While Tom Holland has made a name for himself as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s new Spider-Man, he almost starred in another huge franchise: Star Wars.
The 24-year-old actor offered some audition tips and horror stories in a new interview for Backstage Magazine.
When asked about auditions that went wrong, Holland revealed he tried out for John Boyega’s role of Finn in the new Star Wars movies, thought it went badly awry.
Almost Star Wars: While Tom Holland has made a name for himself as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s new Spider-Man, he almost starred in another huge franchise: Star Wars
Tom Holland reveals fit of giggles cost him role in Star Wars
The actor admitted that he has ‘read the wrong lines at the wrong audition’ before explaining what happened at his Star Wars audition.
‘I remember my audition for Star Wars, I was like four or five auditions in, and I think I was auditioning for John Boyegaโs role,’ Holland began.
‘I remember doing this scene with this lady, bless her, and she was just a drone. So I was doing all of this, like, “We gotta get back to the ship!” And she was going, “Bleep, bloop bloop, bleep bloop.” I just couldnโt stop laughing,’ he added.
John’s role: ‘I remember my audition for Star Wars, I was like four or five auditions in, and I think I was auditioning for John Boyegaโs role,’ Holland began
‘I found it so funny. And I felt really bad, because she was trying really hard to be a convincing android or drone or whatever theyโre called. Yeah, I obviously didn’t get the part. That wasnโt my best moment,’ he revealed.
Holland also opened up about losing a role to Ansel Elgort in the 2017 film November Criminals, which he got ‘really close’ to landing and thought it would be the ‘stepping stone’ of his young career.
‘I didnโt get the role, and it really beat me up. I remember being really angry about it. My dad sat me down, and we spoke about dealing with rejection,’ Holland said.
Tom Holland stars as a bank robber in the trailer for ‘Cherry’
Opening up: Holland also opened up about losing a role to Ansel Elgort in the 2017 film November Criminals, which he got ‘really close’ to landing and thought it would be the ‘stepping stone’ of his young career
‘Heโs had to deal with rejection his entire life in his career, and he was really kind and said, “Son, thatโs part of success. If you won every single time, winning would become losing,”‘ Holland added.
‘Itโs like, if I can shoot 4-under in golf every single day, that would become really boring. You need to lose so that the win feels like a win,’ he continued.
When asked if he had any acting mentors, two came to mind, Robert Downey Jr. and Zendaya.
Tom Holland walks in the snow while filming ‘Spider-Man 3’
Mentor: When asked if he had any acting mentors, two came to mind, Robert Downey Jr. and Zendaya
‘He is the godfather of the MCU, and he is arguably one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He is so professional, heโs so kind, he treats everyone on set with respect. Heโs never late, he knows everyoneโs name. So, for me, that was the perfect kind of role model, where I was like, โWell, if he’s like that and heโs the biggest movie star in the world, then I have to be like that. Because Iโm not the biggest movie star in the world, and thereโs no room for me to not be as respectful as he is,’ Holland said.
As for Zendaya, he said that when they started shooting their first Spider-Man movie, 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, him, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon all, ‘became best mates.’
‘She was so helpful in the process of my life changing, because not only are you making big films and youโre traveling the world, but everyone starts to know who you are. And you have to behave differently. You have a responsibility to kind of uphold this idea of being a role model to young kids. And, arguably, sheโs the best at that,’ Holland said.
Best mates: As for Zendaya, he said that when they started shooting their first Spider-Man movie, 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, him, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon all, ‘became best mates
Tom Holland teases new ‘Spider-Man’ Disneyland attraction