Marisa Tomei says watching Tom Holland and Zendaya ‘grow up’ and ‘fall in love’ was her favorite part of Spider-Man

Marisa Tomei was a proud aunt — Aunt May — as she gushed over her younger costars, Tom Holland and Zendaya, in the latest live-action Spider-Man films, over the weekend.

“I think some of the favorite things were really just watching Tom and Zendaya grow up and watching them fall in love… and seeing their phenomenal talent,” Tomei answered a question about her favorite part of working on Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy during a panel at Fan Expo 2024 in Toronto. “Just being, like, blown away from the the get-go… I mean, I’m blown away.”

She added, “Some people are just meant for it, and they are meant for it.”

Tomei had more to say about Holland, who played Spidey and his alter ego Peter Parker, and Zendaya, who portrayed the superhero’s love interest, Michelle “MJ” Jones.

“They carry enormous, enormous star power, enormous power and they manage to be real people at the same time and and just, they’re multitalented,” the Oscar winner continued. “They can do everything! They sing, they dance, they act, they do stunts, they design fashion. I mean, what are they not doing? They’re incredible, incredible people.”

The trio starred in three Marvel movies together: 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, and 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. The franchise has grossed over $1.5 billion at the box office.

When the first movie premiered, Holland was 21, while Zendaya was just 20, although already quite accomplished in her career, unbeknownst to the powers that be.

Holland and Zendaya, in particular, bonded on the set and confirmed their relationship in 2021.