Tom Holland is opening up about starring in Christopher Nolan’s epic new film, The Odyssey, while also sharing a hilarious story about being left on read by soccer superstar Erling Haaland.
During his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Holland first celebrated England’s victory over Norway in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, saying he has a good feeling about his home country’s chances of bringing home the championship.
The conversation quickly turned to soccer star Erling Haaland, after Jimmy asked about the viral story that Holland once sent the Manchester City striker a direct message that went unanswered.
Holland admitted the story is completely true.
“Yes,” he laughed. “It was a very humbling experience and exactly the kind of thing actors need every once in a while.”
The Spider-Man star explained that he spotted Haaland while attending a Formula 1 race in Monaco and decided to “shoot his shot” by sending the football star a message, hoping they’d meet up. Unfortunately, he never received a reply.
“Not even an excuse,” Holland joked. “Nothing.”
Despite the awkward exchange, Holland had nothing but praise for Haaland, calling him “an absolute legend.”
The conversation then shifted to Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic, The Odyssey. Holland revealed he was completely caught off guard when he received the call about joining the project.
“My agents thought it was either a vampire movie or some kind of ensemble space film,” he recalled with a laugh. “It turned out to be neither.”
After flying to Los Angeles to meet with Nolan, the acclaimed director finally revealed the project’s title.
“He just said, ‘The Odyssey,'” Holland remembered. “Immediately I thought, ‘Oh no…I haven’t read it.'”
Even though he wasn’t familiar with Homer’s classic poem, Holland said he accepted the role on the spot. After reading the screenplay, he was blown away by both the story and his character.
Landing the role did require some scheduling gymnastics, however. Holland revealed that production on the next Spider-Man film had to be shifted so he could join Nolan’s movie, thanking Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman for making it possible.
Holland described filming The Odyssey as one of the most surreal experiences of his career, especially when he arrived on set in Morocco.
“I walked over a hill and it honestly felt like I’d gone back in time,” he said. “There were thousands of people in costume, hundreds of ships, and the Trojan Horse sitting in the water.”
The massive practical sets left such an impression that Holland initially wondered where the film crew was before realizing he was surrounded almost entirely by actors in full costume.
He also praised co-star Matt Damon, who portrays Odysseus and Holland’s on-screen father calling him the perfect leader on set.
“No one worked harder than Matt,” Holland said. “He always had a smile on his face.”
One unforgettable moment came while filming an intense fight sequence.
“I remember watching Matt rehearse,” Holland recalled. “I leaned over to the stunt coordinator and said, ‘Oh my God…that’s Jason Bourne.'”
Reflecting on the experience, Holland said watching veterans like Damon and Nolan at the top of their game taught him invaluable lessons as a young actor.
“They both said every movie they’ve ever made led them to this one,” he shared. “To witness that firsthand was incredible.”
Holland stars as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus (Matt Damon) and Penelope (Anne Hathaway). The film follows Odysseus’ legendary 10-year journey home after the Trojan War while his family struggles against ruthless suitors attempting to seize his kingdom.
Calling the film unlike anything he’s ever seen, Holland urged audiences to experience it on the biggest screen possible.
“If there’s one movie to get your friends together and see in theaters,” he said, “The Odyssey is that movie.”
Before wrapping up the interview, Holland shared one more funny behind-the-scenes story involving his close friend Jon Bernthal. While practicing archery for a scene, Bernthal became so focused on hitting the target that his shooting form started looking more like Cupid than a fearless warrior.
“I finally had to tell him, ‘The audience can’t see where the arrow lands you just look like an idiot,'” Holland joked, leaving both the audience and Jimmy Kimmel in stitches.
Images via Todd O
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