Tom Holland is a beloved member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But before web-slinging into the picture as the very earnest and adorable Peter Parker, he auditioned for another massive franchise, and made it pretty far in the casting process. In an interview with Backstage, which we first learned about at IGN, Holland revealed he auditioned for Star Wars. Specifically, a role he thinks was Finn (who was ultimately played by John Boyega).
Sony Pictures
Holland admitted to Backstage that he has “quite a few” audition horror stories from over the years. But this standout audition nightmare for Star Wars: The Force Awakens occurred “four or five” auditions into the casting process. So where exactly did Holland’s audition go wrong? It turns out acting alongside a person pretending to be a droid is no laughing matter.
“I remember my audition for Star Wars, I was like four or five auditions in, and I think I was auditioning for John Boyega’s role,” Holland shared. “I remember doing this scene with this lady, bless her, and she was just a drone. So I was doing all of this, like, ‘We gotta get back to the ship!’ And she was going, ‘Bleep, bloop bloop, bleep bloop.’ I just couldn’t stop laughing. I found it so funny. And I felt really bad, because she was trying really hard to be a convincing android or drone or whatever they’re called. Yeah, I obviously didn’t get the part. That wasn’t my best moment.”
Sony Pictures
We can imagine that this wasn’t Holland’s best showing in the audition room. Although to be fair, I think I’d also struggle to keep a straight face. But while Holland’s destiny did not lie with befriending droids in a galaxy far, far away, it sounds like things worked out for the best. Holland’s starred in five MCU movies and is currently filming his sixth—Spider-Man’s third solo film, currently set to bow in late 2021. Plus, he’s leading another major franchise as Nathan Drake in the upcoming Uncharted movie.
Who knows—maybe we’ll eventually see Tom Holland touch down on Jakku or aboard the Millennium Falcon. Just as long as the droids are far, far away.