Jon Bernthal Takes Credit for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Casting

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors

It turns out Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland both had a little something to do with getting the other cast in their signature Marvel roles. During a recent interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the host brought up the fact that they were both part of the cast of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” currently filming, and Bernthal pointed out they both helped each other make their respective audition tapes for Marvel.

Read More: Hugh Jackman Had One Major Issue with ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’

We did [‘Pilgrimage’] about seven or eight years ago,” Bernthal said. “That was where both Tom did his audition for ‘Spider-Man’ and I did my audition for ‘Punisher.’ We actually made each other’s audition tapes on that film.”

“Pilgrimage” is an Irish medieval adventure film directed by Brendan Muldowney.

According to Bernthal, Holland was confident he would get the role and would often repeat the phrase, “I am Spider-Man” during production.

“I was like ‘There’s probably a lot of people that want to be Spider-Man,'” Bernthal said. “‘I mean, you’re super talented and all, but the odds are kind of against you, but yeah, let’s make the tape.’ He just had this belief, and when you get to know him and see how he shows up, there is a reason why he is the movie star that he is.”

Bernthal explained that Holland is very athletic in real life, and that he suggested Holland do something a little extra for the audition tape.

“I gave him the note, ‘Tom, maybe you should run up that wall and do a double backflip and then start the scene,'” Bernthal said. “And he was like, ‘Yeah, you think I should do that? That’s not too much?’ I was like, ‘I don’t think any of these other fools are able to do that,’ and he in fact did that. It’s not that I take responsibility for him, but you know, like a little something.”

Both Bernthal and Holland have gone on to not only land their respective roles, but to continue returning to them for multiple projects. Holland played Peter Parker/Spider-Man in “Captain America: Civil War,” two “Avengers” films, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” and three (soon to be four) “Spider-Man” films. In the meantime, Bernthal played Frank Castle/The Punisher in the second season of “Daredevil,” two seasons of his own series, and most recently in “Daredevil: Born Again.” He has a “Punisher” special in development for Disney+ as well.

More Comics:

Superman Teaser Offers New Look at Hawkgirl, Metamorpho

Netflix’s ‘Sandman’ Trailer Announces Release Dates for Final Season