Marisa Tomei is the New Aunt May

Imagine you're a mutated spider. You're crawlin' along, you get hungry, you spot a nerdy, little teenager. You put your little spider lips down to his cool, soft skin ... BAM!

Sorry, but the latest Spider-Man casting news required at least one My Cousin Vinny joke on my part. Variety reports that Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei will play Aunt May in Marvel Studios and Sony's forthcoming Spider-Man reboot. Tomei will star alongside 19-year-old Tom Holland, who was recently announced as Marvel's new Peter Parker. Obviously, with Tomei just entering her 50s, we're skewing younger all around, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

You can next see Tomei in Amy Schumer's Trainwreck, which hits theaters next week. For the full story on this Spider-Man casting, head over to Variety by clicking here.

Thoughts on the New 'Spider-Man' Casting

Although my mind has been focused on another hero from another publisher over the past 24 hours — Batman: Arkham Knight owns me at the moment — I couldn’t help but sit up and take notice that Sony and Marvel Studios have chosen a director and a Peter Parker for their forthcoming Spider-Man reboot.

English actor Tom Holland, 19, will step into Spidey’s tights in the 2017 reboot, with relative newcomer Jon Watts directing.

I can’t really speak to Watts’ abilities as a director — I’ve never heard of Clown, Cop Car or Eugene!, which are among his previous credits — but I will say that Holland fits the bill quite nicely as a high school-aged Parker (especially since he's actually a teenager). The key is for Parker to be believable as both a socially-awkward nerd and a quippy costumed hero when he's behind the mask. This kid looks like he might be able to pull that off.

My sincere hope in general for this reboot of a reboot is that it avoids the pitfalls that sunk the last two iterations of the franchise: namely an excess of both antagonists and melodrama.

Holland has already been confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter as being rushed to the set of Captain America: Civil War, in which he’ll make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut next May. The Webslinger’s solo film, meanwhile, will hit theaters July 28, 2017.

For the full casting announcement, head over to Marvel.com. 

Thwip! The Amazing Spider-Man Comes Home

Man, why did news like this have to drop on a Monday night? Don't studio execs know I was working?

If you've gotten eyes on a computer or a smartphone screen in the last 24 hours, you already know that Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have reached an agreement to share Spider-Man, meaning that the Wall-Crawler will be swinging alongside Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the rest of the The Avengers in the very near future.

Marvel.com has the full press release on this amazing development, but here's what we know:

• The new Spider-Man will debut in a forthcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, which The Wall Street Journal has confirmed to be Captain America: Civil War.
• After the all-new Spidey appears in the MCU, Sony will release its next Spider-Man film on July 28, 2017. The new film will be co-produced by Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige and Sony's Amy Pascal.
• Sony will continue to finance, distribute, own and have creative control over the property.
• Characters from the MCU might appear in Sony's Spider-Man films.

So what does this mean? Well, it seems like we'll get yet another Spider-Man movie reboot, its second in just 13 years. It also means that the continuity of Sony's Spider-Man films will fit in line with Marvel Studios' flicks, so Spidey will be a part of that shared universe with Sony still being able to take ownership over the franchise. It's the ultimate win-win for our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

Who's going to play Peter Parker? Will we have to sit through yet another origin story? Will Spidey play an integral role in Captain America: Civil War, as was the case in the comics? The questions continue to mount in the wake of this announcement. Yet, if one thing's certain,  it's a damn good time to be a True Believer. 

Gwen Stacy Plummets in New 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Preview

Not to be outdone by Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier this weekend, Sony has released this preview of their The Amazing Spider-Man 2 trailer that will air Sunday during the Super Bowl. I’m still convinced that Marc Webb & Co. have crammed too many villains into this sequel (they should know better after Spider-Man 3), but this still looks like it could be a lot of fun. Well, it’s probably less fun for Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy, who is falling at breakneck speed at the end of this clip. That usually doesn’t end well for her.

Norman Osborn Cast in ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Sequel

Despite not being entirely disappointed by Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man, I don’t really find myself craving the sequel. Perhaps it’s because my interest in Spider-Man as a character just isn’t there anymore — see the Superior Spider-Man comic book series to see why — but it’s more likely that Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, the forthcoming Avengers sequel and Guardians of the Galaxy are more promising films in the oh-so-capable hands of Marvel Studios. Nevertheless, the film rights to Spidey apparently remain in Sony’s hands as long as they keep cranking out sequels, so The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is on the way. Introduced this time around are Jamie Foxx as Electro, relative unknown Shailene Woodley as Mary Jane Watson and — apparently — Paul Giamatti as Spidey’s massive horned nemesis Rhino.

Because nothing bad ever happens when you introduce too many villains in a superhero narrative, Sony will be adding Norman Osborn into the mix as Baddie #3. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar winner Chris Cooper (Adaptation, The Muppets) will play the nefarious executive-turned-criminal mastermind in the 2014 sequel. For those keeping score, all three villains in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 have earned Academy Awards, so kudos to director Marc Webb and his team for aiming high. That being said, one wonders whether Cooper — talented though he may be — will be able to top Willem Dafoe’s performance as Osborn/The Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man trilogy.

