Tom Holland Says MCU’s Spider-Man Isn’t Burdened By Being A Hero

It’s safe to say that Spider-Man: Homecoming – the web slinger’s first film inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe – will be compared to the in-universe solo films that came before it.

But the film is also sure to be paralleled to the five previous Spider-Man films, which saw Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield taking on the role of Peter Parker.

According to Homecoming‘s lead, Tom Holland, the film sets itself apart from its predecessors in several ways – including how the titular hero deals with his powers. While speaking to THR, Holland revealed that his approach to the character has focused more on his youthful sensibilities, and less of feel weighed down by the responsibility of his newfound powers.

“I felt very strongly about the question about what would happen if you gave a 15-year-old superpowers.” Holland explained. “I think the answer would be he would have the time of his life. Yes, he would probably stop crime, but have so much fun doing it. We really tried to convey that he’s enjoying his superpowers. More often than not in superhero movies, the powers are a burden to the superhero but in our case, they’re the complete opposite.”

It’s safe to say that Maguire and Garfield’s Spider-Man films didn’t play this card, instead emphasizing the weight of the world – as well as, essentially, a separate cinematic universe – on the hero’s shoulders. But with Holland’s version of the character able to exist amongst the hero-filled MCU, it sounds like the focus will be – at least for Homecoming – on the ‘friendly neighborhood’ guardian side of the iconic hero.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is in theaters July 7.

Are you excited for Spidey to get his first feature film in the MCU? Let us know with your vote in our Anticipation Rankings below!

MORE SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING NEWS: Watch The Full Spider-Man: Homecoming New York Press Conference / Spider-Man: Homecoming Producers Perfectly Address Film’s Diverse Casting / Tom Holland Wants To Adapt Spider-Man’s Clone Saga

A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

The cast includes Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, with Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. It also includes Jon Favreau, Martin Starr, Kenneth Choi, Michael Mando, Selenis Leyva, Isabella Amara, Jorge Lendeborg, Jr., JJ Totah, and Hannibal Buress.