Let’s face it. Spider-Man is kind of a big deal. You have Superman, Batman, and then Spider-Man is the next most famous comic book character in the world. Ever since Marvel and Sony announced that they would be partnering to bring Spider-Man back to the big-screen, all the focus has been on who will be cast as the webslinger. The internet went into a panic when Marvel head Kevin Feige explained that it would be a teenage Peter Parker, played by an age-appropriate actor. That all but confirmed that Andrew Garfield had hung up the tights for good and the new incarnation of Spider-Man would truly stand out from any previous movie version.
Casting an actual teenager for the part assured that we would be getting a spunky, fun-loving Spidey, that is full of his trademark quips. However, what actor could Marvel/Sony possibly find at that age that could be trusted with not only carrying his own franchise for the next decade, but also is expected to grow into a leader of the Avengers. It was a monumental casting process and today Marvel announced that they have their new wallcrawler, actor Tom Holland.
Marvel and Sony Pictures, and producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal conducted an extensive search for both the actor and the director. The studios and producers were impressed by Holland’s performances in “The Impossible,” “Wolf Hall,” and the upcoming “In the Heart of the Sea,” and by a series of complex screen tests. Following Marvel’s tradition of working with the brightest next wave of directors, Watts also went through multiple meetings with Feige, Pascal, and the studio, before winning the job. Commenting on the announcement, Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group Chairman, said, “It’s a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job. The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding. I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception. I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special. All in all, we are off to a roaring start.”
Holland, 19, has secured the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, which he will be playing in both Sony’s solo franchise, as well as in the Marvel cinematic universe. While he doesn’t have an extensive resume, he does have some quality work in his filmography. His work in The Impossible, with Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, sticks out due to the extensive stunts and action work. It is hard to imagine a Spider-Man shoot being as mentally grueling as reenacting the devastation of a real-life tsunami disaster. Time will tell how this selection works out.
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While Spidey is expected to make his MCU debut in the currently shooting Captain America: Civil War, which also explains the timely casting announcement, he will still be headlining his own solo franchise. The next Spider-Man film will be released July 28, 2017. With a little over two years before its release, clearly the ship needs a captain and Marvel/Sony announced that upstart Jon Watts will be directing the new installment. You may be wondering who Watts is… and for good reason. He has a background with comedy and satire, directing for the Onion News Network before moving into adult thrillers, with Clown and the upcoming Cop Car. Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon, is getting rave reviews at early screenings and festivals, so surely Marvel/Sony see the potential in the young director. Here is what Sony head Tom Rothman and Marvel head Feige had to say about Watts.
“It’s a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job. The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding. I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception. I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special. All in all, we are off to a roaring start.”
Feige commented, “As with James Gunn, Joss Whedon, and the Russo brothers, we love finding new and exciting voices to bring these characters to life. We spent a lot of time with Jon and find his take and work inspiring.”
Feige’s comment is interesting because it has been thought that Marvel tries to hire directors that they can pay low, while still exerting control when needed. However, it is clear that each director has been able to put a little piece of their individual voice in each of their films. It will be interesting to see what specific traits Watts will bring to the Spider-Man franchise.
This announcement is being made because there is about to be a lot of movement in the Spider-Man franchise. A new Peter Parker is close to be introduced to the world, complete with a new Spider-Man universe with its own set of rules. This is yet another reason to look forward to the future of Marvel cinematic universe.
The new solo Spider-Man movie will be in theaters on July 28th, 2017.
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Source: Marvel