Taking on the iconic role of one of the most popular superheroes in the MCU, Tom Holland has swiftly ascended to the ranks of Hollywood’s most coveted actors. His breakout portrayal as Spider-Man has opened doors for him to exhibit his versatility beyond the superhero genre. However, his journey hasn’t been devoid of setbacks, both commercially and critically.
Despite the fame, success, and critical acclaim, the 27-year-old English actor has encountered instances where his films failed to resonate at the box office and faced critical scrutiny for various aspects.
Tom Holland’s Historical Drama That Failed to Generate Sparks at the Box Office
Following his debut as Spider-Man in the 2016 MCU film Captain America: Civil War and the success of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Tom Holland took on the role of Samuel Insull, an innovator and investor, in the 2017 historical drama The Current War.
Starring an ensemble cast including Benedict Cumberbatch and Nicolas Hoult alongside Holland, the film depicts the intense rivalry between electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, as they compete to dominate the burgeoning electrical industry in late 19th-century America.
Despite commendable performances from the cast, the film faced criticism for its execution. The Current War struggled at the box office as well, grossing only $12.2 million against a $30 million budget, marking it as a commercial disappointment.
The Chaos Surrounding the Sci-Fi Film Chaos Walking
Ahead of the release of his Spider-Man threequel, No Way Home, Tom Holland shared the screen with Daisy Ridley and Mads Mikkelsen in the 2021 film Chaos Walking. Set in a world devoid of women and where thoughts are audible, the film centers on Todd Hewitt, who must safeguard Viola after her crash landing, revealing the perilous truths of their dystopian society.
Based on Patrick Ness’ science fiction trilogy Chaos Walking, the film underwent hectic production, enduring numerous rewrites and extensive reshoots after negative test screenings. The process led to a substantial budget increase. However, despite all the efforts, the film struggled to captivate audiences or critics. Chaos Walking grossed only $26.5 million worldwide on an estimated budget of $100 million.
The Box Office Turmoil of the Fantasy Adventure in Dolittle
After sharing the screen in the 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, Tom Holland reunited with the Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. in the 2020 fantasy adventure film Dolittle as a voice actor. Holland voiced the character of Jip, a loyal lurcher of the titular character.
Dolittle also underwent extensive reshoots following negative reception in its initial test screenings. However, despite featuring the beloved Marvel stars, the film failed to resonate positively with audiences or critics.
Dolittle is the lowest-ranked Holland movie with a 15% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $251 million globally against a reported budget of $175 million. It was reported to have caused significant financial losses estimated between $100 million, marking it as a commercial flop in Holland’s filmography.
The Current War, Chaos Walking, and Dolittle are available to rent/buy on Prime Video.
