Tom Holland is Clearly the Heart of the MCU; What Does That Mean for Marvel?
It is more obvious now than ever before, Tom Holland is clearly the heart of the MCU; yet, with the uncertainty that remains from the Sony collaboration, the biggest question is, what does that mean for Marvel?
In 2008 Marvel Studios struck gold by introducing the man- and the character- that would become the beating heart for a decade-long endeavor.
Photo: Marvel
A quest to bring some of Marvel’s more obscure characters to the big screen in one very large Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Not only did it work, but it worked better than anyone could’ve expected; with Robert Downey Jr. operating as the clear heartbeat for this universe; alongside Christ Evans Captain America, and Chris Hemsworth Thor, the trio made up the MCU trinity.
Source: Marvel Studios
But Avengers: Endgame marked the end of Downey Jr.’s run within the MCU and a very clear hole for which the entire universe can feel the effects; when Tony Stark snapped away Thanos and regained the universe to its peaceful state, the entire MCU was catapulted into a place of uncertainty.
The very fundamental presence, one that transcended time and title; was gone.
Tony Stark’s death. Photo: Marvel
Although now, we may have finally found the person who has so naturally filled that place.
Because Tom Holland is clearly the heart of the MCU.
Source: Marvel
That is a fact that certainly is difficult to refute; with the masterpiece that is Spider-Man: No Way Home dominating both the domestic and global box office despite a post-pandemic world, and restricted access to the biggest movie market on the planet.
Holland has still exemplified what is probably the best film iteration of Peter Parker, and with him committing to taking the character into the future, it appears as though he won’t be relinquishing the title of Spider-Man anytime soon.
Source: Marvel Studios
With his widely beloved performance as the character, and his commitment to portraying him, Tom Holland has entered rarified air in the world of the MCU.
He has inherited the legacy set forth by Parker’s canonical mentor, Tony Stark; he’s become the heartbeat of these amazing films.
Source: Marvel Studios
Anthony Russo, one half of the directing duo responsible for Avengers: Endgame, discussed Hollands role in the MCU’s future by stating something similar to GQ;
Tom is stepping inot the role that Robert Downy once occupied for MArvel, whic his the favorite character, and in a lot of ways the soul of the Marvel Universe.
Source: Marvel Studios
It was a statement again reiterated by the director in an interview with ComicBook.com, stating,
So, I said this not too long ago, but I really feel like he’s taken over the mantle as sort of this soul of the Marvel univerese, the emotional core of it. The audience has been through a lot with his character. I think they feel very emotionally connected to his character,”
Marvel
With Holland so confidently taking Downey’s place as the soul of the MCU; what exactly does that mean for Marvel?
How long can the studios continue to build a universe around a character they don’t even own?
After Spider-Man: Far From Home, the collaborative relationship between Sony and Marvel hit a rough patch; with a drunk Tom Holland saving the partnership, fans understood that Spider-Man in the MCU wasn’t a proposition that would last forever.
At some point, it feels as though Marvel will be left with no other choice than to find their own hero to answer the adoration of Spider-Man; whether it is Shang-Chi, Sam Wilson’s Captain America or any of the new heroes expected to debut in the coming years.
One thing is very certain, Tom Holland is clearly the heart of the MCU, and Marvel Studios must find a way forward amidst that certain revelation.
