Tom Holland Cast as Marvel’s Cinematic Spider-Man
By C.T. Smith
Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have cast the new Spider-Man of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After many weeks of speculations, numerous rumors of who would or would not be chosen, and a worldwide casting race, Tom Holland has been cast as the new on-screen Web-Slinger.
The 19 year old British actor and dancer starred in TV mini-series Wolf Hall as well as 2012’s The Impossible alongside Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. The fact that he’s also in the upcoming film In the Heart of the Sea with none other than Thor himself shows that he’s no stranger to working with high profile actors. Marvel reported that the studios and producers were not only impressed by Holland’s former performances, but also by his success in a “series of complex screen tests.”
Amy Pascal, a producer at Sony Pictures whose name you might have heard before, told
, “Sony, Marvel, Kevin (Feige) 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. With Tom, we’ve found the perfect actor to bring Spider-Man’s story into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
Marvel has hit some home runs in casting thus far, despite initial skepticism with actors chosen for roles such as Iron Man and Captain America, so I’d reserve any apprehension until audiences can see the new wall-crawler in action. He doesn’t really scream Peter Parker to me when I look at him, but he’s young, agile (see his Instagram for some front/backflip action), and I will hold back any judgment until I at least see some test shots of him in the new Spider-Man red and blues (however they decide to design it).
Jon Watts, a director with just 13 credits to his name including 2015’s Cop Car, has been selected to direct the new Spider-Man movie, and like James Gunn and Joss Whedon before him, Marvel has placed faith in Jon and are ready for his take on the new reboot, reboot, reboot.