Sony and Marvel Studios have found their newest Spider-Man.
Tom Holland ("The Impossible") has been cast as the web-slinger and will follow in the footsteps of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The franchise is receiving a reboot after Garfield's "Amazing Spider-Man" series petered out following a disappointing second installment. Holland will make his first appearance in character in next year's "Captain America: Civil War" before getting his own solo flick in July of 2017.
Holland's casting comes after a long and competitive battle for the role with Asa Butterfield ("Ender's Game"), Judah Lewis ("Demolition"), Matthew Lintz ("Pixels"), Charlie Plummer ("Boardwalk Empire"), and Charlie Rowe ("Red Band Society").
Holland was chosen by Marvel President of Production Kevin Feige, former Sony head and current Spidey producer Amy Pascal, and "Civil War" directors Joe and Anthony Russo. The Russo brothers will also be directing the two-part "Avengers: Infinity Wars" films in which Spider-Man will likely have a role.
Marvel and Sony were determined to find a qualified teenager for the role as the reboot will begin with Peter Parker in high school. With contracts for the main Avengers actors (Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, etc.) coming to a close in the near future, Marvel likely wanted a young actor that could be a presence in the MCU for the next decade. Sony also hopes to reinvigorate the box office excitement in the Spider-Man franchise after the less-than-expected returns of "Amazing Spider-Man 2."
The reboot will be directed by Joe Watts ("Cop Car") who is receiving praise at Sundance.
