When Superheroes Fall: Lessons from Tom Holland’s On-Set Concussion

Even superheroes aren’t immune to real-world injuries. On September 19, Tom Holland sustained a mild concussion during filming of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He was treated at a hospital, released the same day, and filming paused for about a week. The release date remains unchanged, but the incident underscores how fragile production schedules can be when health and safety are compromised.

What Happened

Reports confirm Holland’s concussion occurred during a stunt. Standard medical response protocols were followed: immediate hospital evaluation, short-term rest, and gradual return to set.

Impact to Production

Even a “mild” concussion triggered:

• ~1 week of production downtime

• Costly rescheduling of crew, equipment, and stage time

• Heightened attention on safety protocols

For a blockbuster budget, these pauses translate into hundreds of thousands in lost time—even if insurance absorbs part of the cost.

What Was in Place

Articles mention only high-level protocols, but based on industry standards, resources likely included:

• Stunt coordination and rigging oversight

• On-set medics and EMS access

• Hospital transport plan

Yet even with these resources, injuries happen. Which means prevention and rapid triage are the true differentiators.

How It Could Be Prevented

From an entertainment-medicine lens, Holland’s incident highlights clear opportunities for productions:

• Pre-Stunt Neuro & Fatigue Screens: Simple baseline checks catch red flags before action is called.

• Concussion Protocol Kits: On-site tools + escalation trees streamline decision-making.

• “Green-Light” Checklists: Shared accountability between stunts, ADs, and medical.

• No “One More for Safety” Rule: Stop after any unplanned head contact.

• Lead Actor Risk Policies: Backup scheduling to minimize downtime.

Why This Matters for Productions

Time is money. A week-long pause—even for a minor injury—disrupts not only the current film but also marketing rollouts, VFX pipelines, and sequel scheduling.

OnSite BodyWorx exists to bridge the gap between standard medic coverage and proactive injury prevention. By embedding concussion protocols, pre-performance screening, and rapid recovery stations on set, we help keep productions moving without sacrificing safety.

Final Takeaway

Tom Holland’s concussion is a reminder: behind every superhero costume is a human body—and human risk. For producers, UPMs, and stage managers, investing in specialized on-set wellness is more than safety. It’s insurance for your schedule, your budget, and your people.