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The announcement that Tom Holland will be returning for a fourth Spider-Man film has sparked a range of reactions from fans and critics alike. While many express excitement or curiosity, others are questioning whether this iteration of Peter Parker truly captures the essence of what it means to be Spider-Man. Having grown up with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's portrayals, I share a personal connection that makes it difficult to fully embrace Holland’s Spider-Man as the definitive version. But why does Holland’s take feel different? What blocks that sense of authenticity many associated with earlier portrayals? To understand this, we need to explore the core characteristics that define Spider-Man and how they are represented—or absent—in Holland’s version.