One of these five actors could be the next SPIDER-MAN

Ever do a massive, critically important project at school, but then leave the most difficult section right until the last minute before the deadline, when you’re positively sweating bullets? Yeah, Marvel is doing the same thing right now. Captain America: Civil War officially starts shooting next week, but the studio is still yet to cast their new Spider-Man/Peter Parker who is set to make his post-Sony/Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the star-spangled sequel.

But according to The Wrap, Marvel is very close to finally making their pick and have narrowed down their choices to a shortlist of five young up and coming actors: Asa Butterfield (Ender’s Game, Hugo), Timothee Chalamet (Interstellar), Nat Wolff (The Fault In Our Stars, Paper Towns), Tom Holland (In the Heart of the Sea, The Impossible) and Liam James (The Way Way Back, The Killing).

And as you can see by the pic above, Marvel clearly have a certain look in mind for young Peter Parker, which Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige recently confirmed will be a 15-16 years old high school kid again. All the actors are actually between 18-20 years old, but it’s the norm for actors to play younger.

Out of the lot, Butterfield is easily the most recognizable of the bunch, having already led two major Hollywood productions. James has also led a film, having done nearly all of the dramatic heavy lifting in indie critical darling dramedy The Way Way Back. The problem is that in those leading roles neither of them were really required to show off the sensibilities that would make them good picks for Spidey. The same can be said for Holland, who showed off some serious dramatic chops in The Impossible; James, who put in a really charming, bittersweet turn in The Way, Way Back; and Chalamet, who was pretty solid in Interstellar. As impressive as they may have been, I haven’t really seen them doing anything Spider-like, so I can’t make that call. The only person that I can even consider, based on my exposure to his work is Wolff. As the eyeless Isaac in The Fault In Our Stars, he had a certain attitude and spunk that could just work as the Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-man, plus I think he actually looks the part.

Besides, he’s already been endorsed as Spider-Man by none other than the Kingpin himself.

NAT WOLFF @natandalex should be SPIDEY . Marvel knows best though they are batting 1000 . I think Nat is perfect . https://t.co/XX5MYqrH1S

— Vincent D’Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) April 23, 2015

Despite the enthusiasm of D’Onofrio (who is starring with Wolff in the James Franco-directed In Dubious Battle), we don’t even actually know if Wolff is really in contention. These are merely the names that The Wrap’s sources unearthed – these could have been discarded already and replaced with plenty of others.

In fact, for all we know, the official short-list could actually be pretty damn long. Marvel still have a bit of breathing room with their casting as whomever gets chosen will apparently only be needed to be on set in the beginning June, to film what will probably not be much more than a glorified, extended cameo as this new version of the character is merely introduced to audiences. With Spider-Man getting his own solo movie just a year after 2016’s Civil War though, I don’t think it will be too long before we officially know who will be pulling on the red and blue pyjamas and swinging into the MCU next.

Last Updated: April 24, 2015