Tom Holland Says Zendaya Joked She Would ‘Leave’ Him If He Didn’t Take “The Odyssey ”Role (Exclusive)

**Tom Holland Shares His Journey to Join ‘The Odyssey’ Amid ‘Spider-Man’ Commitments**

In a candid discussion about his latest film project, Tom Holland shared the intriguing circumstances surrounding his decision to take on a leading role in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, ‘The Odyssey’. Faced with the scheduling conflict posed by his commitments to ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, Holland revealed how a conversation with fellow actor and partner, Zendaya, helped guide his choice.

Holland, 30, recently participated in a promotional chat with notable actors Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, alongside writer-director Christopher Nolan, for a feature in PEOPLE magazine. During the exchange, he recounted the moment he received the offer to play Telemachus, the son of Damon’s character, Odysseus, and Hathaway’s Penelope.

“When I got home after our meeting, I sat down with Z and was like, ‘I’ve been offered this movie,’” he said, referencing Zendaya, his long-time partner since 2021, who he married earlier this year. “And she was like, ‘By who?’ And I was like, ‘It’s the big one.’ And she was like, ‘Chris?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s Chris Nolan.’”

What followed was a light-hearted exchange that highlighted the support Zendaya offered. Holland recalled, “We had ‘Spider-Man’ literally scheduled to begin filming on the same day as ‘The Odyssey’. Z said, ‘I’ll leave you if you don’t do The Odyssey,’” prompting laughter from his fellow panellists.

Nolan chimed in with appreciation for Zendaya’s encouragement, saying, “Well, thank you to her. Here I am.” Holland’s willingness to navigate a complex scheduling conflict reflects both his dedication to evolving as an actor and the strong support system he has in his personal life.

To facilitate his involvement in ‘The Odyssey’, Holland reached out to Tom Rothman at Sony Pictures, the studio behind the Spider-Man franchise, to negotiate a delay for the filming of ‘Brand New Day’. The executive granted his request, allowing Holland to embark on this ambitious project while still managing his responsibilities in the superhero universe.

As it turns out, Holland and Zendaya are set for a summer full of excitement, with ‘The Odyssey’ hitting cinemas on July 17 and ‘Brand New Day’ following shortly after on July 31. The couple will thus share the spotlight as their respective films are released, showcasing their talents in various genres.

Holland, who was new to Nolan’s filmmaking style, expressed his enthusiasm about joining an ensemble that includes seasoned actors like Damon and Hathaway, both of whom had previously collaborated with Nolan. “Tom was somebody I hadn’t worked with before, but I’ve admired his work for years and really wanted to work with him,” Nolan noted. This synergy appears to have paid off during production, as Holland thrived in the challenging yet rewarding environment.

Nolan reflected on the intensity of the shoot, remarking, “I like to say it was a hard shoot, but hard in the right way. Put to the test, they rose to it magnificently.” The collaborative spirit among the cast is evident, with Holland’s performance, along with Zendaya’s role as the goddess Athena, forming a vital part of the film’s narrative.

In another interview, Holland mentioned that he had the privilege of being the one to inform Zendaya of her casting as Athena. “I said, ‘Just read [the script] again, but read Athena really closely.’ And the little corners of her mouth… It was amazing,” he recalled, highlighting the excitement surrounding both actors in their respective roles.

With the anticipation for ‘The Odyssey’ building in the lead-up to its release, it promises to be a standout addition to Nolan’s impressive filmography. Fans of both Holland and Zendaya can expect to see their dynamic both on screen and in cinemas, marking an extraordinary summer for the talented duo.

As the release date approaches, interest continues to grow, with the film being featured prominently in various publications. For more insights into ‘The Odyssey’, readers can look for features in this week’s edition of PEOPLE, set to hit shelves on Friday.