Tom Holland is currently involved in two major film projects, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, filming consecutively. These are his first feature films since 2022’s Uncharted, with both movies scheduled for theatrical release in 2026, marking Holland’s return to the big screen after his 2023 Apple TV+ limited series The Crowded Room. Throughout this busy period, Holland has expressed a desire to manage his workload carefully amidst ongoing rumors about his future in the film industry, including speculation about joining the James Bond franchise.
Setting Boundaries to Avoid Burnout
Holland has openly discussed the importance of pacing his career to maintain quality in his work and personal well-being.
“I feel really blessed to be at a point in my career where I can take time off, reset, and come back ready to go,”
he said in a recent interview with GQ UK. He added,
“You can’t be in every movie, and you can’t do your best work when you’re burnt out.”
Reflecting on his schedule, Holland remarked,
“What I’ve learnt is that it’s important to set boundaries – to be mindful about overworking,”
and he revealed plans to take more time off following his busy 2026, noting,
“I’ve got a slightly busy year next year, and then I’ll probably take a bit more time off in 2027. We’ll see.”
Speculation Grows Over Holland Potentially Playing James Bond
Rumors have swirled about Holland possibly stepping into the role of James Bond, taking over the iconic part from Daniel Craig. The next Bond film is to be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with a script penned by Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders. The project is co-produced by Amy Pascal, who has a strong working relationship with Holland through the Spider-Man series. These factors have fueled speculation that Holland is a leading contender for the role, especially given Amazon MGM’s reported desire for a younger Bond.
When speaking to Gordon Ramsay about these rumors, Holland responded to questions about his interest in becoming Bond by saying,
“Listen, there’s speculation at the moment. We’ll keep it to a minimum for now. We’ll get there one day.”
He acknowledged the role’s significance within the industry, stating,
“Dude, I mean every young British actor, it’s the pinnacle of working in our industry. I already consider myself to be the luckiest kid alive you know, I could not have dreamed to have the career that I have.”
Emotional Toll of “The Crowded Room” and Time Off
Holland has been candid about the impact his role as Danny Sullivan in The Crowded Room had on him. The series explores Sullivan’s arrest in 1979 following a shooting at Rockefeller Center, and Holland revealed the emotional strain was significant. Reflecting on the experience, he admitted the series “did break me.” After finishing the intense drama, he took nearly a year off to recover and regain his strength.
During his hiatus, Holland remained active through his philanthropic work with The Holland Foundation and by launching Bero, a nonalcoholic beer brand. This period allowed him to recharge before resuming his acting career with full focus in 2024.
Looking Ahead: Desire to Explore New Acting Genres
While Holland is firmly entrenched in blockbuster roles, he has expressed interest in diversifying his career. He shared with GQ UK his desire to try something different, saying,
“I think I’d love to do a straight-up comedy. That genre’s really taken a hit over the last few years. We’re seeing fewer and fewer of them.”
He emphasized that this type of project would shift away from emotionally heavy storytelling to,
“How do we make people laugh as much as possible? That idea of coming to set every day with that mission sounds amazing to me.”
Upcoming Releases and Future Prospects
Holland’s upcoming year will remain demanding with The Odyssey set to open on July 17, 2026, followed closely by Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026. Despite the vigorous schedule, he plans to pause after this period, potentially in 2027, to focus on rest and reflection. With the Bond rumors lingering and his evolving interests in new genres, Holland’s career trajectory continues to generate significant anticipation within the industry and among fans worldwide.
