Casting Couch
The Future of Spider-Man is Younger, More Shia-esque
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 28, 2008

Our good friends over at Latino Review have once again uncovered some information that the average Hollywood executive would want to keep hidden in some closet next to all of the hookers. This time around, they have raided the file cabinets over at Sony Pictures to find out the Spider-Man producers Laura Ziskin and Grant Curtis are currently in the process of looking over photos of young boys to fill the tight suit of the arachnid-like hero in the upcoming fourth and fifth installments. Who are there top candidates?

The name on the top of their list is Wristcutters and Almost Famous star Patrick Fugit. The 25-year old actor is said to have the closest resemblance to Tobey Maguire. As well, he does sort of have that whole Peter Parker vibe about him. And if Fugit doesn’t take the sure-fire big payday, the prods also have a second choice…

That second choice is Snow Angels and The Forbidden Kingdom star Michael Angarano. He also has the Peter Parker vibe going to a certain extent, but would be at best a distant cousin to Tobey Maguire’s Parker. Then again, after the infamous “Jazz Club” scene, I think we can all agree that a distant relative might be the best solution for the next Spidey tale.
Overall, I am looking at these two candidates and thinking, “Man, these two guys are both Shia LaBeouf-lite.” It leads me to think that Shia might be a good fit for Spider-Man, but then I am instantly snapped back to reality by the fact that LaBeouf has his own big franchises (both Transformers and Indiana Jones) to worry about. So while Shia may work, he is going to be busy, therefore why not let his clones do the Spidey movies instead. In fact, why not have them both play Parker/Spider-Man. As our Latino friends point out, they did play the same exact character in Almost Famous, with Angarano playing the younger version of Fugit’s William.
In the end, I have realized that I am completely disinterested in this whole Spider-Man 4 and 5 situation. After the debacle that was the third movie, I don’t know if I can really get excited about a continuation of the series. If they bring back Bryce Dallas-Howard as Gwen Stacy, maybe. But otherwise I am about as interested in this as I am in whether David Archuleta’s father wears boxers or briefs. That said, I leave the debate to all of you…
Sound Off: Who do you think will make the best Spider-Man for the 4th and 5th installments?
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10 Comments
May 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I think spiderman needs a whole new facelift. Much like batman did.
That would be good.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Fugit would be perfect. After seeing the last spider-man, I’m in total agreement that a re-vamp in desperately in need. The 3rd film was brutal.
May 28th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
James McAvoy would be perfect. Wanted will prove his action ability and his acting talent is top notch. He would be to Spiderman what Downey was to Iron Man and what Bale was to Batman.
May 28th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I agree that McAvoy is amazing, but if they are going in the direction of a young spiderman then unfortunately, hiring a 30-year-old, and one who looks his age isn’t the best idea. They may as well stick with Maguire if thats the case. Especially if they are making 2 more films, add those years onto his looks, he certainly wouldn’t pass for early 20’s.
May 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I just wanna see Venom done some more justice in his next feature outing.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Neil. Neil. Neil! Oh my God. Shia LeBeouf as Peter Parker? NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
Michael Angarano would work for me, maybe. But they’re all too young. Parker was 18 when it started, but by the time most of us were reading comics he was like 24.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
maybe they could both do it, Spiderman, scarlet spider storyline.
this franchise ended after the second for me, im trying to forget the third one was ever made
May 28th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
to be honest i dont think i could jack it to any of those young boys!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be kick-ass.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Orlando Bloom wouldn’t be that bad.