marvel, Holland's personal life is also entering a new chapter. In the same interview, he confirmed his marriage to longtime partner and Spider-Man co-star Zendaya. Although he declined to discuss details, the confirmation ended months of speculation surrounding the couple.

Taken together, the comments paint a picture of an actor balancing two realities. On one hand, he remains the face of one of Hollywood's biggest superhero franchises. On the other, he is increasingly thinking about legacy, mentorship, and what Spider-Man will look like after his era eventually comes to an end.

Whether that future includes Owen Cooper remains unknown. But Holland's endorsement has already given fans plenty to talk about.