Like most of you guys, I’ve been thinking about the casting possibilities for the Spidey reboot for weeks. I based m y choices on a 60/40 ratio of looks and acting experience. I’ll add some more info later on, school just started and I’m knee deep in assignments. Till then, here are my picks for the new cast.
Supporting Characters Liz Allen – A high school classmate of Peter Parker when they attended Midtown High School together, and a minor love interest of Parker and Flash Thompson.
Shailene Woodley
Flash Thompson – Star high school football player who mercilessly bullies "Puny Parker." Ironically, Flash greatly admires Spider-Man.
Ed Westwick
Cocky and brash, Ed has enough experience playing that kind of character.
May Parker – Aunt and adoptive mother of Peter Parker. She is unaware he is also Spider-Man.
Blythe Danner
I want to see a slightly younger Aunt May. From what I remember of the comics,
Peter always worried about his ailing aunt, but that doesn’t mean she has to be old and frail. I think the trauma of becoming a widow and a case of cancer would be enough and something more people can relate to.
Ben Parker – Peter’s uncle whose tragic demise was the catalyst for Peter to use his Spider-Man persona for good.
Albert Finny
I just watched The Bourne Ultimatum and I have to say that he has the presence and the voice to spout the legendary line, “With great power. . . ”.
Harry Osborn – The son of industrialist Norman Osborn and Peter Parker’s best friend.
Jake Abel
Norman Osborn – A wealthy industrialist who, after taking a serum that increased his physical abilities and intellect but drove him insane, adopted a Halloween-themed goblin costume to terrorize New York City and Spider-Man.
Neal McDonough
Neal definitely has the acting chops to pull this character off in a series of films. Plus, I think if you give him red hair he would look spot on as Norman. I envision Norman turning into the Green Goblin at the end of the first movie, therefore he's not one of the villains.
Eddie Brock - A friend and mentor of Peter Parker who also works as a lab assistant to Dr. Curt Connors.
Daniel Cudmore
Just because his tenure with Fox's X franchise is done, it doesn't mean he should go off into the CBM sunset. At 6 ft 8 inches and a solid (really freaking solid) 255 lbs, I think he fits former star quarterback Eddie Brock pretty damn well. He turned 29 years old this year, but I don't think that age difference matters for this particular role.
Villains Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard – One of Peter’s mentors who ingests a formula containing reptilian DNA in an effort to re-grow his arm which was severed in a war zone. The formula causes him to become one of Spider-Man’s enemies, the Lizard.
Kevin McKidd
After I saw him brilliantly play an Army surgeon on Grey’s Anatomy (I know it’s coming, shut up) I just can’t picture anyone else in the role.
Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven the Hunter – A maniacal big game hunter who has bested Spider-Man on several occasions.
Clive Owen
I’m a Clive Owen fan but I just couldn’t picture him playing the part . . . until I saw this photo. Dead to rights, I think he’s the perfect Kraven.
The Big Three Gwen Stacy – Not just a love interest, she was Peter’s first real girlfriend. Her death during Spider-Man’s battle with the Green Goblin was a pivotal moment in Peter’s life and shouldn’t be ignored in the new franchise.
Candice Accola
She’s a well spoken young actress who would do a fine job portraying the intelligent Gwen.
Mary Jane Watson - She’s the girl next door, if the girl next door happened to be a part time fashion model and undeniable knockout who is completely out of your league.
Rachele Brooke Smith
I just had to include a picture of MJ so you can see the uncanny resemblance:
Peter Parker/Spider-Man – The brilliant teenager who was the victim of a spider bite that changed his life. Known for using wise cracks and one liners against his enemies as a defense mechanism to hide his fear.
You’re not going to like this
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I mean, really not
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Zac Efron
If you’re still reading this, you’re probably curious of the reasons I chose him above the rest of qualified actors in his age group out there.
1) He has already successfully carried a major film franchise.
2) He has more acting experience than the majority of guys his age in the industry.
3) He is the only actor I’ve seen associated with the role that would undoubtedly bring in big box office numbers on his name alone.
4) All personal preferences aside, his resemblance to Peter Parker is undeniable.
My distaste for High School Musical doesn’t make me blind to the fact that the kid can adapt to his various roles easily (Me and Orson Wells, 17 Again). Zac is a very good young actor. I think it’s rather funny that most guys try to knock him because of the singing and dancing he did in HSM. Maybe they’re forgetting all the other actors that started out their careers in the same manner; for example John Travolta, Christopher Walken, and Patrick Swayze. When it comes to casting this particular role it's all about picking an actor that fits the most criteria needed for the character. Efron has more pros than cons in his favor. I think with the proper direction he would be a solid Spidey. The only other two I like for the part already have franchises they are currently working on.
And that's it. I haven't looked at anyone's Spidey fan casts recently because I didn't want to be set on an actor for a certain role just because someone else mentioned them. If some of these were your picks as well, trust me, it's by coincidence. I'm still looking for a J. Jonah Jameson and Eddie Brock so stay tuned.