Tom Holland Speaks Up About “Robbed” Zendaya Romance For the First Time

in Marvel

Posted on by Thomas Hitchen 3 Comments
Tom Holland (L) Zendaya (R)

Credit: Tom Holland Instagram (L) / Zendaya Instagram (R)

It’s hard to go anywhere without Spider-Man being mentioned. The third Marvel Cinematic Universe installment from director Jon Watts is set to land in theaters this December, and the hype is seemingly out of control. With rumors coming weekly, a new trailer confirming returning villains, and continued denials from actors like Andrew Garfield, the next Spidey venture is sure to draw huge audiences.

However, behind the scenes, the burgeoning romance of leading stars ignited by many dating rumors, Tom Holland and Zendaya, has also been hitting the headlines with Holland speaking out about their privacy being “robbed” back in July after those car photos.

tom holland (left) and zendaya (right) in MCU spider-man trilogy
Credit: Marvel Studios

Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) and Zendaya (MJ) will star once again in the Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures team-up, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Following up from the 2019 adventure, Spider-Man: Far From Home and the first solo Spidey outing, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Watts’ No Way Home has been the talk of the superhero town ever since Sony’s Spider-Man Universe actors were confirmed to return.

Jamie Foxx’s Max Dillon AKA Electro and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus AKA Doc Ock are set to return in the latest MCU feature. The two Spider-Man actors from their respective franchises, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012-2014) and Spider-Man (2002-2007), have also continued to be rumored to return alongside Holland’s Peter Parker.

spider-man tom holland
Credit: Marvel Studios

Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man) hasn’t weighed in on the matter but the actor was mentioned by a No Way Home star in a recent interview as well as being spotted with Zendaya in the same restaurant recently. Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man), however, has denied his suspected role in the film multiple times with Holland also stating the former two Spider-Men aren’t in No Way Home.

It’s safe to say that Holland has been an active part in the secret-keeping, speculation, and promotion of the upcoming Marvel movie. The actor recently surprised audiences at a Spider-Man fan event in Los Angeles after showing the new official trailer, sharing his joy on social media. However, the actor got also got candid with GQ Magazine and shared his feelings on his romance with the Euphoria actress. Holland said:

Aerial shot of Tom Holland and Zendaya
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

“One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world,”

Since the press captured photos and videos of Holland and Zendaya kissing in the car back in July, the two have never explicitly confirmed the romance rumors but, arguably, have made it known over the past few months. From Instagram posts to Holland gushing over Zendaya’s striking look, the two Spider-Man alum, seemingly care deeply for each other. Holland goes on to say:

Tom Holland (L) and Zendaya (R)
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

“I’ve always been really adamant to keep my private life private, because I share so much of my life with the world anyway,” […] “We sort of felt robbed of our privacy.”

“I don’t think it’s about not being ready. It’s just that we didn’t want to.”

Before Holland revealed too much, he decided to keep things to himself saying that he “[respects] her too much” and that “This isn’t [his] story. It’s [theirs]. He ends by saying: “And we’ll talk about what it is when we’re ready to talk about it together.”

Zendaya as MJ falling in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

Zendaya later told GQ via phone call:

“The equal sentiment [we both share] is just that when you really love and care about somebody, some moments or things, you wish were your own,” […] “I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other.”

zendaya as mj in spider-man homecoming
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

Aside from their high-profile Spider-Man roles, the two have a rather illustrious career. Holland will next star in Sony’s Naughty Dog Playstation game adaptation, Uncharted (2022), as a young Nathan Drake with Mark Wahlberg (Victor “Sully” Sullivan), amid his Marvel contract uncertainty. Zendaya, fresh from her Emmy win for Euphoria and leading role in Netflix’s Malcolm & Marie (2021), has most recently appeared alongside Timothée Chalamet in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune (2021).

Spider-Man: No Way Home releases December 17, 2021 (December 15 if you’re in the U.K.) and sees Holland and Zendaya joined by Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds), Marisa Tomei (May Parker), and Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan). Oh, and maybe Maguire and Garfield and Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), and Kirsten Dunst (Mary-Jane Watson) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) and…

Are you looking forward to Spider-Man: No Way Home? Let us know in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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