Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you know that Spiderman is back where he belongs at Marvel, although Sony will still hold the power on final decision making. Corporate greed aside, this is a huge win for Spidey fans and comic book fans in general. But with a change of scenery comes the change of a hero- as Andrew Garfield will not be back in the suit for the upcoming movies. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been told I look like him, but I loved Garfield’s portrayal as the web-slinger and thought he was more than adequate to continue his role. However, finding a new actor to play Peter Parker is necessary to keep things in check within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With that in mind, here are a few names that I think would be perfect for good ol’ Web Head:
Honorable Mention: Donald Glover
Way back in 2011 when a second Spiderman film series was in development, fans clamored for Glover to get the part, and in doing so sparked a huge internet campaign to get him the job. As we all know that didn’t happen, as Glover has gone on to star in Community and find success as an artist, becoming Childish Gambino. Since then, Miles Morales, an African-American version of Spiderman, has become very popular within the comic book community.While it’s already confirmed that this new film would feature Peter Parker- if Morales were ever considered to come to theaters, the man otherwise known as Bino would be the best choice. Casting Glover would be a departure from the previous films- distancing these new films and giving audiences a fresh new take on a tried and true formula. Although he’s certainly older than a high school teen, Glover’s comedic timing and acting chops, as well as his relevancy in today’s pop culture would make him an ideal fit.
#4 Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Even though Marvel is supposedly looking for a teenager-esque actor to fill the suit of Spidey, if they went with an older college approach Gordon-Levitt would be perfect. Like most of the choices on this list, he knows how to handle both drama and action, as evidenced by his roles in 500 Days of Summer and The Dark Knight Rises. In the latter, he played Robin, but that was only teased at the very end, highly disappointing many including myself. There’s just something extremely likable about Gordon-Levitt and his appeal as Spidey would be obvious from the start. His screen presence and ability to nail any type of scene thrown at him are just some of the many reasons for why he should play an older Peter Parker if Marvel ever goes in that direction.
#3 Taron Egerton
This up-and-coming star appears in Kingsman: The Secret Service and would already be familiar to the action movie genre. He would also bring the street-smart, witty, and rugged approach to Peter Parker that would make a middle-class kid from Queens all the more believable. He’s voiced his desire to play the superhero before, telling MTV, “If I could play any superhero….my favourite is Spider-Man. Andrew Garfield is wonderful at doing it to the point I don’t think I should play it.” The only thing left is for Egerton to shed his English accent and in take on a Queens one, then he’d certainly be a good Spidey.
#2 Logan Lerman
With the new Spiderman films rumored to be going back to high school, the Perks of Being a Wallflower star would play a great Peter Parker. He showed in Perks that he shines in dramatic situations and can create a strong emotional bond with the viewer. Plus, he knows how to handle being the center-point of a franchise due to his role in the Percy Jackson series. If the new films retread the classic origin story, Logan’s reaction to Uncle Ben’s death, his romantic relationships, and his attachment to Aunt May could be the best we’ve seen from all Spiderman films. He would would make Spidey easy to root for throughout his tenure, and his role alongside Brad Pitt in Fury proved he can handle tough action sequences as well. I definitely wouldn’t be disappointed if Lerman got the part.
#1 Dylan O’Brien
Dylan O’ Brien would without a doubt make the best Spiderman out of all possible names. Before I say anything else, do yourself a favor and check out this video:
Convinced yet? O’Brien would bring all the charm, charisma, comedic timing, and presence that Peter Parker is known for. Just imagine him making quick quips at villains before dodging their frustration-fueled attacks, or haggling with J. Jonah Jameson over his paycheck. He would work as both Spiderman AND Peter Parker- something that Garfield did so well. That balance between the two is what Marvel should look for first when choosing the next Spiderman. Recent rumors have suggested that Marvel is deciding between either Lerman or O’Brien, but if it were up to me I’d pick the latter any day.
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