Amazing Spider-Man #1000 went on sale in select comic book shops this weekend, and among the issue's many backup features is an interview with Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton and star Tom Holland.
The latter's comments are particularly insightful and may even hint at where Holland would like Spider-Man 5 to go. Similar to writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the actor is eager to see the web-slinger clash with Kraven the Hunter.
Recently, we learned that Sony Pictures blocked Kraven from appearing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day because of plans for the villain's solo outing in 2024 (it was a critical and commercial flop).
Revealing that Ultimate Spider-Man is his favourite Spider-Man comic book, Holland told Marvel (via Bleeding Cool), "My favourite moment, and I tried to get it into this movie, Destin, and you'll remember this, is in Ultimate Spider-Man. He is on his way to fight Doc Ock, and Kraven shows up and kind of throws a bit of a spanner in the works."
"And you think as you're reading it, they're like, oh, there's about to be this, like, massive action sequence between Spider-Man and Kraven. And it completely, like, undercuts the tension, because Spider-Man just punches him once and essentially, like, buries him in the ground," Holland continued. "And I just remember reading that before the first movie, before Spider-Man: Homecoming."
"And I've been pitching that idea for over a decade. I just, I always loved that moment. And the Ultimate Spider-Man, for me, is the series that I resonated with the most and the one that I pulled the most inspiration from. And that particular moment always makes me laugh out loud when I revisit it," he added.
To that, Cretton said, "That's hilarious, because when you pitched that to me, it was like you pitched it as if you came up with the idea last night. I didn't know you'd been sitting on it."
Holland added that he's a big fan of Ultimate Spider-Man's take on the Clone Saga, saying, "I love that scene on the roof of the train when he comes face-to-face with Spider-Woman for the first time. I remember that really affecting me."
It turns out he also has some ideas about new costumes for the web-slinger after Spider-Man: Brand New Day's comic-accurate take. "I like the Bag-Man because I love his relationship with Johnny Storm. That would be something I would really be eager to try to explore in the future. The 2099 is another favourite. It's epic."
Whether Holland will get the opportunity to explore any of these things hinges on where Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures decide to take the franchise next. Cretton is expected to return for the fifth MCU Spider-Man movie, which likely won't arrive in theaters until 2029.
We'll have a full breakdown of Amazing Spider-Man #1000 on Wednesday, but some spoilers for the landmark issue have already been revealed. The comic doesn't sound overly groundbreaking or shocking, though it will introduce a new villain with a very personal link to Peter Parker.
Amazing Spider-Man #1000 will be led by an epic story by Joe Kelly and Pepe Larraz that serves as both a culmination of their work on the title so far AND a pivotal moment that launches into the next phase of their acclaimed run! Spider-Man faces his greatest fear and his most frightening new villain in decades. Who is this Ravage? And how will his history-shattering power force Peter to question his very legacy? It's one of Spider-Man's most personal battles to date, and one that will shape his path for the next 1,000 issues!
Then, the giant-size spectacular continues with special anniversary stories by an unprecedented lineup of renowned creators from legendary Spider-Man creators and modern superstars to surprise contributors! The talent includes the likes of John Romita Jr., Frank Miller, Peach Momoko, Stuart Immonen, Brian Michael Bendis, Dan Slott, J.M. DeMatteis, Patrick Gleason, Marcos Martin and, making his Marvel Comics debut, screenwriter Noah Hawley (Alien: Earth)!