Prior to the release of the latest webslinging adventure, there was a lot of talk that it would be the last of the Spider-Man movies. Sam Raimi was, and is, in talks to helm a trilogy of films based on The Hobbit for New Line Cinema, taking up the reins from Peter Jackson. On that note, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst have said that they would not be returning, especially if Raimi isn't in the director's chair.
Now that the film has come out and is breaking records left and right, Maguire's stance has softened and he has said that he would consider returning. Well, I kind of like the idea of recasting the major roles for the next film, and yes, I believe as long as they are profitable, Spider-Man will be on the big screen, especially after reading of intentions for an entire new trilogy, as reported by the BBC.
I got to thinking, much like I did after JJ Abrams spoke of casting Matt Damon in a new Star Trek film in the inaugural Casting Stones column, about who I would potentially like to see take up the starring roles. So, I gave it a little thought, and here is who I came up with.
Peter Parker/Spider-Man
The one name I have heard tossed around most often has been Jake Gyllennhall. At one point he was considered for taking over the role in Spider-Man 2. However, I cannot say that the prospect excites me. The actor I would like to see in the role is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He's young, has the right look, and is a fantastic actor. Whether or not he can do action is a big question, but there is no denying his ability. Just take a look at this trio of recent films: Mysterious Skin, Brick, and The Lookout — are they all perfect? No, but they each display the talent that this young actor possesses. I believe he would be able to bring a strong element of humanity to the role, and not betray the roots of the character.
Article comments
1 - Ian Woolstencroft
Nice idea for a series Chris.
I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an inspired choice for Peter Parker. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jake Gyllennhall in the part but Gordon-Levitt would be a better Spidey I think.
I like your choice of Kristen Bell for Mary Jane but my personal pick would be Jessica Biel.
As for villains â€"
Gerard Butler as Kraven is a another great choice, how about â€"
Ben Kingsley as The Vulture? Or maybe Steve Buscemi?
Johnny Messner as Electro?
I’d rather see Bruce Campbell as The Ringmaster than Mysterio, after all The Chin must be seen. And can’t you just see Bruce with that moustache?
As for Nathan Fillion, the man is too good for a supporting role. He should star in another of Marvel’s upcoming projects â€" Ant Man!
2 - Phillip Winn
As long as Kirsten Dunst leaves, I don't mind everybody else staying.
Good choices all around. If they don't use Dylan Baker as the Lizard, and *soon*, I'm going to start to get annoyed!
3 - Mark Saleski
.....As long as Kirsten Dunst leaves, I don't mind everybody else staying.
pwinn, scarlett johansson can't do every movie made, no matter how much you wish it.
;-)
4 - Dynamo of Eternia
I just hope this doesn't turn into another fiasco like the previous series of Batman films did once the series switched directors and actors.
What they need to do is lock in another director who will keep the future films within a style that is close to the three that we have now. Sure, tweak things here and there where there is room for improvement, but don't reinvent the wheel. And for the love of God, DON'T make it overly childish like the last two Batman movies that came out prior to rebooting the series with Batman Begins.
They also need actors who can fill these roles properly, and keep in a certain tone that's been established while hopefully improving on other aspects.
I really think that Sony/Columbia is really jumping the gun by stating that they will definately be doing an additional three movies and maybe even more.
Sure, Spider-Man 3 is doing well and has broken all kinds of records. But, when/if they switch actors and directors, will the audience be as receptive as they are now? The Batman franchise seemed unstoppable, then the atrocity that was Batman & Robin came out, resulting in the series laying dormant for close to a decade and having to be rebooted entirely. I really don't want to see things get that bad with Spider-Man.
All it will take is one stinker to make the audience do a 180, resulting in future sequels not being a good idea.
One box office record does not define everything that is to come.
5 - Ian Woolstencroft
Have you got any preference for a director to take over from Sam Raimi, Chris?
6 - Chris Beaumont
Honestly, I hadn't thought about who would be good as director....
Ideally I would say some bright up and comer rather than a long established helmer. I'll have to give that a bit of thought...
7 - Nik
Mmmm. Alfonso Cuaron did such a good job with the third Harry Potter, I could see him as a director. Or perhaps Guillermo Del Toro? He might not be the best fit for Spidey, though.
Cameron Crowe could be utterly wonderful in some bizarro universe.
8 - Glen Boyd
My vote goes to ex-pro-wrestler King Kong Bundy as the Kingpin. After all, he's a big bald guy who has no neck.
-Glen
9 - Kaonashi
But the Kingpin was already in Daredevil, so I don't think they're bringing him back.
Interesting cast choices Chris, but what if they just get a bunch of talented unknowns? That might be the best route to take.
10 - Chris Beaumont
And Daredevil was through a different distributor, wasn't it?
I had thought del Toro, but he seems better suited for the darker side, perhaps if they did a movie with Morbius....
As for unknonws? Sure, unknowns are good, but I can't really factor them in when doing somethig like this. Though I think Levitt is enough under the mainstream radar that he would slip into the role well.
11 - Kaonashi
Good points Chris. After all, if Batman can be played by four different guys under the same distributor (all WB, correct?), why not have two Kingpins?
As for Levitt, I don't know if he's smart alecky enough to play Spider-Man. That's another thing that was missing from Spider-Man 3: Spidey's smart mouth. Even his video game counterpart in Marvel Ultimate Alliance is more smart alecky than the movie version.
My favorite line from the first movie was when Peter (not really Spider-Man yet) was wrestling that guy and he says, "Nice costume. Did your husband make it for you?" I just died laughing from that.
12 - Chris Beaumont
Marvel has lots of issues when it comes to doing crossovers in the films, as they have deals with so many different studios who would probably not play well together in bringing them into one film. DC on the other hand is allunder the WB banner making a JL or Batman/Superman film that much easier to do.
As for Levitt being a smart-alec, I think he could do it just fine. He had a moment or two in The Lookout, plus he did spend a lot of time with John Lithgow, that had to rub off a little...
13 - Ian Woolstencroft
I think the crossover angle is one reason Marvel are trying to produce more of there own films now (the other being they get a bigger slice of the pie). With films in development for Captain America and Thor plus the in production Iron Man I can see an Avengers movie in the future.
In fact with Ant Man in development and (I think) the new Hulk film being a Marvel production you've got the line-up of the original Avengers.
14 - Kaonashi
I still have reservations over a Justice League film. If they want Batman and Superman in it, what are they going to do - put Brandon Routh and Christian Bale in it? It'll never work, especially since Bale will humiliate Routh with his superior acting abilities.
15 - Chris Beaumont
I have a feeling that if a justice league movie actually happens, we would only get one of the big two, and probably a small role to help sell the film. I could see it focusing more on Green Arrow or Green Lantern as the head of a group of lower level heroes.
As for Avengers, it would have to have Cap, the rest could be made up of second tier guys.
16 - Greg
I like cheese
17 - Ryan
I think they should introduce an enemy we are all forgeting about. Scorpion. He is a great villian and I don't think they should have killed venom off that fast. And i will never go to see the movie if new actors are in it. tobey was made to play Spider-man and no one else.
18 - Ryan
Another villian they forgot about. Shocker.
19 - Steven
Hey, Is There Going to Be a Spider-Man 4? I Don't Want to Spider-Man Saga To End!
20 - billy bob thorten
i think all actors should stay because watching a movie that has three other ones and that new movievhas all different actores would feel weird because were use to them being those characters in those three other movies.