Actor Tom Holland takes on the most mature role of his career in the next Apple TV Plus film, “Cherry”. Joining Anthony and Joe Russo, better known as The Russo Brothers, the 24-year-old did a lot of research and wanted to draw attention to a problem that plagues our communities.
With future roles not only in “Cherry”, the British star is also currently filming the still untitled sequel to “Spider-Man” by director Jon Watts. Holland opens up about preparing for his role as a soldier who became a drug addict and later became a bank robber, along with what we can expect from the new superhero movie next year, which he calls “the standalone film of the most ambitious superhero ever “. Finally, he talks about how to have a drive and how his dream role is to play James Bond and work with Maggie Smith. Listen to the podcast below!
Also in this episode, Variety feature editor Jenelle Riley talks to Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike about her new movie, “I Care A Lot” from Netflix, for which the Golden Globe has just nominated her as best actress in comedy.
Finally, the panel discusses all the surprises and contempt at the Golden Globes, what this means for the future of the awards season and what the broadcast might look like with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting from two separate shores.
Courtesy of NETFLIX
Why did you choose “Cherry” for your first project after the MCU films?
Tom Holland: I really don’t know why now. I would have accepted this job; whoever it was, it is the gift that continues to give. And I started working with the Russians [Anthony and Joe] again. People I really respect and I admire and admire their work. The subject is very important. I think we are providing a service to society by shedding light on a problem that is happening at everyone’s door, which is substance abuse, excessive medication and not treating PTSD in the right way. It was also a challenge. I love challenges. I love to push myself. Hard work is good work. So it was a little obvious, this film, and I can’t imagine that there was any way I could have turned it down and left.
As a former child actor, was there a particular movie that really inspired you to get into that business?
Netherlands: This is a good question. There are definitely films that I watched when I was a kid and that I thought “Wow, I would love to play a character like that”. I was 11 when I first went on stage for “Billy Elliot” and I was too young to think about the future of my career. I never decided to be an actor. It’s just something that happened in my life. It happened to me and I never stopped. I was very lucky to be able to continue doing this for as long as I am doing it. Working with Naomi Watts on “The Impossible” was the moment when I realized that this was something I could do for a living. The first time, I thought, “Wow, maybe I could be an actor.”
Is there a movie or performance that is your favorite of all time?
Netherlands: “Primal Fear” for me is one of my favorite performances of all time by Edward Norton. I think it is just perfect, and there is nothing about its performance that you can tweak to make it better. So this is a film that I must continue to learn from.
What was it like working with your co-star Ciara Bravo on “Cherry?”
Netherlands: Let me start by saying that it was a pleasure to work with her and get to know her. She is an incredible actress, and the film would not be half the film without the acting she gives. I remember that I was not involved in the process of selecting Emily’s character. And I remember that The Russos sent me Ciara’s audition tape two or three months before we started production. And for the first time in my career, I was so intimidated. I saw her tape and I thought, “Oh, she’s like, really good,” and I need to work harder, because she’s going to play me off-screen and nobody is going to want to follow my character. I thought the Russians were going to say, “Fuck it, Tom Holland, we’re rewriting the movie with her right now.”
I was so intimidated and we were very lucky that she was so confident. You can only imagine that she is a young actress. She is working with the two greatest directors, arguably of all time at the moment, and, and she is working on this really difficult film with the complicated subject. She was so confident, brave, talented and selfless in the way she made the film.
How did you prepare your unnamed character in “Cherry” in terms of encounters with addicts or veterans?
Netherlands: We did a lot of research. We spent a lot of time at the VA in Cleveland, and we were interviewing veterans who were suffering from PTSD and substance abuse and trying to get help. It was an incredible process because it really showed me that therapy works. That these men and women were healing and improving. We met people at the beginning of the treatment and they were really closed and didn’t feel comfortable enough to share the stories.
We had people in the middle of treatment who were reaching a stage where they were willing to open up. So some of them didn’t want to open up to a 24-year-old actor making a film. Then, people at the end of treatment who accepted their decisions and mistakes were able to recognize them. They would tell us the stories and almost tell them with pride. I think one of the big problems in our society is that if you say to someone, “I’m going to rehab,” immediately the reaction will be, “My God, that must mean that you are really confused.”
But the reaction must be: “Congratulations … this is incredible. I am very proud of you for looking for help and for recognizing that you are in trouble. “I hope this film can do that for some people. And that, maybe we can prevent some children from falling into the addiction trap in the future.
After working so hard with the Russo Brothers, do you feel like driving in the future?
Netherlands: Yes absolutely. I’ve been trying to scratch that itch for a long time. And my younger brother Harry and I wrote a script together. We managed to acquire the rights to a series of books that we loved as children. So, we’re chipping away at that. Now I have a lot more respect for the writers because it’s very difficult, man. I mean, trying to put something on the page is very, very difficult. I’d love to drive one day. We are not rushing anything because I think the project we are working on is incredible and can be quite powerful. So we want to make sure that we get it right. But hopefully, for the next five years, you’ll see Harry and me sitting in the director’s chairs screaming action.
Can you tell us something about the next “Spider-Man” movie you’re shooting?
Netherlands: Obviously, I can’t really say anything.
You can tell us what happens in the end, right?
Netherlands: [pauses] The funny thing is that I almost told you then. You were so close to getting what you wanted.
I can say that it is the most ambitious autonomous superhero film ever made. You sit down, read the script, see what they are trying to do and are succeeding. It is really impressive. I’ve never seen an independent superhero movie like this. And I’m just, you know, again, that lucky little shit who happens to be Spider-Man in it. We have a lot more footage to do. We started before Christmas and filmed for about seven weeks. We stopped for Christmas break and then started again. I’m just as excited as everyone to see him, let alone be a part of him.
What is the role of a book or series that you would really like to play?
Netherlands: I have two roles coming up and I’m going to play them in the next few years and I’m really excited, but I can’t talk about them yet. But I mean, ultimately, as a young British man who loves cinema, I would love to be James Bond. So, you know, I’m just putting it there. I look great in a suit.
Which actress are you dying to work with, but haven’t done yet?
Netherlands: I really want to work with Maggie Smith. I love her. She is so similar to English and looks so sweet. I would really love to work with Maggie Smith.
You are seeing the “Downton Abbey” universe now I see it.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay and Michael Schneider (who produces), is your only opportunity to hear lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each week, the “Prize Circuit” presents interviews with the greatest talents and creatives in cinema and TV; discussions and debates on award racing and industry headlines; and much, much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes are posted every Thursday.