Tom Holland is enjoying one of the biggest moments of his career, but aside from celebrating his latest successes, he has also looked back at the films he wishes had turned out differently. The actor admitted that promoting certain projects felt uncomfortable because he simply did not believe they deserved the praise he was expected to give.
Now starring in both Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Marvel's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Holland says this press tour has been completely different. For the first time in years, he feels he can speak honestly about his work because he genuinely believes audiences should see both films.
A Different Feeling This Time
Appearing on the Dish Podcast, Holland explained that promoting films becomes much easier when he truly believes in the finished product. Instead of searching for positive things to say, he now enjoys talking about projects that make him proud.
'I'm absolutely loving it', he said. 'When you're doing press for movies 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. You really think people should go see it.'
Movies He Did Not Believe In
Holland then shared a surprisingly blunt confession about earlier points in his career. He admitted there were times when interviewers asked him to encourage audiences to buy tickets, while privately he felt the complete opposite.
'I've had experiences before when people say, "Why should you see this movie?" And in the back of your mind, you're like, "You shouldn't, because it's shit,"' he admitted. Although he refused to reveal which films he was talking about, the remark quickly sparked speculation among fans.
Fans Started Guessing the Films
The actor deliberately avoided naming any titles, choosing instead to keep the focus on the experience rather than pointing fingers at individual projects. That decision has only fuelled curiosity, with many fans attempting to work out which films he may have been referring to.
Throughout his career, Holland has balanced blockbuster franchises with smaller dramas and action films that received mixed reactions from both critics and audiences. His refusal to identify the films means the debate is likely to continue among his supporters.
His Biggest Success Yet
The timing of Holland's comments is hardly a coincidence. He is currently promoting two of the biggest films of the year, both of which have been met with enormous excitement.
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has already passed £224 million ($300 million) at the global box office during its opening week. At the same time, Holland is preparing for the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, his fourth solo adventure as Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A Career High He Can Finally Enjoy
Looking back on his current success, Holland described the experience as feeling like a reward after years of ups and downs. He admitted that this press tour has been one of the most enjoyable of his career because he no longer feels the need to convince audiences to watch films he does not fully support.
'It's felt really like a bit of a victory lap to be honest', Holland said. 'I've really enjoyed it. I'm super proud of both of the films.' His honesty has offered fans a rare glimpse behind Hollywood's polished promotional machine, reminding audiences that even the biggest stars are not always convinced by every project they make.
Hollywood's Honest Reality
Holland's comments also highlight a side of filmmaking that audiences rarely get to hear about. Actors are expected to promote every release with enthusiasm, even when they may have doubts about the final product.
For Holland, that pressure has finally eased thanks to two films he genuinely believes deserve the spotlight.
His willingness to admit that some earlier projects left him feeling like he was 'lying' has made his latest interviews feel refreshingly honest, giving fans another reason to appreciate one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
