He can finally take off his mask! After months of casting calls, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios announced on Tuesday, June 23, that Tom Holland will be the next Spider-Man. At just 19, the British actor will be directed by Jon Watts.
According to a press release, Holland snagged the iconic role after several screen tests and meetings. Producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal were also fans of his work in The Impossible (2012), the acclaimed BBC TV miniseries Wolf Hall, and the upcoming drama In the Heart of the Sea.
“Sony, Marvel, Kevin and I all knew that for Peter Parker, we had to find a vibrant, talented young actor capable of embodying one of the most well-known characters in the world. With Tom, we’ve found the perfect actor to bring Spider-Man’s story into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Pascal said in a statement.
Feige added: “As with James Gunn, Joss Whedon, and the Russo brothers, we love finding new and exciting voices to bring these characters to life. We spent a lot of time with Jon and find his take and work inspiring.”
Holland follows in the footsteps of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, who have both previously played Peter Parker. “As a man who, in his time, has played the Dane, I’m thrilled at the new course my acting career is taking #Spiderman,” Holland tweeted after the news broke.
The next Spider-Man installment hits theaters on July 28, 2017.
