Sony Pictures is on the hunt for a new Spider-Man following the announcement that the webslinger is getting another reboot just three years after Andrew Garfield started swinging around New York.
With Garfield out, TheWrap has drafted a list of nine contenders in the event that Sony sticks with Peter Parker or shakes things up and moves on to the adventures of Miles Morales, another incarnation of the superhero. Either way, this Spidey is in need of a radical reinvention, and the chosen actor will have to be able to convincingly play a high school student.
Take a look at our list and let us know who you think should play Spider-Man.
Taron Egerton (25) – The star of “Kingsman: The Secret Service” has an edgy confidence to him that gives him a leg up on other young Brits. He’s already been endorsed as Spider-Man by comic book author royalty Mark Millar, and his profile will no doubt rise thanks to upcoming movies in which he co-stars alongside Tom Hardy and Hugh Jackman. He’d also be more believable as a high school student than someone like, say, Jack O’Connell, despite being a year older than the “Unbroken” star.
Daniel Kaluuya (25) – Kaluuya is an actor who keeps coming oh-so-close to landing major roles and narrowly missing out. He’s bound to pop soon, so why not as Spider-Man? Kaluuya co-starred on “Skins” and will soon be seen in “Sicario” with Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro. But it’s his monologue in the “Fifty Million Merits” episode of “Black Mirror” that serves as proof of his considerable talent. There’s a fire inside Kaluuya and it won’t likely be long before we see him in a comic book movie of some kind … not counting his turn as the Black Death in “Kick Ass 2.”
Shameik Moore (19) – Three years ago, Donald Glover as Spidey became a global meme before Andrew Garfield was cast as Peter Parker. On Tuesday, #DonaldForSpiderman was trending on Twitter. Glover’s a gifted comic actor and has voiced an animated Spider-Man before, but at 31, he’s too old for Sony’s latest reboot, which is expected to go much younger. You know who the NEW Donald Glover is? Shameik Moore, from Sundance sensation “Dope.” This kid has chutzpah to spare and, like Glover, is also a talented entertainer with rap skills. We’ve already predicted big things for his career, and what could be bigger than Spider-Man?
Dylan O’Brien (23) – There are a lot of handsome young white guys who could find themselves in the running for Spider-Man, from Zac Efron and Nick Robinson to Logan Lerman and Ansel Elgort, but O’Brien stands out from the pack because he isn’t as safe as those choices. He’s already developed a loyal following thanks to his work on MTV’s “Teen Wolf,” and he also helped power “The Maze Runner” to a worldwide gross of $340 million, with a highly-anticipated sequel on the way. Still, if there’s any evidence that he has what it takes, it’s Jon Kasdan’s “The First Time,” in which he navigates a wide range of complex teenage emotions.
Dev Patel (24) – On Jan. 16, this reporter suggested Dev Patel should be the new Spider-Man and later in the day, he tweeted the same thing. We thought that’d be enough confirmation that Andrew Garfield was out, but apparently not. Patel has already played the hero in a Best Picture winner and he happens to be a tremendous talent. Some actors can’t handle the demands of a studio blockbuster, but Patel is no stranger to pressure and has proven himself to be more than “Slumdog Millionaire.” He also projects an intellect worthy of Spider-Man.
Carlos Pratts (28) – The “Spider-Man” news broke in the middle of the world premiere of Disney sports drama “McFarland, USA,” which could be a sign from the Movie Gods. Pratts plays the star cross country runner on Kevin Costner’s ragtag team and displays magnetic charisma in the role. Yes, he’s 28, but he can still play a convincing teenager — trust us. If Sony makes Miles Morales the new Spidey instead of Peter Parker, the Latino actor who grew up in Texas is more than worthy of wearing the web slinger’s suit, and he’s got the athlete’s physique to fill it.
Suraj Sharma (21) – The “Life of Pi” star was incredible in Ang Lee‘s critically acclaimed drama and may already be on Marvel’s radar thanks to his turn in Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm.” He has parlayed his breakout performance into a well-received arc on “Homeland,” and his most recent film “Umrika” won the audience award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance. There’s something relatable about Sharma, who also has very expressive eyes that could serve him well outside of Spidey’s suit.
Keith Stanfield (23) – He’s been making waves since his breakout performance as a troubled young rapper in “Short Term 12.” He co-starred in “Selma” and appeared in “Dope,” and he also co-stars in Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis movie “Miles Ahead” and plays Snoop Dogg in “Straight Outta Compton.” He may not be as polished as someone like Kaluuya, but his raw intensity could help Spidey get his groove back. Stanfield’s a rising star who’s just starting to show what he can do, and while Spider-Man may be a big leap, he could certainly pull it off.
Jeremy Allen White (23) – There’s something a little dangerous about the “Shameless” star, which is exciting. We could see him mixing it up with street thugs and the sort of criminal element that Spidey keeps in check. White’s a gifted actor who can strike a balance between drama and comedy. He impressed in the little-seen indie “Bad Turn Worse” and will continue to showcase his chops in Gerardo Naranjo’s “Viena and the Fantomes” and Robinson Devor’s “You Can’t Win.” White’s “Shameless” co-star Cameron Monaghan would also be intriguing as Spidey, but there’s something about White we can’t shake.