Jacob Batalon says Spider-Man handshake with Tom Holland was 'muscle memory'

Batalon said revisiting the moment was especially emotional because it serves as a subtle reminder of an enduring bond

Jacob Batalon has revealed that recreating his iconic Spider-Man handshake with Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day felt completely natural, saying the routine came back "literally like muscle memory" despite years having passed since they first performed it on screen. 

The actor, who reprises his role as Ned Leeds in the latest Marvel blockbuster, explained that the handshake was never heavily choreographed. Instead, he and Holland came up with it spontaneously while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, when both actors were just 19 years old.

Batalon said revisiting the moment in Brand New Day was especially emotional because it serves as a subtle reminder of Peter Parker and Ned's enduring bond, even after the memory-erasing events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. "It's a cool nod," he said, adding that the sequence reflects how some connections can survive even when memories fade.

The actor also reflected on nearly a decade of working alongside Holland and Zendaya, describing his co-stars as family. He said he feels fortunate to have grown up with them through the Spider-Man films and praised the close friendship they have maintained off screen.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has enjoyed a record-breaking theatrical run since its release, becoming one of the biggest box office successes of 2026. The film stars Holland, Zendaya, Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo and Sadie Sink, and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Peter Parker following the events of No Way Home.