We knew this time would be coming soon, and indeed it’s here: the first shortlist of contenders for the
new Spider-Man movie has arrived. Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios are teaming up on the upcoming reboot, with Marvel’s
Kevin Feigeproducing the standalone effort for release in 2017. But before that, the new Spider-Man is poised to make his debut in the MCU film
Captain America: Civil War, which starts filming next week—hence the hurry to cast the new Spidey.
Per
The Wrap,
Nat Wolff (
The Fault in Our Stars),
Asa Butterfield (
Ender’s Game),
Tom Holland (
The Impossible),
Timothee Chalamet (
Interstellar), and
Liam James(
The Way Way Back), are among the young actors that are under consideration to play the new Spider-Man. Marvel and Sony are wanting to go younger with this iteration of the superhero, as evidenced by the various actors mentioned above; they range in age from 18 to 20.
The studios are still in the early stages of the casting process and the report notes that these actors have
not received test offers just yet, but Sony (which has final casting approval) is preparing to make those offers next week with screen tests to follow in the ensuing weeks. Spidey’s scenes for
Civil War aren’t being shot until June, but the studios need plenty of time to hammer out what’s sure to be a very involved contract for the actor that lands the role—not only will he be set to star in his own
Spider-Man films for Sony, but he’ll be a key part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a supporting turn in
Avengers: Infinity War.
Since these actors don’t have test deals yet it’s foolish to start hedging bets and picking favorites, but it’s a fairly strong list of candidates. Holland in particular has impressed with his turn in
The Impossible as well as the British TV miniseries
Wolf Hall, and he stars opposite Thor himself
Chris Hemsworth in this December’s
In the Heart of the Sea. And Wolff is a star on the rise, leading the upcoming
John Green adaptation
Paper Towns after a supporting turn in
The Fault in Our Stars.