Alright, pencils down. The Spider-Man casting test is over. In an official press release from Sony Pictures, the studio has decided to go with Andrew Garfield as the new Spider-Man. Garfield takes over a franchise that has collectively grossed more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box office. The next Spider-Man adventure will web-sling its way into theaters on July 3, 2012.
Garfield, who played a supporting role in Heath Ledger’s final film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, beat out various, more recognizable young stars to win the coveted role of Peter Parker in Sony’s reboot of Spider-Man, and Director Marc Webb couldn’t be happier with the choice.
“Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”
Producer Avi Arad also gushed about the British actor. “I’m incredibly excited about Andrew Garfield. In the Spider-Man tradition, we were looking for a smart, sensitive, and cool new Peter Parker who can inspire us and make us laugh, cry, and cheer. We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”
Garfield’s latest project is with director David Fincher on the upcoming film The Social Network. He also recently worked with Spike Jonze in the robotic love story I’m Here; as well as the lead role in Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go, opposite Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan.
All these credentials, no doubt, helped him get to the part that will skyrocket him into the homes and minds of many, as you can’t get much bigger than becoming Spider-Man.
The Pulse: I think this is perfect. When I saw all the nominees for Peter Parker/Spider-Man I was underwhelmed. There were a couple of the young actors who I thought could pull it off, but other choices just seemed just wrong, and gave off zero Spider-sense.
When I heard a blip about Andrew Garfield being thought about for the role, I instantly thought, “He’s your man.” After seeing him in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, you can see he’s got a charismatic vibe to him, and an aura that just screams ‘hero, but with uncertainty/baggage’ which is how Spider-Man starts out. He’s the perfect choice to balance great power and great responsibility, and I think Sony hit it spot on.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Raimi’s work, and Tobey Maguire was a great Parker/Spider-Man, though we’ve got to move on, and what better way to do that then with the knowledge that the key piece to the entire puzzle is a perfect fit.
What do you guys think, did they get it right, or did Sony drop the ball again? Does this have you more excited about the new story hitting theaters in 2012, or did it just underline the fact that you’ll stay away (even though we all know you’ll be there with the rest of us)?
