Hollywood star Tom Holland, famously known as Spider-Man, has reportedly been ruled out as a contender to play the next James Bond. Sources say Holland’s exclusive Marvel Studios contract prevents him from taking any roles that could potentially overshadow his iconic portrayal of Peter Parker.
The 29-year-old actor had been considered a frontrunner to replace Daniel Craig as 007, with betting odds previously at 12/1. However, the Sun reports that Marvel’s strict contractual clause bars him from pursuing roles that could “outshine Spider-Man,” and Bond is seen as one such role. “Tom can’t play two superheroes, it just won’t happen,” a source explained.
Addressing the rumors during a YouTube interview with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, Holland remained diplomatic. “Listen, there’s speculation at the moment. We’ll keep it to a minimum for now. We’ll get there one day,” he said. When asked if he would love the chance to play 007, Holland added, “Every young British actor dreams of it. It’s the pinnacle of working in our industry. I already consider myself the luckiest kid alive. I could not have dreamed to have the career that I have.”
The next James Bond film, reportedly the 26th in the series, is set to begin production in April 2026 at Pinewood Studios in the UK. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, the movie will explore the threat of artificial intelligence, marking Bond’s first adventure in the “AI era.” According to insiders, the production team aims for a bold, fresh, and relevant story.
With Holland out, the race to become the next 007 heats up. Bookmakers currently list Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the favorite, followed by Callum Turner, Henry Cavill, and Theo James.
Meanwhile, Holland continues to focus on his fourth Spider-Man film, which recently paused production after he suffered a minor concussion during a stunt. Thankfully, the injury was not serious, and filming is expected to resume soon.
