In 2015, Tom Holland was cast as the new Spider-Man and he got a surprising comment from Stan Lee.

Andrew Garfield’s tenure as the web-slinging hero left an indelible mark on the Spider-Man saga. His portrayal in The Amazing Spider-Man movies showcased a more introspective and emotionally charged Peter Parker.

Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in Spider-man: No Way Home (2021).
However, in 2015, Andrew Garfield was unceremoniously dropped from the role of Spider-Man after starring in two films as the iconic web-slinging superhero. Shortly thereafter, Tom Holland was hired as his replacement and made his debut as the new Spider-Man in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. And, when James Gunn introduced Holland to Marvel’s godfather Stan Lee, Holland received terrible feedback.

What Did Stan Lee tell Tom Holland When He was First Introduced?

Tom Holland was a fresh-faced newcomer with no prior experience in major Hollywood blockbusters. Holland’s introduction as Spider-Man in the MCU was nothing short of a revelation. His youthful exuberance, infectious charm, and agile physicality instantly struck a chord with audiences.
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
As per the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, when Tom Holland was for the first time introduced before none other than Stan Lee by James Gunn, Lee said something to Holland that was probably the worst comment he had ever received.

Stan Lee said: “Everyone says you are great. Personally, I don’t see it.”

However, that was for sure a joke. Holland’s boyish charisma, coupled with a genuine sense of humility and humor, brings a refreshing and authentic dimension to the character. And, Stan Lee got some nice words to say later.

Stan Lee’s Huge Praise Upon Tom Holland

Stan Lee, the comic-book legend later in a tweet said that Tom Holland is a great Spider-Man. He said that Tom Holland was the exact choice of Spider-Man how he envisioned it to be.

I think @TomHolland1996 is a great Spider-Man. He is the exact height and age I envisioned when I first wrote Spider-Man. Spidey was never supposed to be too large. How is my friend Tom doing?

— Stan Lee (@TheRealStanLee) May 19, 2018
Tom Holland as Peter Parker in a still from Spider-Man: Far From Home
Stan Lee also wrote:
“Never give up on your dreamsWhen I first wrote Spider-Man my publisher said I was crazy because people hate spiders and insects and he was not going to publish it. But I never gave up, until it was published.”
The decision to replace Andrew Garfield with Holland was initially met with some skepticism from fans, but Holland quickly proved himself to be a worthy successor to the mantle of Spider-Man.