Extra, Extra!: Marvel Finally Casts Spider-Man

In which I report on the latest in entertainment news.

After stringing us along for months about who they were considering - after disregarding brilliant up-and-comers and passing on obvious choices - Marvel has finally selected their cinematic Spider-Man.  And no, it's still not Asa Butterfield.

Marvel has selected generally unknown child actor Tom Holland to play the role of Peter Parker / Spider-Man.  If you don't recognize the name, don't feel bad.  Most people don't.

Holland's only notable movie to date was 2012's The Impossible, where he played a child trying to reunite with the rest of his family following 2004's devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami.  I only happened to see it by accident and was marginally satisfied with the results.

While the movie was (barely) well enough. Holland did an excellent job in it.  While I can hardly call him the best choice for the role, he is a perfectly serviceable young actor who fits the physical requirements of the role (early to mid teens, white, male, lithe frame).  While I would have hardly gone with him, he was an obvious improvement over the other finalist for the role.

There's more to the role than just acting, though, and that's where Hollands' real strengths come in.  He auditioned for the role with Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., so he can obviously hold his own in a room with those two.  He's a (relatively) long-standing Spidey fan, which goes a long way toward his investment into and understanding of the character.

So while he's neither my first nor my second choice for the role, I'm perfectly satisfied with his inclusion in the MCU.  A young Spidey will be a refreshing change of pace from all of these old man Parkers running around and nearer to the heart of the character as it stands.

So are you happy with Holland as Peter Parker?  If not, who would you have preferred?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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