Andrew Garfield is Spider-Man

Who will be the new face beneath the crimson mask? Speculation rose to a fever pitch as comic lovers everywhere put in their 2 cents about who should headline Spider-Man in a new movie after news hit that it would not be Tobey Maguire. A comprehensive worldwide casting search ensued and the victor was one Andrew Garfield. Garfield is the new face of Peter Parker and we’ll all be judging the young actor first hand when Spider-Man swings back onto the big screen in 3D on July 3, 2012. Filming starts this December. Marc Webb will direct the super hero prequel from a screenplay penned by James Vanderbilt. Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad will produce the Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios project.

Garfield has some work ahead of him. Aside from building the body of a teen bitten by a radio active spider, he’ll have to carry the burden of living up to past Spidey success. The three previous motion pictures in the franchise have collectively grossed more than $2.5 billion worldwide. But the young man has many supporters behind him. Director Marc Webb said, “Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, President of Columbia Pictures said Garfield exhibits, “…the vulnerability of youth and the strength and confidence of a legendary figure at the same moment. We have found that actor in Andrew Garfield.” She described the actor’s screen test as “glorious” the team was floored by his work in Social Network from master suspense director David Fincher.

The well known producer Avi Arad added, “…we were looking for a smart, sensitive, and cool new Peter Parker who can inspire us and make us laugh, cry, and cheer. We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”

The selection of Garfield was revealed at a press event in Cancun, Mexico. Garfield is most definitely on the Hollywood fast track. Director Spike Jonze on his robot love story I’m Here and even plays the leading man opposite Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan in Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go, due for release later this year. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Lions For Lambs, and Revolution Films’ Red Riding Trilogy – 1974 also color his resume. He won a BAFTA for best actor in 2008 for John Crowley’s Boy A. Garfield has also worked substantially in dramatic theatre.