Marvel/Sony Announce Tom Holland Is Spider-Man, Also Jon Watts To Direct Next Solo Spidey Film

After a long casting process Tom Holland has been chosen to be the new Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man by Marvel Studios and Sony.

Holland, who has previously appeared in The Impossible, Wolf Hall and the upcoming In The Heart Of The Sea, will first appear as the iconic web slinging superhero in an as yet officially announced Marvel Studios film, though smart money has it being next summer’s Captain America: Civil War which is currently in production, before swinging off to his own solo film from Sony Pictures.

Due to their rather unique arrangement in sharing the screen rights to the comics character, both Marvel and Sony had to sign off on the casting choice. Holland beats out a number of other choices that the studio was looking at including reportedly Matt Lintz, Charlie Plummer and Asa Butterfield.

Additionally Marvel and Sony announced that Jon Watts will direct Sony’s still untitled 2017 Spider-Man movie. Watts sole directorial credit is Cop Car, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year and was a latecomer to the consideration process. I am not trying to find this at least a little bit worrying, but Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb only had the Sundance hit 500 Days Of Summer to his credit when he took the reins of the franchise. Hopefully Watts will have better results than Webb.

In a press release, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman stated –

The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding. I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception. 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. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special. All in all, we are off to a roaring start.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige adding about the hiring of Watts –

As with James Gunn, Joss Whedon, and the Russo brothers, we love finding new and exciting voices to bring these characters to life. We spent a lot of time with Jon and find his take and work inspiring.