Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal shirtless handstand challenge sparks online meltdown
Actors worked together in ‘Spider-Man: Far from Home’ and have maintained a friendship since
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal have sparked a social media frenzy after posting videos of themselves putting on shirts while doing handstands.
Holland kicked off the trend on 1 April, after being nominated to do so by filmmaker and former child actor Ollie Gardner. Gardner, like Holland, played Billy Elliot in the West End musical adaptation of the film in 2008.
“Thanks @Ollieg for this one mate,” Holland wrote on his Instagram story, before climbing up a wall with his legs and slipping on a shirt.
Holland then nominated three others to take on the challenge: his Spider-Man: Far from Home co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and his school friend Harrison Osterfield.
Gyllenhaal was the first to respond, writing on his own Instagram story: “Wait, what’s the challenge??? Shirtless heavy breathing??”
Although confused, Gyllenhaal mimicked Holland’s stunt, climbing a wall with his legs and putting on his shirt.
Gyllenhaal then nominated three others to take part in the stunt: Hugh Jackman, 50 Cent and his sister, Maggie.
However, Reynolds declined Holland’s original nomination – posting to his Instagram story a video of himself looking perplexed and saying “no”.
On Twitter, many rejoiced in the shirtless spectacle.
“Protect Jake Gyllenhaal at all cost,” wrote one viewer. Another added: “Thank you Tom Holland for giving us Jake Gyllenhaal shirtless man bun content.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments