The search for the new man under the spidey mask is complete. Deadline reports that actor Tom Holland will take over for Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man now that the franchise is being integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He’ll be directed by Jon Watt, who has also signed on to the project.
With Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Studios teaming up for yet another Spider-Man reboot (and hopefully the last for the foreseeable future), finding a leading man who’s got what it takes to fill Garfield’s shoes was absolutely necessary. Producer Amy Pascal acknowledged the importance of the decision, saying, “Sony, Marvel, Kevin and I all knew that for Peter Parker, we had to find a vibrant, talented young actor capable of embodying one of the most well-known characters in the world.”
They seem to think they’ve found their guy, as Holland was picked after a worldwide search and two screen tests with stars from Marvel’s cast of characters: Holland had to hold his own on-camera time with both Robert Downey Jr. (aka Iron Man) and Chris Evans (aka Captain America). This wasn’t Holland’s first time sharing the screen with big names, though; he starred in 2012’s The Impossible with Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. His resume also includes a stint playing Billy Elliot in the musical version in his native England.
Up first for Holland will be Captain America: Civil War, set for release on May 6, 2016. He’ll swing right into the MCU, joining a movie that has already begun filming. It’s unclear how big of a role he’ll actually play, especially with the superhero film already crowded, but it should be a good way for him to learn from Marvel vets. It won’t be long, after all, before he’s headlining his own movie. Still untitled, the next Spider-Man installment is scheduled to hit theaters on July 28, 2017.
