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‘It Totally Didn’t Work’ – Tom Holland and Zendaya ‘Hated’ an Early Cut of Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland has revealed that he, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon "hated" an early cut of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, after test screening notes were incorporated into a version of the film that changed its direction. Speaking on the podcast Quotable, Holland explained that a cut built around audience feedback failed to match the cast and crew's creative vision, even though it delivered what test viewers had asked for. The anecdote highlights the sometimes fraught relationship between studio test screenings and a filmmaking team's original intentions, and offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the blockbuster took shape before release.
Holland said the team watched numerous cuts during post-production, describing one version built entirely from test-audience notes as something that "totally didn't work" despite giving people what they'd requested. He added that the experience ultimately proved instructive, helping shape a final version more aligned with the filmmakers' vision. Spider-Man: Brand New Day, due for release on 31 July 2026, currently holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is expected to post the biggest opening weekend of 2026; IGN's own review scored the film 7/10.
In short
- Holland, Zendaya and Batalon disliked a test-audience-driven cut of the film
- The feedback-heavy version "totally didn't work" creatively, Holland says
- Film holds 91% on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its 31 July 2026 release
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Test screenings can reveal where a film is confusing or unsatisfying to viewers, and responding to that feedback may make a story more accessible to its intended audience. Even when one feedback-led cut fails, the process can help filmmakers identify which suggestions serve the film and refine a version that better connects with viewers.
The case against
A test audience’s requests may reflect immediate preferences rather than the coherence or originality of the film as a whole. Following those notes too closely can pull a project away from its creative vision, producing a version that satisfies individual requests but feels less effective overall.
Explained simply
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an upcoming blockbuster film scheduled for release in July 2026, featuring Tom Holland as Spider-Man alongside actors Zendaya and Jacob Batalon. Like most major Hollywood films, the production underwent test screenings during post-production, where selected audiences watch early versions and provide feedback to help shape the final product.
During post-production, the filmmaking team created multiple versions of the film. One version was built almost entirely from the comments and suggestions given by test audiences. However, this particular cut—despite delivering the feedback viewers had requested—did not sit well with the core creative team, who found it misaligned with their original vision for the story.
The situation illustrates a common tension in blockbuster filmmaking: balancing what audiences say they want with what filmmakers believe serves the story best. The team ultimately chose to refocus the film around their creative intentions rather than adhering solely to test-screening notes, offering a rare glimpse into the decision-making that shapes major Hollywood productions before they reach cinemas.
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