Tom Holland has shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story about how Zendaya encouraged him to accept a starring role in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic, The Odyssey.
During a recent interview with PEOPLE alongside Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Christopher Nolan, Holland revealed that accepting the role wasn’t an easy decision. At the time, Spider-Man: Brand New Day was scheduled to begin filming on the exact same day as Nolan’s production, forcing the actor to choose between two blockbuster projects.
Thankfully for movie fans, Zendaya had a humorous solution—and it helped shape one of Hollywood’s biggest films of the year.
Tom Holland Faced a Difficult Choice Between Spider-Man and The Odyssey
When Christopher Nolan offered Tom Holland the role of Telemachus, son of Odysseus and Penelope, the actor immediately knew it was a career-defining opportunity.
After returning home, Holland discussed the offer with Zendaya.
According to Holland, their conversation went something like this:
“I’ve been offered this movie.”
When Zendaya realized it was Christopher Nolan’s latest project, she jokingly responded:
“I’ll leave you if you don’t do The Odyssey.”
The lighthearted remark drew laughs during the PEOPLE interview, with Nolan thanking Zendaya for helping convince Holland to join the cast.
Tom Holland Needed Sony’s Approval to Make It Happen
Tom Holland Delayed Spider-Man: Brand New Day for Christopher Nolan’s Film
The scheduling conflict was real.
According to previous interviews with GQ, Tom Holland had to ask Sony Pictures executive Tom Rothman to postpone production on Spider-Man: Brand New Day so he could participate in The Odyssey.
Sony ultimately approved the schedule adjustment, allowing Holland to appear in both major productions.
The decision means audiences are getting an unforgettable summer, with The Odyssey arriving in theaters on July 17 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day following on July 31.
Christopher Nolan Wanted to Work with Tom Holland for Years
Although Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway had previously collaborated with Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland was joining one of the director’s productions for the very first time.
Nolan praised Holland during the interview, saying he had admired the actor’s work for years and was eager to collaborate.
The filmmaker also acknowledged how difficult it was to coordinate Holland’s demanding schedule but said the cast came together like a family, delivering one of the most rewarding productions of his career.
Zendaya and Tom Holland Share Another Blockbuster Together
Fans of the couple will once again see Tom Holland and Zendaya sharing the screen this summer.
While Holland portrays Telemachus in The Odyssey, Zendaya plays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. The pair also reunite in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, continuing their beloved partnership that has made them one of Hollywood’s most popular on-screen and off-screen couples.
In another behind-the-scenes story, Holland revealed that Christopher Nolan allowed him to tell Zendaya first that she had been cast as Athena. He encouraged her to reread the script carefully, leading to an emotional realization that the role was hers.
5 Things We Learned from Tom Holland’s The Odyssey Story
- Tom Holland almost couldn’t accept The Odyssey because of a scheduling conflict.
- Zendaya jokingly told him she’d “leave” him if he turned down Christopher Nolan’s film.
- Sony delayed Spider-Man: Brand New Day so Holland could star in both movies.
- Christopher Nolan had wanted to work with Tom Holland for years.
- The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are both releasing in July, making it a huge summer for Holland and Zendaya.
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FAQs
Why did Tom Holland almost turn down The Odyssey?
Tom Holland almost declined the role because Spider-Man: Brand New Day was originally scheduled to begin filming at the same time as Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
What did Zendaya tell Tom Holland about The Odyssey?
Zendaya jokingly told Tom Holland she would “leave” him if he didn’t accept Christopher Nolan’s offer to star in The Odyssey, encouraging him to take the role.
Who does Tom Holland play in The Odyssey?
Tom Holland stars as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus (Matt Damon) and Penelope (Anne Hathaway), in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s classic epic.
