Tom Holland's Sony Power Move Shocks Matt Damon on Set
A casual conversation between Hollywood stars reveals the surprising influence one young actor wields at a major studio, all thanks to his web-slinging alter ego.
Matt Damon dropped a bombshell during a recent podcast appearance, sharing an eye-opening story about his co-star Tom Holland's surprising clout at Sony Pictures. The revelation came during Damon and Ben Affleck's visit to the On Film… With Kevin McCarthy podcast, where they were promoting their latest project, The Rip.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when host Kevin McCarthy mentioned watching a 70mm print of Lawrence of Arabia. Damon revealed he'd seen the same screening after Holland arranged it for the entire cast of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.
"So Tom Holland, when we were shooting The Odyssey, arranged [the screening]. Cuz Tom Holland runs that studio. He's Spider-Man. And so he called Tom Rothman and on a Sunday we went down and screened it," Damon explained, referencing Sony chairperson Tom Rothman.
Spider-Man's $4 Billion Studio Influence
Damon's joke about Holland "running" Sony isn't far from reality. The young actor's Spider-Man trilogy generated nearly $4 bn worldwide, making him one of the studio's most valuable assets. His upcoming fourth film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is already generating massive anticipation ahead of its July 31, 2026 release.
The numbers tell the story. Spider-Man: Homecoming earned $880 mn globally in 2017. Far from Home crossed $1.1 bn two years later. Then No Way Home exploded with $1.9 bn, becoming one of cinema's biggest hits ever.
But Holland's influence extends beyond box office receipts. In 2019, when Sony and Marvel nearly ended their partnership, Holland personally intervened. He contacted both Sony's Tom Rothman and Disney CEO Bob Iger, convincing them to continue their collaboration.
From Reluctant Choice to Studio Powerhouse
Sony initially hesitated to cast Holland as their web-slinger. Marvel directors Anthony and Joe Russo revealed the studio's concerns about his age during casting. "We talked with Feige at Marvel about Holland and he got excited and then we went to Sony. And they were like, 'Let's think about it for a minute,'" the Russos shared.
That hesitation nearly cost Sony billions. Holland's popularity among fans and his diplomatic skills during contract negotiations proved invaluable. His ability to bridge the gap between competing studios saved the franchise.
The Odyssey Connection
Holland's admiration for Damon runs deep. In The Odyssey, Holland plays Telemachus to Damon's Odysseus. The young actor called working with Damon "the job of a lifetime" and described him as "always been a hero of mine."
The star-studded cast includes Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Zendaya. Filming took place in Morocco and Sicily under Nolan's direction. Universal Pictures is banking on another Oppenheimer-level success when The Odyssey hits theaters July 17, 2026.
Affleck laughed at Damon's studio ownership joke but couldn't attend the Lawrence of Arabia screening due to work commitments. The casual Sunday screening arrangement shows just how comfortable Holland has become wielding his Spider-Man influence at Sony.