When the time came to introduce Spider-Man in the MCU, Marvel’s Kevin Feige, Sony’s Amy Pascal, and casting director Sarah Halley Finn started their hunt for the next Peter Parker. They quickly settled for British Actor Tom Holland, who did not have a lot of film credits to his name but had already played the lead in the musical Billy Elliott. However, Robert Downey Jr. had a part to play in the casting process.
It was important as Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Spider-Man would share a close bond throughout the franchise. Marvel’s casting process also boiled down to two actors fighting for the top spot.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Trait Might’ve Hurt Asa Butterfield
Sarah Hally Finn revealed that she was aware of Tom Holland’s rigorous dance training since he was nine, recognizing his commitment and ability to perform consistently on set. But he wasn’t getting the role so easily.
Fin said (via MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios):
“I knew that he had been dancing eight hours a day since he was nine years old. He had already shown that he was a professional and could go on a set and show up for work every day.”
Marvel’s brought its two top contenders, Tom Holland and Asa Butterfield, known for his role in Sex Education, to the set of Civil War for a screen test with Robert Downey Jr. Since Pascal and Feige already planned on showing great camaraderie between Tony Stark and Peter Parker, a chemistry test seemed natural.
Pascal said it was pretty hard for actors to screen-test with Downey Jr., as the actor had a knack for stealing scenes, but Holland managed to keep his composure. After his test, Downey walked over to the monitor and gave his approval to Feige and Pascal. Spider-Man was eventually introduced in the MCU with Captain America: Civil War.
Iron Man And Captain America Could Return To MCU
Marvel enthusiasts are currently excited over speculations about Robert Downey Jr.’s potential return as Iron Man in the MCU. As per an internet tipster MyTimeToShineHello, the actor could be returning along with Chris Evans, who played Captain America.
The source also claimed that Robert Downey Jr. has reportedly agreed to come back to the franchise. But since there is a lack of information regarding the matter, it should be taken with a pinch of salt. Considering Marvel’s history of tweaking timelines and narratives in the comics, bringing these characters back shouldn’t be a problem.
There are also speculations about bringing the original Avengers lineup in an upcoming film. With Jonathan Majors entangled in controversy, the situation seems to be challenging for the studio. As of now, fans are looking forward to the release of The Marvels, the sequel to Captain Marvel (2019). It will hit theaters on November 10, 2023.
