British actor Tom Holland has offered a candid insight into the pressures of Hollywood promotion, admitting that he has previously had to feign enthusiasm for films he secretly deemed to be 'shit'. The Spider-Man star made the revelation during a recent appearance on the Dish Podcast, hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, where he discussed the often-challenging nature of press tours.
Holland, who is currently embarking on a significant promotional push for two major summer blockbusters, 'The Odyssey' and 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', expressed his current enjoyment of the process. He explained that promoting projects he genuinely believes in makes the experience far easier, as he can honestly tell audiences why they should see the film. However, he contrasted this with past experiences where, internally, he felt audiences 'shouldn't' bother watching.
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' is set to swing into UK cinemas this Wednesday, 29th July, just weeks after the release of 'The Odyssey'. The latter has already seen considerable success, reportedly achieving the biggest opening for a live-action film in 2026 and garnering a positive reception from Greek audiences. Holland described his current run of projects as 'a bit of a victory lap', highlighting his immense pride in both films.
Looking ahead, Holland also shared details about his next major role: a biopic of the legendary dancer Fred Astaire. Speaking on Good Morning America, he revealed his ambitious plan to perform all the intricate dance sequences himself. The film, directed by Paul King, known for his work on 'Paddington' and 'Wonka', is currently in pre-production, with Holland already commencing dance rehearsals. Given his background as the original star of the West End's 'Billy Elliot the Musical', Holland is no stranger to demanding choreography.
His dedication to authenticity for the Astaire role is clear, with Holland stating his desire to use no doubles and to shoot the dances in single takes, mirroring Astaire's iconic style. This commitment underscores a significant undertaking for the actor, who admitted the initial rehearsals filled him with both excitement and 'absolute dread' due to the extensive work required to do Astaire justice. British audiences will be keen to see how Holland, a BAFTA Rising Star award winner, tackles this iconic role.