Cast as Spider-Man
Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios announce Holland is being cast for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcoming 2017 Spider-Man adventure. The search for a lead actor was world-wide and extensive. The actor completed several complex screen tests and attended numerous meetings with studio executives, producers and other decision makers before learning he would be given the role. Producer:
We 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.
Director chosen
Watts is chosen to direct the next Spider-Man movie, in 3-D, due out in IMAX theaters July 28th 2017. Rothman:
I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent.
Spider-Man traits leaked
A 2011 legal licensing agreement between Sony Pictures and Marvel leaked by WikiLeaks includes a list of ‘mandatory’ traits for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. According to the agreement, Spider-Man must have the following characteristics:
Male; does not torture; does not kill in defense of self or others; does not use foul language beyond PG-13; does not smoke tobacco; does not sell/distribute illegal drugs; does not abuse alcohol; does not have sex before the age of 16; does not have sex with anyone below the age of 16; and is not a homosexual (unless Marvel has portrayed that alter ego as a homosexual).
Social media criticism over casting
Many fans are disappointed that the new 2017 Spider-Man movie will be made with another young, white Spider-Man behind his mask. Fans complain about Spider-Man being played by a teenage actor and the failure to use the half-black, half-Latino Spider-Man from Marvel’s alternate Ultimate Universe comics created in 2011. The terms Spider-Man, Tom Holland and Miles Morales were trending for hours after the casting announcement was made.