When Marvel Studios released its animated anthology series What If...?, fans noticed a glaring absence. While major characters were voiced by their original cinematic counterparts, Peter Parker was played by voice actor Hudson Thames instead of Tom Holland. This casting choice sparked widespread confusion across social media. Many viewers wondered why Marvel couldn't secure their live-action web-slinger for a simple voiceover role.
The primary reason Tom Holland didn't voice Spider-Man in What If...? comes down to corporate legal boundaries and complex intellectual property agreements between Disney and Sony Pictures. While Marvel Studios produces the live-action MCU films featuring the character, Sony owns the exclusive film and media rights to Spider-Man. Navigating these overlapping jurisdictions requires strict contract terms that don't automatically extend to Disney's internal animation projects.
The Sony and Disney Rights Agreement
To understand why Holland was absent, you have to look at the unique arrangement struck between Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios back in 2015. Sony purchased the film rights to Spider-Man in the late 1990s and has retained them ever since. When Marvel integrated Peter Parker into the MCU starting with Captain America: Civil War, a multi-movie deal was forged. Under this pact, Sony finances and distributes the standalone Spider-Man films, while Marvel Studios creative team handles production.
Animated projects operate under entirely different legal umbrellas. Sony retains separate animation rights for certain iterations of the character, which led to the creation of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse franchise. When Disney developed What If...? as an exclusive streaming series for Disney+, the existing live-action agreement did not cover television animation. Securing Holland would have required a completely separate negotiation, distinct contract riders, and fresh financial terms with Sony. Entertainment Weekly has analyzed this critical issue in extensive detail.
Contractual Limitations on Voice Acting
Even if Disney and Sony wanted to make it happen, talent contracts in Hollywood are notoriously rigid. Movie stars sign agreements tied specifically to theatrical releases, promotional tours, and designated sequels. Voice acting for television series—especially animated anthologies produced by a rival studio division—falls outside standard live-action talent riders.
Furthermore, voice recording for the first season of What If...? took place around 2019, right when negotiations between Disney and Sony over the future of the character nearly collapsed entirely. Following the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home, the two studios reached an impasse before hammering out a new deal for Spider-Man: No Way Home. During a period of intense corporate friction, executing a side agreement to bring Holland into an animated streaming show wasn't a priority for the legal teams involved.
How Hudson Thames Landed the Role
With Tom Holland legally and logistically unavailable, Marvel casting directors had to find someone who could capture the youthful energy and distinct cadence of the MCU's Peter Parker. Enter Hudson Thames, a young actor and singer who stepped in to voice the zombie-fighting webslinger in the fifth episode of the first season, "What If... Zombies?!".
Thames didn't try to deliver a flat impression. Instead, he leaned into the earnest, high-stakes panic that defined Holland's early performances in Homecoming. Fans responded positively to the interpretation, proving that an accurate vocal match could sustain the emotional weight of an alternate timeline without needing the original actor on record. Thames later reprised the role in subsequent seasons, establishing himself as the definitive voice of that specific variant.
Other Live-Action Actors Who Sat Out
Holland wasn't the only major star missing from the animated lineup. The nature of television voice work and scheduling conflicts meant several prominent MCU actors couldn't reprise their roles:
- Robert Downey Jr. did not return to voice Tony Stark, leading to a standout performance by veteran voice actor Mick Wingert.
- Chris Evans stepped aside, allowing Josh Keaton to voice Steve Rogers across multiple gritty alternate realities.
- Scarlett Johansson did not voice Natasha Romanoff in the early episodes, though Lake Bell stepped in seamlessly before other scheduling shifts occurred.
- Benedict Cumberbatch and Chadwick Boseman, however, did return to voice their respective heroes, showing that participation varied heavily on a case-by-case basis depending on actor availability and contract riders.
The transition from live-action blockbusters to animation is rarely straightforward. While fans naturally prefer continuity, the intricate web of studio ownership ensures that corporate boundaries often dictate casting choices just as much as creative vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Tom Holland ever voice Spider-Man in future animation?
It remains legally complicated. Because Sony controls the animation rights for major Spider-Man theatrical and television properties, any future appearances by Holland in an animated format would require explicit clearance and co-production terms between Disney and Sony.
Who voiced Spider-Man in What If...?
Actor and musician Hudson Thames voiced Peter Parker across multiple episodes of the Disney+ animated series, capturing the character's familiar tone.
Does Sony own all Spider-Man animation rights?
Sony holds the rights to feature-length animated films like the Spider-Verse series. Television animation rights have historically had overlapping clauses, which is why Disney has occasionally produced short-form animated series under specific licensing agreements.
Did other Marvel actors refuse to return?
Most absences were due to scheduling conflicts, pandemic-era recording hurdles, or contractual boundaries rather than outright refusal. Many key actors, including Chadwick Boseman and Tom Hiddleston, eagerly returned to voice their animated counterparts.
