Within the thirteenth century, a bunch of monks and warriors launched into a quest to guard a holy relic. Amongst these courageous souls have been two soon-to-be-famous actors—Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland—filming an underrated, badass flick titled Pilgrimage. However these two actors would quickly be embarking on a pilgrimage of their very own… to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (again when it was, like, the best factor ever).
Whereas working collectively, they fashioned a bond—a friendship that may quickly result in each males serving to one another with life-changing auditions: The Punisher and Spider-Man. That’s proper—The Punisher himself shot Tom Holland’s audition tape and even prompt that Tom flip into body.
Tom feared coming off as a show-off, however our trusted Bernthal satisfied him that’s precisely what he wanted to be. Mr. Future Punisher advised Mr. Future Spider-Man to point out off these spider expertise—and so he did.
He flipped his physique, his profession, and perhaps even the film trade itself. Metaphorically, emotionally—actually. It was an ideal flip, carried out with the grace of somebody who’d been coaching his complete life for that precise second.
However behind the flips, wires, and flawless superhero swagger lies a reality each stunt performer is aware of all too nicely: gravity at all times wins in the long run. And just lately, even Spider-Man couldn’t escape it.
SPIDER BALLET
He studied ballet, faucet, and gymnastics—expertise that landed him his first main position as Billy Elliot in London’s West Finish. This younger lad mastered the artwork of storytelling via motion, dance… or no matter.
You may even see early sparks of a spider throughout a fast montage in The Not possible—watch as little Tommy Boy flips away on the seashore.
When Marvel started trying to find a brand new Spider-Man in 2015—somebody youthful, funnier, brisker, extra bodily—Tom was a shoo-in. He might ship the strains and stick the touchdown, shifting his Billy Elliot physique like a comic book ebook drawing come to life.
From that second on, he was Spider-Man.
THE STUNTMAN SUPERSTAR
On set, he insists on doing his personal stunts—as a result of he can. Spinning, swinging, flipping, tumbling, crashing. He educated with Olympic coaches, mastered wire work, and constructed his stamina till he might leap off buildings prefer it was recess.
In an period the place superheroes are principally digital, Holland introduced motion again to Marvel. He carried out numerous sensible stunts in Homecoming, Far From Residence, and No Manner Residence—usually in opposition to the desires of the security crew.
Casting Tom was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the studio cherished that he might flip round with one of the best of them—however additionally they knew the dangers of getting their star actually flying via the air.
His background in gymnastics wasn’t only a ability—it was a philosophy.
Rumor has it he as soon as joked, “If I can do the stunt myself, I will. That’s what Spider-Man would do.”
However that fearless mindset comes with a value.
GRAVITY VS. REALITY
In September 2025, manufacturing on Spider-Man: Model New Day got here to a sudden cease. Whereas filming a posh aerial stunt, Holland misjudged a touchdown and hit the mat onerous.
Early experiences claimed the film star had cracked his cranium and was clinging to life as he was rushed to the hospital. Later experiences toned it down, saying Holland solely suffered a light concussion. However the harm—regardless of how extreme—pressured Marvel and Sony to halt filming for a number of days.
The accident wasn’t catastrophic, but it surely was critical sufficient to remind everybody that even the world’s most agile actor isn’t invincible. It reminded many people of the accidents suffered throughout that cursed Spider-Man musical.
The query was: would this Itsy Bitsy Spider climb again up the spout?
Crew members stated he laughed it off, however trusted Hollywood insiders revealed he took the harm as a wake-up name. Had Tom Holland flown too near the solar?
It wasn’t his first on-set harm both. Through the years, Holland has walked away from sprains, bruises, and cracked ribs—souvenirs from attempting to make fantasy look actual.
It’s the paradox of his profession: the identical physicality that made him well-known can also be what places him in danger. Jogs my memory of how The Mummy stunts tousled Brendan Fraser.
GREAT POWER, GREAT RESPONSIBILITY
There’s a lesson in Tom Holland’s story—one which echoes via each superhero film, each wire rig, each fall. Energy isn’t nearly power. It’s about management… and accountability, you can say.
What makes Holland particular isn’t simply his acrobatics—it’s that he appears like an actual child caught between gravity and greatness. You imagine he might get harm… as a result of generally, he does.
That vulnerability—on display and off—is what separates him from the opposite Spider-Males (who’re all super-duper particular in their very own super-duper particular methods).
Each bruise is a reminder that the web-slinger isn’t superhuman. He’s human.
And that’s what makes him tremendous.
Tom Holland’s journey is a leap of religion—one which retains defying gravity, even when it hurts. He didn’t get right here by chance. He obtained right here by working onerous, falling, getting up, and flipping once more.
As a result of for each child who desires of being Spider-Man, Tom Holland proves that generally—with sufficient coronary heart, humor, and slightly gymnastic grace—you actually can stick the touchdown.
