Less than a week ago, a total of 5 young actors were reportedly being shortlisted to snag the titular role of Marvel and Sony‘s “Spider-Man” reboot. The actors who were being considered for the part are Nat Wolff, Asa Butterfield, Tom Holland, Timothee Chalamet, and Liam James.
“Perks of Being a Wallflower” star Logan Lerman and “The Maze Runner” were the previous frontrunners for the role, but it seemed like the studio had a change of heart because a new report is claiming that Butterfield is the top contender to play the new Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Sony has yet to make any test offers to the shortlisted actors, but various industry sources told Latino Review that Butterfield had been Marvel’s top choice since the beginning. “Marvel had liked him since day one,” a source told LR’s Kevin Chavez.
Regarding the report, Butterfield’s agency offered “no comment” when reached by Chavez.
It came as no surprise that the studio has decided to cast a younger actor because Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige already emphasised that the reboot will focus on Peter Parker’s experiences in high school. Many believed that “The Fault in Our Stars” actor Nat Wolff would take on the role, but sources said that Butterfield emerged as the frontrunner for the role that was previously portrayed by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.
Having been acting since he was 9 years old, the now 18-year-old Butterfield is best known for his role as Hugo Cabret in award-winning film “Hugo”. He went on to star in “Ender’s Game” as the main character Ender Wiggin, alongside Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Hailee Steinfeld.
He will be seen next in “Ten Thousand Saints” and “Peregrine’s Home for Peculiars”.
If Marvel and Sony confirm that Butterfield will play Spider-Man, he is most likely going to make his first appearance as the web slinger in “Captain America: Civil War” when it hits theatres on 6th May 2016.
Image source: as-a.tumblr.com
In addition to the rumour, the next “Spider-Man” movie is reportedly going to be titled “Spider-Man: The New Avenger”. The title sounds very fitting, especially since the character is now officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Slated for release on 27th July 2017, the movie does not have a writer and a director yet. It was only rumoured that Drew Goddard will write and direct it.
What do you think of the casting rumour? Do you think Butterfield would do well as Peter Parker/Spider-Man? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.
(Sources: Latino Review, IGN / Featured image: Zimbio)