Is Nolan’s Odyssey the Real Reason Spider-Man Swung Out of Avengers: Doomsday?

When Marvel Studios unveiled the much-anticipated cast for Avengers: Doomsday during a nearly five-hour livestream on March 26, 2025, fans were quick to notice one glaring omission: Tom Holland, the beloved Spider-Man, was absent from the list. Given his pivotal role in previous Avengers films like Infinity War and Endgame, his absence from the massive ensemble cast raised many questions among fans and industry insiders alike.

A Surprising Omission

The revelation that Holland would not be joining the star-studded cast of Avengers: Doomsday, which includes Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, caught many by surprise. As highlighted by Newsweek and other entertainment outlets, Spider-Man’s presence seemed almost inevitable in the MCU’s ongoing Multiverse Saga, making his absence all the more puzzling. With 27 other stars confirmed, the mystery deepened, leaving fans speculating on the reasons behind the decision.

Tom Holland’s Commitment to The Odyssey

While the true reasons behind Holland’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday remain largely speculative, a significant factor appears to be his involvement in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated The Odyssey. Holland is currently filming the epic, which is set to release in July 2026. The film, a modern adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, reportedly has a $250 million budget, marking Nolan’s most expensive project to date. Set photos from March 2025 show Holland in Italy, portraying a character likely to be Telemachus, alongside co-stars like Matt Damon and Zendaya. Given the film’s scale and complexity, Holland’s commitment to The Odyssey is not something that can be easily set aside.

The Scheduling Conflict

The production schedules of both films reveal a significant overlap that may explain why Holland couldn’t join Avengers: Doomsday. According to GamesRadar+, the production of Avengers: Doomsday began in March or April 2025 in London and is expected to run through the summer, concluding in August 2025. Meanwhile, The Odyssey has been filming since early 2025 in Italy, with Holland’s involvement ongoing as of March. This timing creates a clear conflict, making it unlikely that Holland could balance both high-profile projects simultaneously.

Here’s a breakdown of the production timelines for both films:

As seen in this timeline, the overlap between the two projects is significant, particularly during the first half of 2025. The demands of The Odyssey, a massive and high-budget project, likely made it difficult for Holland to commit to another blockbuster film like Avengers: Doomsday, which was already in full production by the time The Odyssey began filming.

Other Speculative Reasons

While the scheduling conflict is the most plausible explanation for Holland’s absence, some reports have suggested additional possibilities. For instance, some fans have speculated that Spider-Man’s identity, which was wiped from the memories of everyone except Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home, could play a role in his absence from the upcoming Avengers film. This narrative development might explain why Spider-Man has not been featured as prominently in recent MCU storylines. However, no official statements have been made by Marvel or Holland regarding this theory.

Some industry sources, including ScreenRant, have suggested that Holland’s absence could simply be a matter of scheduling conflicts and not an indication of any narrative decisions surrounding Spider-Man’s role in the MCU. These reports reinforce the idea that Holland’s commitment to The Odyssey likely took precedence, as it is a more time-consuming and demanding project.

Potential for Stunt Doubles

An intriguing possibility that has surfaced is the idea of Holland appearing in Avengers: Doomsday via stunt doubles or minor appearances, rather than playing a major role. Some sources have mentioned that stunt doubles could potentially handle some of Holland’s scenes, given the tight shooting schedule. However, given the large ensemble cast and the focus on fresh faces, it seems unlikely that Spider-Man will play a major role in this particular Avengers film.

Fan Reactions and Industry Context

Holland’s absence has not gone unnoticed among fans, with discussions swirling across platforms like Reddit and CinemaBlend. Many fans are curious about Holland’s future in the MCU, particularly with Spider-Man 4 rumored to be in development. Some speculate that Marvel may be grooming Miles Morales as the new Spider-Man for future Avengers films, although this is unconfirmed. The lack of official statements from both Marvel and Holland has left much room for interpretation.

In the grander context, Holland’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday highlights the balancing act that actors often face when juggling multiple high-profile projects. The intense scheduling demands of The Odyssey likely made it impossible for Holland to participate in another blockbuster production, especially one as time-consuming as Avengers: Doomsday.

Conclusion

While the true reasons behind Tom Holland’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday remain speculative, the most likely explanation is his current commitment to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. The overlap in production schedules for these massive projects makes it difficult for Holland to split his time between both films. As The Odyssey continues filming in Italy, Holland’s focus seems firmly set on bringing this epic adaptation to life, leaving Avengers: Doomsday to continue without Spider-Man’s involvement—for now. Fans will no doubt be eagerly awaiting updates on both Holland’s future in the MCU and his highly anticipated role in Nolan’s film.