We always assumed Tom Holland would return as Spider-Man after the events of No Way Home, and while the actor is almost certain to swing back into the MCU at some point in the future, it sounds like things are far from set in stone.
While chatting at a recent press conference with the Critics Choice Association (via Collider), Holland made it clear that he will only move forward with another movie if he feels the story can do the character justice.
“All I can say is that we have been actively engaging in conversations about what it could potentially look like for a fourth rendition of my character,” the actor told the press. “Whether or not we can find a way to do justice to the character is another thing.”
“I feel very protective over Spider-Man,” he continued. “I feel very, very lucky that we were able to work on a franchise that got better with each movie, that got more successful with each movie, which I think is really rare, and I want to protect his legacy. So, I won’t make another one for the sake of making another one. It will have to be worth the while of the character. If we can figure that out, I would be a fool not to put the suit back on again because I owe everything to Spider-Man. I love the character and the people I get to work with. So, I would love to tell another story, but I'll only tell it if we can find the right one."
Spider-Man: No Way Home concluded on a bittersweet note for our Friendly Neighbourhood Web-Slinger, who gave up his best friend and the love of his life in order to prevent the catastrophic fallout of Doctor Strange's botched spell.
Peter ultimately decided not to reconnect with MJ and Ned, and instead focus on his crime-fighting career as Spider-Man without having to worry about the well-being of his loved ones. In a way, this would have served as a fitting send-off for Holland's version of the iconic hero, but the movie's massive success almost guaranteed a follow-up. Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal have both confirmed that tentative plans for Spider-Man 4 are in place, but nothing has been officially announced.
Even if Holland does decide not to make a fourth solo Spidey adventure, we can't imagine he won't play a part in the next big Marvel Studios event movies, be in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Secret Wars, or both.