Mike Fleming at Deadline is reporting Sony appears to be inching closer to casting a lead for its upcoming 3D Untitled Spider-Man Reboot. Word is Columbia execs began reviewing screen tests on Friday (6/25) and while the possibility that more candidates could be thrown into the race remains, here’s the long list of actors currently in the running:
To me, Yelchin seems like a no-brainer to play the young Peter Parker for (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb. He roamed the halls as a high school outsider very nicely in Charlie Bartlett and has certainly become acclimated with working on a massive franchise movie after his role as Chekov in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek. My only concern might be his age, as he’ll be 23 by the film’s targeted July 3, 2012 release date.
Then again, studio execs have never shied away from casting 20-somethings in teenaged roles. Hell, Ralph Macchio was 22-years-old when he starred as a high schooler in the first Karate Kid and James Dean was well into his 20s when he filmed his now-legendary role as a certain rebellious teen.
Even by that logic, I’d still consider Jamie Bell far too old for the part (he’s already 24). I’ve always seen him as more of a villain type anyway. Who knows, maybe he’ll end up with a role as a baddie in the film or in a sequel… not to be one to typecast or anything.
There’s also the question of whether Yelchin would be able to, or even want to, handle the demands of simultaneously working in two tent pole franchises, as a Star Trek sequel has already been announced for the summer of 2012.
Anyway, we can expect production to begin before the end of the year and for Webb to begin casting the supporting roles as soon as they decide on a lead.
What do you think? Has Sony cornered the marked on potential Peter Parkers, or are they overlooking a possible strong candidate? My inner “True Blood” fanatic can’t help but think Allan Hyde would be a strong sleeper choice to play a young Spidey. That is, if Webb and company are willing to take a chance on a more unknown actor. He certainly looks heroic enough for it.
