Three Little Words From Robert Downey Jr. Helped Swing In Tom Holland As MCU’s Spider-Man

With great power comes great responsibility, especially when playing the role of Spider-Man. Robert Downey Jr. admits that one of the biggest reasons he chose Tom Holland was because he had the stamina to take on such a demanding role — physically, mentally, and emotionally:

“Becoming Spider-Man is a bit like going down a K-hole: it’s easy to get lost in there. Add in the fact that you are worked relentlessly. It’s crazy. But Tom can handle it. I could tell. He’s a beekeeper … It’s not sexy. It’s hot under those damn suits. You can’t see us. We’re sweating to make the sweet, sweet syrupy nectar to be consumed for our leaders.”

These “leaders” are devoted Marvel fans with high expectations and an unbridled passion for comic book lore. There was one key moment during the audition process where Downey Jr. knew that Holland was the next web-slinger.

While testing for Spider-Man’s first scene in “Captian America: Civil War,” where Tony Stark surprises him at his tiny New York apartment, Downey Jr. changed the first line to see Holland’s response. “[T]he kid handled it. He was a seasoned, good presence. I could tell he had good kung fu; he could roll with the punches and keep it more than interesting,” Downey Jr. reflected in GQ. Holland’s quick reflexes helped him stand out from thousands of other young men who auditioned for the role.