Denis Leary didn't always love the character he is going to be chasing July 3. Leary, who will play
Captain George Stacy, was introduced to
Spider-Man later in life and has grown to like
Spider-Man's everyman vibe. Speaking with the
LA Times, Leary explains how
Spider-Man is an easy character to identify with.
I never read Spider-Man comics as a kid. I was always more of a Batman guy. But my wife has always loved the Spider-Man character and found the working class ethos, the young teenager turning into a man melodrama and his orphan back story intriguing — as did I once she’d introduced me to the series. He’s far from a billionaire and he’s born of this world — it’s easy to struggle to identify with.
Leary has since done plenty of research on the comic book front, and when asked what his favorite part of the vast Spidey mythology was, Leary went straight to the introduction of his character.
Amazing Spider-Man,’ Volume 1, #56 from 1968, It includes the introduction of George Stacy. Without that issue I ain’t getting cast into a Spider-Man movie.
This wasn't Leary's first introduction to
Capt. Stacy, it appears he may have been destined for this particular role.
A good friend of mine – comedian and actor Jeff Garlin, who I’ve known for about 90 years — said when he first met me that I reminded him of George Stacy. True story. We were in our 20s at the time and I thought he was insane. After I got a call from director Marc Webb asking me to play the part, I called Jeff and filled him in on the news. His response? ‘You never listen to me! Ever!'
STARRING:
Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy
Rhys Ifans as Curt Connors/The Lizard
Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben
Sally Fields as Aunt May
Denis Leary as George Stacy
RELEASE DATE: July 3rd
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