After months of speculation, false-guesses and Atlanta screen tests, the Marvel Cinematic Universe have finally found the actor who will play their version of Peter Parker in a trilogy of solo films on top of numerous MCU appearances.
The announcement on Marvel's website was as follows:
Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios are proud to announce that after a full worldwide casting search, Tom Holland will play Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the next Spider-Man film, in theaters in IMAX and 3D on July 28, 2017. The film will be directed by Jon Watts, director of "Cop Car," the upcoming thriller that made its debut earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
Marvel and Sony Pictures, and producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal conducted an extensive search for both the actor and the director. The studios and producers were impressed by Holland’s performances in "The Impossible," “Wolf Hall,” and the upcoming "In the Heart of the Sea," and by a series of complex screen tests. Following Marvel’s tradition of working with the brightest next wave of directors, Watts also went through multiple meetings with Feige, Pascal, and the studio, before winning the job.
After a casting search which seemed to take an age, the new Marvel/Sony agreement finally found their web-slinger in the form of 18 year old Brit Tom Holland. When it came down to the final list of candidates it was clear that both studios were looking for young talent willing to be locked down on a contract which will see him appear in a minimum of 6 movies within the next 7 years. Fan favourites Dylan O'Brien and Logan Lerman were nowhere to be seen, and Asa Butterfield became the new favourite to the point where only confirmation was needed. The deal fell through, and the role has been given to Holland.
This news is music to my ears. We've known since early February that Spiderman was going to appear in the MCU alongside characters like Captain America and Iron Man, but only now does this feel like a proper reality to me as I can finally put a face to the MCU's Peter Parker. The reason why I am more overjoyed with that and not the actual casting is because the only thing I have ever seen him in was Locke, and that was a voice performance (by the way Locke is a severely under-rated film you must see). I haven't seen Wolf Hall and the Impossible came out around 2012/13 awards season and I missed it. I have no idea what he is like as a performer, but I trust in Marvel that they have found the right guy.
Kevin Feige as gone on record saying that his vision for Spiderman will be the most wise-cracking, joke-making, witty Spiderman we have ever seen. My only concern with this casting (which would've been exactly the same for any other young actor they could've cast) is whether Holland can deliver on the comedic side of the character. Can he immerse himself into the comedy and bring to life the Peter Parker from the comic books we haven't truly seen yet? If Marvel believes in him, then so do I and I hope he absolutely crushes it.
On top of this announcement was the signing on of Jon Watts as the director of Spiderman's first solo outing, scheduled for a July 28th 2017 release date, chronologically fitting in after Guardians 2 and before Thor: Ragnarok. The situation I have here is exactly the same as with Tom Holland, I have never seen any of Jon Watt's previous work. Therefore I can't make a fair and an informed judgement. But, I had the same situation with both the Russo brothers who went on to direct Captain America: The Winter Soldier and James Gunn who gave us Guardians. Marvel has a track record of hiring directors who are up-and-coming with huge amounts of talent. They tend not to go for the obvious star directors as they need people who will happily comply with their overall vision but who will also give their all when it comes to creating a solid and enjoyable film.
What this casting also confirms to me is that we will be seeing Spiderman in Captain America Civil War. I doubt his role will be as it is in the comics, that role I think will be given to Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther. Instead, I believe that Spiderman's role will be small but by the end of the film he will be Tony Stark's new protégé, leading on to his solo adventure.
What do you think of the casting choice as well as the choice of director? How do you think he will be integrated into the MCU during Civil War? And, what villain do you want to see Spiderman come up against during his first solo movie? My choice would be between Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk (a man can dream), Mysterio or Doctor Octopus.
Thanks for reading,
Matt
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