For a while there, Asa Butterfield (19) was the frontirunner to land the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the MCU. However, there was some peculation that his Reddit AMA session, where he divulged a lot of info on the casting process and implied he was in the lead to land the role, ultimately cost him the gig. Again, that was speculation and never confirmed but just ask Tyron Woodley how seriously Marvel takes its secrecy.
However, Butterfield has apparently taking things in stride, even offering up a compliment for Tom Holland's performance in Captain America: Civil War. Said Asa, "I always try to keep my options open – I think playing an iconic role like Peter Parker or any of the others, it’s always going to be difficult because you have a lot to live up to and to really own these characters who many people love and adore. To be given an opportunity to give your take on a character like that and something that you love is great. On the other side of the coin coming up with something totally original is just as fun because you get to start from scratch and create a new character which may well become iconic itself, you never know. I think Tom Holland did an incredible job, I think he nailed it."
During the course of his interview with Flickering Myth, Asa revealed that he's more of a DC Comics fan anyways and would love to land a role in the DCEU. "DC honestly – just from the comics and the cartoon series. I like the grittiness of DC." He even offered up praise for the divisive Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. "I’m a big fan [of Batman v Superman] and I’m really excited to see Justice League!"
The Ender's Game actor went on to say he's not too keen on playing Robin but if Butterfield is actively looking to play a superhero in the DCEU he could certainly play a teenage Billy Batson, if Warner Bros. were looking to age up the alter ego of Shazam for his forthcoming cinematic showdown with Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam. If you have any other suggestions for who Asa could play, let us know in the comment section below.