The streets of Basingstoke turned into a buzzing film set over the weekend, as Tom Holland, the face of Spider-Man, returned to action following a worrying on-set accident that briefly halted production of the franchise’s much-anticipated fourth instalment.
Locals were left doing double takes on Sunday as Holland, 29, appeared suited up as the web-slinging superhero in the heart of the Hampshire town, swinging back into action just days after suffering a nasty head injury.
The surprise filming location? The space between Fanum House and Mountbatten House is a seemingly ordinary part of Basingstoke, cleverly reimagined as gritty 1970s New York.
“I’m sorry I had to leave early, but I’m feeling better and on the mend,” Holland wrote on Instagram, reassuring fans with an update after attending a charity event hosted by his family’s organisation, The Brothers Trust.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man filming resumes
The Daily Mail reported that the former Alcoholics Anonymous HQ and the surrounding streets were transformed into a dramatic scene of chaos and action.
Residents watched on as Spider-Man, though unclear if it was Holland himself or a stunt double, slid across mats, engaged in stunts, and was pulled along the tarmac by a camouflaged army truck.
In another intense scene, the same military vehicle was seen crashing through gates, while actors dressed as armed soldiers surrounded the superhero with prop weapons in tow.
A local onlooker said, “It was wild seeing that kind of action happen right outside the shops. You don’t expect Spider-Man to just swing by Basingstoke!”
The Injury That Brought Filming to a Halt
Filming was abruptly paused earlier this month when reports emerged that Holland had suffered a concussion after a stunt went wrong at Leavesden Studios in Watford.
A snapped safety line left the actor feeling dizzy, prompting the arrival of paramedics and a brief break in production.
Sources close to the production team confirmed to Deadline that the decision to pause filming was made purely “out of precaution,” adding that Holland would return after a few days’ rest.
Spider-Man’s New Era Begins
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, was officially unveiled at CinemaCon in March. The upcoming film promises a tonal shift and a narrative reset for the franchise, following the dramatic ending of No Way Home.
“I know we left you with a massive cliffhanger at the end of No Way Home, so Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a fresh start. It is exactly that. That’s all I can say,” Holland said in a pre-recorded message shown at the event.
The film also stars Zendaya Holland’s real-life fiancée and marks one of the most high-profile collaborations between the two since their off-screen romance began.
What’s Next for Holland?
Aside from donning the red-and-blue suit again, Holland is also set to appear in The Odyssey, the upcoming epic from acclaimed director Christopher Nolan. Balancing superhero stunts and serious drama, Holland continues to prove his range despite the occasional bump on the head.
Some fans are now speculating whether the film’s title, Brand New Day, also hints at a narrative shift not just for Spider-Man, but for Holland’s role in the Marvel Universe altogether.
Either way, Basingstoke just earned its place in cinematic history, and it’s not every day that Spider-Man comes to town.
