Marvel to replace Tom Holland in upcoming Spider-Man project

This is a blow Spider-Mans likely did not see coming. Marvel just announced the cast of its next Spider-Man project and Tom Holland has officially been replaced.

As Tom Holland’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains unclear, it seems Marvel is making some proactive steps to expand upon the Spider-Man franchise without Holland’s involvement.

In a newly released registration record from the U.S. Copyright Office for Marvel’s upcoming new series Spider-Man: Freshman Year, it has been confirmed that Tom Holland has been replaced in the role of Peter Parker. Instead of bringing Holland in to voice the character in the new Marvel Studios project, Marvel Studios has instead tapped actor Hudson Thames to voice the title role of Peter Parker aka Spider-Man.

The move effectively will see Holland replaced as Spider-Man in the show which definitely raises some eyebrows as Holland’s future with the franchise remains in limbo. But there is some good news for fans of Holland’s web-slinging hero.

While Holland will not be voicing Spider-Man in the new Marvel Studios series, Spider-Man: Freshman Year is being described as being set outside the events of the MCU which means that while Marvel is indeed introducing a new Spider-Man into the mix the door is still being left open for Holland to return in the live-action MCU timeline.

Spider-Man: Freshman Year marks quite a pivot for Marvel with the show being among the first to hail from Marvel Studios as a Disney Plus original series which won’t be connected to the main MCU timeline. This is something that has already created confusion among fans but will allow Marvel to tell new stories featuring a new cast of characters.

Spider-Man: Freshman Year voice cast

• Hudson Thames as Peter Parker
• Eugene Byrd as Lonnie Lincoln
• Grace Song as Nico Minoru
• Hugh Dancy as Otto Octavius
• Kari Wahlgren as Aunt May
• Zeno Robinson as Harry Osborn

While Tom Holland will not be leading the Spider-Man: Freshman Year cast, Marvel has turned to a familiar face to help voice Peter Parker in the upcoming series by casting Hudson Thames.

Thames has not yet played Spider-Man in any live-action medium, however, the actor did take over the role from Holland in the MCU-set What If…? animated series. That’s right, Thames is the actor who voiced Spider-Man in Marvel’s What If…?  having played a pivotal role in the first season’s fifth episode, “What If… Zombies?!”

Casting Thames in the new Freshman Year series will at least bring some consistency to the character’s animated portrayal which is a smart move from Marvel — especially when you consider there is a strong chance Thames will also be voicing Spider-Man in Marvel’s Zombies. 

Of course, the other most notable addition to the show’s voice cast is Hannibal actor Hugh Dancy who has been tapped to play Otto Octavius aka Doc Ock. While little is known about the role Otto will play in teh show, his involvement seems to suggest he’ll be a key player.

It’s possible we could once again see Otto mentor young Peter Parker, which would be amazing to see in the animated series. Many regard Doc Ock as Spider-Man’s greatest mentor in the live-action Spider-Man movies, so the idea of getting to see Marvel adapt that dynamic in Freshman Year is truly exciting.

And how can we not mention the confirmation that the series will introduce Harry Osborn with actor Zeno Robinson tapped to voice the role. We’ve yet to see Harry in the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise, so knowing the character will be back in the mix within Freshman Year should create some excitement among fans regarding the stories that will be told across the show.

Rounding out the confirmed voice cast are Eugene Byrd as Lonnie Lincoln, Grace Song as Nico Minoru, and Kari Wahlgren as Aunt May because you truly cannot have Spider-Man without Aunt May!