Tom Holland says Peter Parker is in the 'darkest chapter of his life' in new 'Spider-Man' film
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is Peter Parker's most personal chapter yet, star Tom Holland says.
Holland spoke with ABC News Digital at the film's Los Angeles premiere Monday night, ahead of its theatrical release, and said audiences will get to see his beloved character "in the most vulnerable state in his life."
"I think when you meet him at the beginning of this movie, it really feels like the darkest chapter of his life, and it feels like there's no way out," he said.
He added, "I guess one of my favorite things about the movie is that sometimes the bravest thing you can do in life is ask for help, and Peter Parker is learning that lesson in the most brutal way possible."
"Brand New Day" is the fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Spider-Man" franchise. It takes place five years after the events of "Spider-Man: No Way Home," in which Peter asked Doctor Strange to erase him from everyone's memory to stop the multiverse from collapsing.
The upcoming film follows Peter as he fights crime as Spider-Man "in world that doesn't remember him," according to a synopsis.
"...The pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him ... sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control," the synopsis continues. "But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves -- a powerful villain no one can even see."
Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously directed the 2021 MCU film "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," helms the MCU "Spider-Man" franchise for the first time (Jon Watts directed the first three movies).
Cretton told ABC News Digital on the red carpet Monday that "Brand New Day" is a movie about "connection" and "connecting with the people that you love."
"I hope that people see this movie -- whether they come with their friends and their loved ones, or if they come completely by themselves -- I hope that when they leave the theater, they feel more connected to the people they're sitting next to," he said. "And I hope that it really helps people feel less alone in their struggles or whatever they're going through [in] life."
In bringing Peter's story to life in this new chapter, Cretton said he and the writers were influenced by the films that came before, video games and more.
"I feel very lucky to have been able to jump into this sandbox with this amazing group of creatives, and I have loved this character since I was a kid," he said. "I think there is something about Spider-Man that transcends cultures that was relatable to me growing up in Hawaii, even though my culture was so far from being a kid growing up in Queens."
"There's a universality of the emotions that he goes through, [in] his journey as Peter Parker, that I just found incredibly relatable," he added. "And that's what we want right now, is to make a movie that I think will be not just enjoyable, but that people will connect with regardless of your cultural background."
In addition to Holland, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" features returning stars Zendaya (MJ) and Jacob Batalon (Ned). New faces include Liza Colón-Zayas, Tramell Tillman, Marvin Jones III, and Jon Bernthal, who plays Frank Castle/The Punisher, a role he has played in various Marvel Cinematic Universe projects over the years.
Bernthal called acting alongside Holland a "full-circle" moment after he helped Holland make his audition tape for "Spider-Man" and after Holland helped make Bernthal's audition tape for Punisher while the pair were working together on the 2017 film "Pilgrimage."
"The greatest thing about this business is the people that you get to meet along the way," Bernthal said on the red carpet Monday. "[Holland is] one of the good guys. I love to see how far he's come, but I also love that he is exactly the same."
Leading up to the film's theatrical premiere, fans online have expressed curiosity about new star Sadie Sink's role in the movie, which has so far remained a mystery.
"I knew there would be a lot of speculation about who I may be playing in this movie, but I honestly that did shock me at just how much there was," Sink told ABC on the red carpet Monday.
"Brand New Day" will also see Spider-Man interacting with Hulk/Bruce Banner, played by Mark Ruffalo.
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" swings into theaters on July 31.
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