Tom Holland had a pretty big 2016, what with his memorable appearance as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the worldwide smash Captain America: Civil War. Holland definitely made an impression in Civil War, especially in his scenes with the always-entertaining Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, and hopes are high that the young Brit can build off that momentum in this summer's Spider-Man: Homecoming.
The recent trailer for the film gave us a glimpse of where Holland and Peter Parker/Spidey are headed in the near future (with Tony Stark along for the ride), and all indications are that Marvel has picked the right actor to fill Spidey's sticky shoes. In the meantime, Holland is basking in the glow of his new-found stardom and picking up some award nominations to help fill out that resume.
According to THR, Holland is among five performers named BAFTA Rising Star nominees in 2017. The list also includes Ruth Negga (Loving), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch), Lucas Hedges (Manchester By the Sea) and Laia Costa (Victoria). Previous winners of the Rising Star award include John Boyega, who picked up a trophy after playing Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Bane actor Tom Hardy, Twilight actress Kristen Stewart, and James McAvoy, who like Holland has made a big splash in superhero movies, playing Professor Xavier in three X-Men films.
If Tom Holland wants the Rising Star BAFTA, he's going to have to beat out some stiff competition. Of the five nominees for Rising Star, Ruth Negga would seem to be the one getting the most award buzz overall this season, with her performance in the critically-acclaimed Loving. And don't forget that Negga was also amazing as the crazy dog-murdering Tulip in the AMC show Preacher. Anya Taylor-Joy's performance in The Witch has also gotten a ton of good reviews, and don't overlook Lucas Hedges whose Manchester By the Sea is an awards season heavyweight. Holland has the advantage of playing a popular character in a big-time blockbuster, and that's important when you consider that the Rising Star award is decided by online poll.
Though several BAFTA Rising Star recipients have gone on to bigger and better things after winning the award, not everyone who picked up that trophy has necessarily lived up to the label. Noel Clarke won the award in 2009, beating out the likes of Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Hall and Michael Cera, and though he still has a career in acting, he isn't exactly an A-list star. In 2015, the field included Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, but the BAFTA went to Unbroken star Jack O'Connell, who has not reached the same level of fame as his competition in the years since.
The BAFTA awards may not be a huge thing in America but for Tom Holland, a native of the U.K., it is surely a big deal to be up for his country's version of the Oscar. If Holland does take home the prize, he's hoping his career takes a path similar to McAvoy or Hardy and remain high-profile for years to come. The Rising Star winner will be announced at the BAFTAs on February 12, 2017.
Source: THR
