Tom Holland may be the face of Spider-Man for a new generation, but the British actor says one Marvel legend helped shape both his career and his approach to Hollywood.
During a stop in Amsterdam promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Holland and Zendaya sat down with NandoLeaks: Real Talk International for a fun and candid interview that quickly turned heartfelt when the conversation turned to Robert Downey Jr.
Asked about the impact the Iron Man star had on him, Holland didn't hesitate.
According to Holland, Downey became someone he could always lean on as he navigated the pressures of suddenly becoming one of Marvel's biggest stars.
"He was someone that I could always rely on," Holland explained, adding that Downey had already experienced many of the same challenges earlier in his own career and generously shared advice about the "dos and don'ts" of life in Hollywood.
But it wasn't just the conversations that left an impression.
Holland said some of his biggest lessons came simply from watching Downey work.
He praised the Oscar-winning actor for treating every crew member with respect, always arriving prepared, taking creative risks, and never being afraid to try something unexpected on set-even when it didn't work.
Those qualities, Holland said, have stayed with him throughout his own career, and he still considers Downey a trusted friend he can call whenever he needs guidance.
The admiration goes even deeper.
When asked to name his favorite Marvel superhero besides Spider-Man, Holland immediately chose Iron Man, admitting he idolized both the character and the actor behind the armor.
"I was super into Iron Man as a kid," Holland said. "I just thought Robert Downey Jr. was really cool."
Zendaya chimed in with her own Marvel favorites, naming Thor and praising Chris Hemsworth, while also giving a shout-out to Mark Ruffalo.
Elsewhere in the interview, Holland described Spider-Man: Brand New Day as the franchise's most mature installment yet.
While promising the blockbuster still delivers the large-scale action Marvel fans expect, he said the new film is also the most emotional and personal Spider-Man story he and the cast have made so far.
Zendaya also reflected on what has made her version of MJ resonate with audiences over the years, saying the character's quirky personality and dry humor are ultimately what Peter Parker falls in love with. She added that Peter brings out a softer, warmer side of MJ, making their relationship one of the emotional anchors of the franchise.
Nearly a decade after first stepping into Peter Parker's shoes, Holland's comments make one thing clear: even after becoming Marvel's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, he's never forgotten the superhero-or the mentor-who inspired him first.
