Tom Holland knew that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to Marvel as Doctor Doom long before the studio announced it to the public. Holland is notorious among Marvel fans for letting spoilers out early (a YouTube compilation titled “Tom Holland Spoils Marvel Movies in 13 Minutes in a Row” has been viewed 21 million times), but he managed to keep a secret to get Downey’s news out to one person right away. Holland’s wife, longtime Spider-Man Zendaya, told Cinemania that she realized “as soon as Downey told Holland.”
“I think I got off the phone and said to[Zendaya]’Downey’s coming back,'” Holland admitted. “[Robert and I]just have casual conversations every once in a while. He called me and told me, which is really exciting. I don’t know much about those movies to begin with. I have a reputation for spoiling certain things, and studios don’t want me to know important details. I think we’re moving away from that…I’m really interested in what that means for Peter (Parker) when it comes to actually decorating that set. It’s really cool. I’m really excited about whatever they’re doing.”
Holland revealed on his Rich Roll podcast in 2024 that Downey was one of a select few to talk about his return to Marvel, adding, “I’ve talked to[Robert]a lot and it’s really exciting, especially about him coming back[to Marvel]. That was a secret that was hard to keep quiet about because I had a reputation for messing things up and strategically didn’t do any press.”
Zendaya and Holland are making international press appearances in support of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which opens in theaters on July 31st. The couple also appear in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which will be released on July 17th. Holland confirmed earlier this month that the two got married this year.
“Our business can create some very stressful situations, but it’s really great to have a foundation of relationships that will stand the test of time,” Holland told Esquire about their relationship. “We’re able to support each other in a way that only we can, because we’re the only ones who really understand what it means to live this life. I think that’s such a luxury, because I don’t understand how you can do that with other people. So for me, I found who I am. She’s my best friend and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with her, but I’ve never felt so supported and safe.”
Watch Zendaya and Holland’s interview with Cinemania in the video below.
