Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland Feud Over ‘Most Ambitious Standalone Superhero Movie’
Ever since 2012’s Avengers broke the news as the ‘most ambitious crossover,’ every movie feels like the ‘most ambitious’ something. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland diving into the Marvel multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the two actors clash over which film is the real ‘most ambitious standalone superhero movie.’
Tom Holland’s claims about ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’
Before the trailer leaks and the internet losing their minds over Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe’s villains, Holland already knew audiences would love the film.
In a February interview with Variety, Holland resisted mentioning any spoilers about the movie. However, that did not stop him from praising Spider-Man: No Way Home.
“I can say that it’s the most ambitious standalone superhero movie ever made,” Holland said. “You sit down, read the script, and see what they’re trying to do, and they’re succeeding. It’s really impressive. I’ve never seen a standalone superhero movie quite like it.”
Holland felt lucky to play Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the biggest solo superhero film, according to him, at least.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland do not exactly agree on it as the most ambitious solo superhero outing.
Benedict Cumberbatch responds to Tom Holland’s comments
In a more recent interview, Benedict Cumberbatch refuted Tom Holland’s initial claims. He admitted that Spider-Man: No Way Home might hold that title.
He clarified that it only would until Doctor Strange 2 released.
“Yeah, [filming Spider-Man: No Way Home] will be a lot, a lot of fun. There will be a lot of debate about it, I’m sure, but it’s a daring, brilliant concept,” Cumberbatch said to Variety Awards Circuit Podcast via The Direct.
The interviewer pushed on Holland’s comments about how “he thinks it’s the most ambitious standalone superhero movie ever made.” Asking if Cumbatch agrees, the actor hesitated for a moment.
“Until Doctor Strange 2…” Cumberbatch argued. “Throwing it down, Tom! Throwing it down! But yeah, for now, it will do…”
Aside from the tangle between Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland’s claims, Cumberbatch said that director Jon Watts is a genius and that fans will have plenty of treats in the movie.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland both have high praises for the film
Of course, the spat between Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland comes down to more light-hearted ribbing than anything.
Both actors praise the sheer scope that Marvel strives for in its upcoming movies. The Marvel Cinematic Universe grows bigger by the day, as do the stories told.
Drawing in actors from different eras of Marvel films, introducing alternate versions of characters, and more, Marvel’s plans look huge.
Spider-Man: No Way Home releases December 17, 2021, while Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in March.
As for the title of the ‘most ambitious standalone superhero movie ever made,’ fans will have to wait and judge for themselves once both are on the table.
