Kevin Feige says recasting Spider-Man after Andrew Garfield was ‘bit of a risk’

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has reflected on the decision to cast Tom Holland as Spider-Man shortly after Andrew Garfield’s time as Peter Parker ended, describing the move as “a bit of a risk”.

Garfield starred as the superhero in The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel, with his run ending before Holland was introduced as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Studios and Sony subsequently brought Holland into the MCU, beginning with Captain America: Civil War.

Speaking alongside producer Amy Pascal, Feige said the timing of the recasting presented a challenge. “Recasting him so soon after Andrew was a bit of a risk,” he said.

Feige explained that introducing Holland in Captain America: Civil War before releasing Spider-Man: Homecoming was an intentional way to ease audiences into the new version of Peter Parker.

Rather than immediately launching another standalone origin story, the character first appeared alongside established MCU heroes.

The filmmakers also took a different approach to Spider-Man’s origin, spreading elements of his development across multiple films rather than presenting the story in a single movie, as Sam Raimi had done with his Spider-Man trilogy.

Feige and Pascal also discussed the importance of supporting characters including Ned and MJ, who helped establish Peter’s high school life within the MCU.

Pascal described the Marvel-Sony collaboration as being driven by their shared investment in the character.

The discussion also covered the future of Holland’s Spider-Man. Feige said Holland has shared his ideas about eventually passing the Spider-Man mantle to Miles Morales, although no specific plans have been confirmed.