James Gunn’s Casual Dismissal Fuels Fan Theories About Tom Holland in the DCU

When Spider‑Man: Brand New Day smashed the box office, it didn’t just make headlines; it sparked a whole new round of “what‑if” chatter among DC fans. The big question? Could Tom Holland ever trade his web‑slingers for a cape in the DC Universe?

It turns out the question isn’t just fan‑made gossip. Over the weekend James Gunn, the man steering the DCU’s next wave of movies and shows, took to Threads to brag about the solid performance of his upcoming Coyote vs. Acme. One sharp‑eyed commenter seized the moment, asking, “Will Tom Holland have a DCU role in the future? I can see him as either Beast Boy, Kid Flash, Speedy, Aqualad, one of the Robins, Kyle Rayner, Brainiac 5, or Mon‑El.”

Gunn’s reply was characteristically breezy: “Not sure 30‑year‑old Tom wants to follow up Spider‑Man with Aqualad.” He wasn’t outright closing the door, but the tease was enough to set the internet ablaze.

Fans responded with a flood of suggestions. One user quipped, “So… you are not saying no,” while another pitched Nightwing as a more fitting follow‑up to Holland’s Spider‑Man. A few even mashed up Spider‑Man and Superman in fan‑art, dreaming of an unlikely partnership.

Not all the ideas were serious. Someone tossed out “Make him Damien Wayne for s—s and giggles,” and another joked, “Show him the suit. It worked for Vinnie Chase.” The comment section quickly became a mix of earnest speculation and tongue‑in‑cheek memes—exactly the kind of lively debate you’d expect when a beloved actor’s future hangs in the balance.

While the DCU is still finding its footing, a name like Holland would bring a built‑in audience, even if it might ruffle a few feathers among purists who crave fresh faces. At this point, the only thing we know for sure is that Gunn hasn’t ruled out the possibility entirely, and the fan community isn’t about to stop dreaming.

Will we ever see Tom Holland swing through a DC skyline? Only time—and perhaps a few more witty Threads replies—will tell.