Actor Tom Holland has offered a remarkably candid reflection on his career during a recent media appearance, admitting that promoting past film projects has not always felt completely authentic. Speaking on 27 July 2026, the 30-year-old Marvel star revealed that while promoting certain titles throughout his career, he secretly believed audiences should steer clear of them.
The British actor addressed the realities of junket circuits while discussing his current promotional campaign for two upcoming blockbuster releases. His comments have sparked widespread interest across the entertainment industry regarding actor honesty during press junkets.
Tom Holland reflects on past promotional tours
Appearing on the popular Dish podcast hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, the actor opened up about the stark difference between promoting projects he genuinely admires versus those he found underwhelming. He noted that answering promotional questions becomes effortless when a performer feels true pride in the final product.
“When you’re doing press for movies that you’re really proud of it’s really easy because when they ask you questions about why should people go and watch this movie, you’re not lying to anyone,” says Tom Holland, lead actor in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. “I’ve had experiences before when people say like, ‘Why should you see this movie?’ And in the back of your mind you’re like, ‘You shouldn’t. Because it’s shit.’”
Multiple major film roles span the actor’s decade-long career
While the actor did not specify which particular titles fell short of his standards, his filmography spans more than 15 feature films over the past decade. Alongside his leading performance as Peter Parker across 3 standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters, he has appeared in major ensemble features including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Beyond superhero franchises, his career includes varied roles in the 2020 Southern Gothic drama The Devil All the Time, the Russo brothers’ crime thriller Cherry, and the 2021 YA science-fiction adaptation Chaos Walking. Box office records show his films have collectively grossed over £7.5 billion globally.
Current press junkets feel like a victory lap for the British star
In contrast to earlier promotional experiences, Holland expressed immense satisfaction with his current slate of projects. The actor plays Telemachus, son of Odysseus, in Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, alongside preparing for the launch of his 4th standalone superhero entry, Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
“It’s felt really like a bit of a victory lap, to be honest,” says Tom Holland, actor and co-star in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. “And I’ve really enjoyed it. You know, I’m super proud of both of the films.”
Navigating celebrity commentary and public perception
It is important to note, however, that critical reception and personal artistic preferences within the film industry remain subjective. Audiences frequently evaluate cinematic works differently than the cast and crew involved in their creation, making individual viewing decisions a matter of personal taste.
