Everybody has those urges to seem "cool" to those around them, from the smallest children to the most grizzled adults. But it turns out that feeling extends even to famous actors who regularly enjoy the adoration of millions. At least, that's the vibe Tom Holland says he felt while filming the upcoming Uncharted film.
In an interview regarding the warily anticipated movie, Holland spoke about some of the internal hardships that came with bringing a now-classic video game character to life. Playing the cocky adventurer Nathan Drake, Holland admitted he may have focused too much on appearing as an idealized image of himself rather than on the actual character, at least at various sections. Apparently, even worldwide fame can't dampen that very human urge to always question one's own self-worth. Considering Holland views the character as a cross between Indiana Jones and James Bond, perhaps it's not completely surprising.
"At times, it was less about land a mark and go through this scene and more about land a mark, stand like this and see my bulging biceps," Holland explained, detailing his thought process regarding Drake's character vs. his own image. "It was a mistake and is something that I will probably never do again." This sort of introspection really drives home just how personal acting can be. While some stars have gotten to the point where they can completely detach themselves from any given role, others get intimately involved, which can end up enhancing the performance to a surprising degree.
Holland made waves when he was first announced as the lead in Uncharted, and that buzz has remained consistent since then. Similar chatter has surrounded the film since Mark Wahlberg came on to the project as Drake's mentor Victor "Sully" Sullivan, particularly stemming from the fact that Wahlberg was initially visualized in the lead role way back when the film was first being discussed. The movie has also gone through several directors over the decade that the idea of an Uncharted feature has been bouncing around, before finally landing on Ruben Fleischer, best known for the surprise hit Venom. At this point, much of the audience's anticipation comes from sheer curiosity, it seems.
For some, hearing about Holland's insecurities may serve to further endear him to them. After all, if there's one message that the endless supply of tabloids likes to peddle, it's that celebrities are just like everyone else. Besides, being able to relate to the actor while watching a film can also help add that extra level of connection that enhances the experience all around. The only question is, will Holland take his own advice and genuinely work on avoiding similar pitfalls in the future?
The more cynical types might assume the answer is no. After all, Holland is a worldwide megastar, which means that whatever he's already doing is clearly working. So it's really up to him on a personal level whether or not a change in attitude would be worth the effort. Nobody knows how things will go for him once his days as Spider-Man are over. For everyone else, they'll just have to wait and see.
Uncharted is currently aiming for a February 11, 2022 release date.
Source: Collider