The question of who will become the next Spider-Man has a surprising new voice weighing in: Tom Holland himself. The actor who has defined the web-slinger for nearly a decade is already thinking ahead to who might inherit the iconic role, and he’s not just open to the idea of a successor. He wants to play a hands-on part in shaping that person’s journey, much like a Marvel legend once did for him.

Looking Toward the Future

Holland, 30, has worn the Spider-Man suit since 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But in a recent interview with Esquire, he turned his attention to what comes after his own run.

When the conversation shifted to his future with Marvel’s Avengers, Holland was candid about the realities of the business. He acknowledged that landing a producing credit on future films is no easy feat. Still, that hasn’t dampened his desire to stay involved in a different way: by guiding whoever steps into the role next.

A Mentor Inspired by a Mentor

What makes Holland’s vision especially heartfelt is its roots in his own experience. He pointed to the relationship he shared with Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in the MCU and served as a guiding figure during Holland’s earliest films.

Holland expressed a genuine wish to pay that influence forward. He explained that just as Downey was such a meaningful mentor to him across his first three movies, he would love to become that same kind of presence for the next actor to take on Spider-Man. It’s a sentiment that frames the franchise not just as a series of films, but as a kind of lineage, where one generation helps lift up the next.

Holland’s Pick for the Role

Holland didn’t stop at expressing his hopes in the abstract. He went ahead and named the young actor he believes would be perfect for the part: Owen Cooper, the breakout star of the acclaimed series Adolescence.

His endorsement was enthusiastic and direct. Holland called Cooper an awesome choice, praising his obvious talent and noting that the young actor is very much the talk of the industry at the moment. Coming from the person who currently embodies Spider-Man, that’s no small vote of confidence.

Who Is Owen Cooper?

At just 16 years old, Owen Cooper has already assembled an impressive résumé that helps explain Holland’s excitement.

Cooper’s work in Netflix’s Adolescence earned him a string of major honors, including Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Best Supporting Actor on Television at the Golden Globes, and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the Primetime Emmys, among others. That kind of recognition at such a young age signals a performer with rare ability.

The Role That Made Him a Star

The series that launched Cooper into the spotlight is as ambitious as his performance within it.

Adolescence is shot entirely in a single, continuous take, a technically daring approach that heightens its tension. In the show, Cooper plays 13-year-old Jamie Miller, a boy accused of killing a female classmate. As the story unfolds, investigators delve into the so-called “manosphere” in an effort to understand what could have driven him to commit such an act.

The 2025 series carries real-world weight, drawing inspiration from the knife violence epidemic in the United Kingdom. According to figures cited from the Office for National Statistics, the number of knife attacks in England and Wales has nearly doubled over the past decade, lending the drama a sobering relevance beyond its fictional storyline.

A Rising Career Beyond Adolescence

Cooper hasn’t slowed down since his breakout. He went on to portray a young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights and appeared in the BBC series Film Club.

His momentum shows no signs of fading. Cooper is set to star in Cry to Heaven alongside an eye-catching ensemble that includes Nicholas Hoult, Adele, Colin Firth, and Lux Pascal. That upcoming 2027 film adapts Anne Rice’s 1982 novel of the same name, further cementing Cooper as one of the most sought-after young talents around.

The Bigger Picture

Holland’s comments offer a glimpse into how thoughtfully he views his place in the Spider-Man legacy. Rather than clinging to the role or treating its eventual handoff as a loss, he seems to embrace the idea of continuity, of nurturing the next person to carry the mantle.

Whether or not Owen Cooper ultimately ends up in the suit, the spirit behind Holland’s words resonates. It reflects a generosity he absorbed from his own mentor and a recognition that great franchises endure precisely because their stars are willing to lift up those who follow. For now, it remains a hopeful musing rather than an official announcement, but it’s a touching reminder that even superheroes know when to start thinking about who comes next.