.jpeg "Tom Holland Names Adolescence Star Owen Cooper as His Dream Spider-Man Successor")
In a recent interview with Esquire UK, Holland praised rising British actor Owen Cooper and suggested that he could one day take over the iconic role of Spider-Man.
“Owen Cooper would be awesome,” Holland said. “Obviously, he's super-talented and the talk of the town right now.”
The endorsement immediately attracted attention across both the Marvel fandom and the entertainment industry. Cooper has become one of the most celebrated young actors in the world following his breakout performance in Netflix's acclaimed crime drama Adolescence.
Tom Holland Thinking About Spider-Man's Future
Although Holland is still starring as Peter Parker, his recent comments suggest he has begun considering what comes next for the franchise.
The actor revealed that he hopes to remain involved with Spider-Man even after stepping away from the role. Inspired by the guidance he received from Robert Downey Jr. during his early years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Holland would like to mentor the next generation of Spider-Man actors.
“In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next,” Holland explained.
He acknowledged that securing a producing role on future Spider-Man projects may not be easy, but he remains interested in helping shape the character's future.
Speaking previously with Empire, Holland expanded on that idea.
“For whoever's next, whether that is a Miles Morales or a Spider-Gwen or a Spider-Woman or something like that, I would love to be a part of setting up the next chapter,” he said. “If I could do what Downey did for me, then I would be so content swinging off into the sunset.”
Who Is Owen Cooper?
Owen Patrick Cooper is one of the fastest-rising young stars in the entertainment industry.
Born on December 5, 2009, in Warrington, Cheshire, England, Cooper achieved international fame through his first professional acting role in Netflix's Adolescence.
In the series, he portrayed Jamie Miller, a teenage murder suspect whose emotional journey became one of the most talked-about television performances of the year. Critics praised Cooper's maturity, subtlety, and emotional control, especially remarkable considering it was his acting debut.
Early Life
Before acting entered his life, Cooper dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.
Raised in Orford, a suburb of Warrington, he played youth football for Warrington Rylands U15s. His father worked in information technology while his mother worked as a carer.
Ironically, the person who inspired Cooper to pursue acting was Tom Holland himself.
After watching Holland's performance in the 2012 disaster drama The Impossible, Cooper became interested in acting and began attending weekly classes at The Drama Mob in Manchester.
His life changed when the creators of Adolescence launched a search for unknown young actors from Northern England. Cooper submitted an audition tape and immediately impressed the production team.
Series co-creator Stephen Graham later said the young actor simply had a special quality that stood out from everyone else.
A Historic Awards Sweep
What followed was one of the most remarkable breakthrough years in recent television history.
Despite having no prior professional acting experience, Cooper dominated the 2025–2026 awards season.
His achievements included:
• Primetime Emmy Award (2025) – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
• Golden Globe Award (2026) – Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film
• BAFTA Television Award (2026) – Best Supporting Actor
• Screen Actors Guild Award (2026) – Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
• Critics Choice Television Award (2026) – Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries
Several of these victories made him the youngest winner ever in their respective categories.
Expanding Beyond Adolescence
Following the success of Adolescence, Cooper quickly became one of Hollywood's most sought-after young actors.
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Cooper made his feature film debut in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights, playing the young Heathcliff.
The film starred Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, with Elordi portraying the adult version of Heathcliff.
Film Club
He also joined the cast of the BBC Three comedy-drama Film Club, appearing alongside BAFTA-winning actress Aimee Lou Wood.
Cry to Heaven
Another major project on Cooper's growing résumé is Cry to Heaven, an eighteenth-century drama directed by fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. The project also stars Nicholas Hoult.
Industry Recognition
The entertainment industry has taken notice of Cooper's rapid rise.
He has been named one of Screen International's "Stars of Tomorrow" and earned a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe entertainment list.
Could Owen Cooper Really Become Spider-Man?
At the moment, there is no official indication that Marvel Studios or Sony Pictures are considering Cooper for the role.
However, Holland's endorsement carries weight.
Not only is Cooper a talented young British actor with demonstrated dramatic range, but he also fits the age profile Marvel could seek if the studio eventually decides to reboot Peter Parker with a younger actor.
Adding to the speculation, Cooper has publicly stated that playing Spider-Man would be his dream role.
While nothing has been announced, Holland's comments have inevitably fueled fan discussions about whether Cooper could someday wear the famous red-and-blue suit.
The Actors Who Have Played Spider-Man in the MCU
Spider-Man has been portrayed by several actors across Marvel's multiverse.
Tom Holland
Holland remains the primary Spider-Man of the MCU.
His appearances include:
• Captain America: Civil War (2016)
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
• Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
• Avengers: Endgame (2019)
• Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
• Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
Tobey Maguire
Originally starring in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, Maguire returned in Spider-Man: No Way Home as an older multiverse version of Peter Parker.
Andrew Garfield
Garfield also reprised his version of Spider-Man in No Way Home, joining Holland and Maguire in one of Marvel's biggest crossover events.
Hudson Thames
While not a live-action Spider-Man, Hudson Thames voices Peter Parker in Marvel's animated projects, including What If...? and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Is Spider-Man: Brand New Day Tom Holland's Final Spider-Man Movie?
Marvel and Sony have not officially confirmed that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be Holland's final Spider-Man film.
However, several factors have led fans to believe the end of his tenure may be approaching.
Producer Amy Pascal previously described the film as the beginning of a new trilogy focused on a more mature Peter Parker. At the same time, Holland has repeatedly discussed eventually passing the character on to a new generation.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton further fueled speculation by encouraging audiences to watch Brand New Day “as if it's the last Spider-Man.”
Many fans interpreted the statement as a hint that the movie could serve as a farewell chapter, though others viewed it as a way of emphasizing the film's importance.
Even if Brand New Day becomes Holland's final standalone Spider-Man movie, industry observers widely expect him to appear in future MCU crossover events such as Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Looking Ahead
For now, Tom Holland remains Spider-Man, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 31, 2026.
Still, Holland's comments provide a rare glimpse into how he views the future of the franchise. Rather than holding onto the role indefinitely, he appears focused on ensuring Spider-Man continues to thrive long after his own journey ends.
Whether the next web-slinger is Owen Cooper, Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, or an entirely different hero, Holland hopes to play a guiding role behind the scenes—just as Robert Downey Jr. once did for him.
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