For the next "Spider-Man" movie, the actor to play the role of Peter Parker/Spider-man would be Tom Holland. According to a report from comicbook.com, the 19-year-old would be the webslinger, at least for the next movie, after three movies by Tobey Maguire and two by Andrew Garfield.
Holland is an English-born actor best known for his role as the lead in Billy Elliot the Musical in the Victoria Palace Theater in London. His acting credits include "The Impossible" and the TV mini-series "Wolf Hall," where he played George Cromwell.
According to Sony Executive Amy Pascal, "Sony, Marvel, Kevin and I 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."
Pascal's sentiment was echoed by Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group Chairman Tom Rothman, who said, "It's a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job. The Marvel process is very thorough and that's why their results are so outstanding. I'm confident Spider-Man will be no exception. I've worked with a number of up and coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is such an outstanding talent. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom's screen tests were special. All in all, we're off to a roaring start."
Part of the Marvel process is seeking the advice of the creator of Spider-Man, the venerable Stan Lee. In a report from theguardian.com, when asked about the recent leaks of restrictions for the Spider-Man brand set in the new Marvel and Sony Pictures agreement, he said, "I wouldn't mind, if Peter Parker had originally been black, a Latino, an Indian or anything else, that he stay that way. But we originally made him white. I don't see any reason to change that."
As for the character's sexuality, the comic icon added, "I think the world has a place for gay superheroes, certainly. But again, I don't see any reason to change the sexual proclivities of a character once they've been already established. I have no problem with creating new, homosexual heroes."
The new "Spider-Man" is set to hit theaters in IMAX and 3D on July 28, 2017 and would be directed by "Cop Car" director Jon Watts, according to a report from marvel.com.
