Marvel & Sony At Loggerheads Over Spider-Man Casting?

Reportedly, the search for the new Spider-Man has been narrowed down to three actors.

Yes, we know, you’ve heard reports to this effect already - and honestly, it’s hard to say whether the new Peter Parker is any nearer to being decided. However, it has been claimed that Marvel and Sony are struggling to settle on the matter, with both sides pulling for a different actor.

It’s just the sort of impasse less optimistic commentators had suggested would occur when Sony and Marvel reached an agreement to share the beloved comic book character, enabling him to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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The claims come courtesy of reporter Jeff Sneider in podcast/video Meet The Movie Press, who says the three actors in contention for the coveted role are Tom Holland, Charlie Plummer and Matthew Lintz.

The big shocker of this is that Asa Butterfield, arguably the most hotly-tipped contender, is now reportedly out of the running to be the next Spider-Man.

Sneider explains, “Marvel likes Charlie Plummer, Sony likes Tom Holland… the reason you haven’t seen a decision yet is they seem to be at odds.

“Marvel is the creative lead, as we’ve heard on this - that’s why they got brought in, Sony trust them, the marketplace trusts them… on the other hand, Sony’s footing the bill. Sony is paying for this movie, not Marvel, and when it’s your money on the line you want your say to matter.”

It would seem Sneider is talking specifically about the 2017 Spider-Man solo movie to be co-produced by Sony and Marvel, as opposed to the in-production ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ in which the character is expected to make his MCU debut.

Sneider leans toward Holland (pictured above in his next movie ‘In The Heart of the Sea’) being the likely winner, at least in part due to his age; at 19 he is legally an adult, and can work full days - a notable consideration for films with deadlines to meet.

On the other hand, the younger Plummer (pictured below in ‘King Jack’) might be a better fit for Marvel’s plans to keep Peter Parker in high school for several films - but as a minor, will be more legally limited in the hours he can work. Where Lintz might fit in is unclear.

No light is shed on why Butterfield is no longer in contention, though some have speculated he may have hurt his chances by openly discussing the matter on Reddit.

As ‘Captain America: Civil War’ is shooting already, presumably we can expect a decision to be reached sooner rather than later - although we’ve been saying that for a couple of months now…

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Picture Credit: Sony, Warner Bros, Whitewater Films