Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, has recently been added to the cast of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film following Oppenheimer. This development is set to influence the timelines for two eagerly awaited MCU projects: Spider-Man 4 and Avengers: Doomsday.
The upcoming Spider-Man 4 will continue the story after the box office success of No Way Home, which debuted nearly three years prior. No matter the release date for Spider-Man 4, it will establish a new record for the longest interval between Holland’s solo appearances in the MCU, as his previous films were spaced two years apart. Delays in scripting partly contributed to the wait, with Marvel Studios and Sony reportedly grappling over the narrative direction. Thankfully, Holland has reviewed the latest version of the Spider-Man 4 script and has given it his thumbs up, though he concedes that further refinements are still needed. In a similar vein, Avengers: Doomsday underwent significant adjustments after Marvel Studios retracted plans for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty due to the dismissal of Jonathan Majors from the role of Kang, following his conviction on two misdemeanor counts related to assault and harassment.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Holland will now have to “balance”his schedule for Nolans’s film alongside the production of Spider-Man 4 and Avengers: Doomsday, both slated to commence filming in 2025. While Holland’s return in Spider-Man 4 is expected, there are speculations about his pivotal role in Avengers: Doomsday, especially with Robert Downey Jr. being cast as Doctor Doom. Additionally, the postponements related to Spider-Man 4 have also affected the filming schedule for Dune 3, pushing Zendaya’s start date to early 2026 instead of the previous timeline set for next year.
Specific details surrounding the plot of Nolan’s forthcoming film remain closely guarded. However, reports from i09 suggest the film might delve into a vampire narrative set in the 1920s, aligning with an insight from THR that indicates the story is not contemporary. Whereas Universal acquired Oppenheimer through a competitive bidding process, Nolan’s next film seems to have been directly secured by the studio. Universal is clearly eager to continue its collaboration with Nolan, following the commercial success and critical acclaim won by Oppenheimer, which claimed several Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Downey Jr., Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Director for Nolan, and Best Picture.
Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man is anticipated to carry significant weight in Avengers: Doomsday, as Peter Parker shares a deep connection with Tony Stark/Iron Man, portrayed by Downey Jr. Spider-Man was first introduced into the MCU when Iron Man recruited him for a mission against Captain America and his allies in Captain America: Civil War. Stark became a mentor to Holland’s character until his heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, utilizing the Infinity Stones to vanquish Thanos. The loss deeply affected Holland’s version of Peter Parker, and his grief became a central theme in the subsequent MCU film, Spider-Man: Far From Home.
If Doctor Doom, played by Downey Jr., appears to be a mere doppelgänger of Tony Stark rather than a malevolent lookalike, it’s likely that Holland’s Spider-Man might sense a familiar resemblance between the new antagonist and his beloved mentor. This emotional resonance could offer profound narrative potential for the Avengers: Doomsday writers, as the relationship between Stark and Parker has created some of the most poignant moments in the saga that have resonated deeply with fans.
Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated for theatrical release on May 1, 2026, while Nolan’s upcoming film is scheduled for July 17, 2026.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, i09
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