In other Amazing Spider-Man news, Marvel has released a first look (pictured) at Peter Parker’s new threads in the sequel. As you can see, the design is far more traditional than the suit sported by actor Andrew Garfield in the first film, and it actually bears a stark resemblance to Tobey Maguire’s suit in the Raimi flicks. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, but it’s also a reminder that the Amazing Spider-Man series represents the most needless reboot in the history of cinema. Oh well.

‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ to Spin New Trilogy

 I’ll admit, The Amazing Spider-Man is a lot better than I expected it to be. Considering the fact that it’s a completely unnecessary reboot of a franchise launched just one decade ago—retelling an origin story that we already know by heart—the movie’s action sequences are superior to anything in the Sam Raimi trilogy, and the film sets the stage for even better Spidey films.

Speaking of those better films, Sony Pictures has confirmed that The Amazing Spider-Man is the first of a trilogy. A post on the film’s official Facebook page stated the following:

“It's finally here! The Amazing Spider-Man is the first installment in a movie trilogy that will explore how our fave hero's journey was shaped by the disappearance of his parents.”

If you’ve seen the film, you know that Peter Parker’s parents play a much larger role than they did in Raimi’s trilogy. That said, what do you think the remaining films will reveal? Furthermore, who will Spidey be squaring off with next? My money’s on the Green Goblin, especially since filmmakers went to great lengths to hide what Norman Osborn actually looks like in the first film.

To learn more about where this  franchise is headed, “Like” The Amazing Spider-Man on Facebook by clicking here.

Some Spider-Man Reboot Tidbits Hit the Web

Apologies in advance for the limited updates lately. Between a busy work schedule and a social calendar packed with end-of-summer activities, I’ve been a tad estranged from the blogosphere, for better or for worse. I’m hoping to blog a bit more often moving forward, but if I stick to posting once a week for a while, I’m sure you’ll get over it.

Speaking of getting over things, I’m actually starting to get optimistic about Sony’s ill-conceived and unnecessary reboot to its ridiculously lucrative Spider-Man movie franchise. No, I’m still not keen on seeing Peter Parker in high school again, but I was also unsure about Warner Bros. retelling Batman’s origin story a few years back. In that case, returning to the well brought us Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, so at least there’s evidence that rebooting comic book movie franchises can work if done correctly by the right people. Here’s hoping Marc Webb—the director behind the surprisingly good (500) Days of Summer—is up to the task when he takes the helm of the 2012 web-slinging superhero flick.

I recently came across a Hollywood Reporter interview with Andrew Garfield, the 27-year-old actor playing the title role in Sony’s as-yet-unnamed Spidey reboot (fingers crossed for The Amazing Spider-Man, but that would make too much sense). In the interview, Garfield—who stars in the upcoming Facebook movie The Social Network—gushed that he’s a lifelong Marvel Comics fan, which is always a good sign.

“I have been waiting for this phone call for 24 years,” Garfield said in reference to his casting. “It’s a true f**king honor to be a part of this symbol that I actually think is a very important symbol and it’s meant a great deal to me, and it continues to mean something to people. So yeah, I feel like I’ve been preparing for it for a while. Ever since Halloween when I was four years old and I wore my first Spider-Man costume.”

The Hollywood Reporter piece notes that the film starts shooting in December.

In other Spider-Man movie news, it’s rumored that actress/singer Hilary Duff could be up for a role in the 3D franchise reboot. The Globe and Mail casually mentions in a profile on the former Disney child star and her hockey player husband, Mike Comrie, that what appeared to be a script for the film was seen on the couple’s kitchen table. Highlighted lines in the script were vaguely marked “girl.”

It’s easy to scoff at the idea of “Lizzie Maguire” starring in a big-budget comic book movie, but I could totally see her as Peter Parker’s pre-Mary Jane sweetheart, Gwen Stacy. Just sayin’.

Sony Chooses its New Spider-Man

When Sony Pictures’ fourth Sam Raimi Spider-Man flick faced some production difficulties earlier this year, the studio did the most reasonable thing by Hollywood logic: They fired their veteran director and announced a total reboot for its insanely lucrative superhero franchise. Helmed by Marc Webb and based on a screenplay by James Vanderbilt, this film would take the character back to his high school roots, which is pretty lame considering the fact that we just saw teenage Peter Parker in 2002’s Spider-Man eight years ago. But since Twilight is making all kinds of money these days, the studio likely thought that more high school angst was just what this franchise needed. Hell, put him up against Morbius and you’ve practically got Twilight with web-shooters.

One of the big questions on most comic book geeks’ minds over the past few months was who would be playing the new wall-crawler. Late last week, Sony confirmed that relative unknown British actor Andrew Garfield will be donning the tights for this film and any foreseeable sequels. Because, and here’s that Hollywood logic again, if you’re going to take a character back to his teenage years, casting a 26-year-old makes perfect sense.

“I’m incredibly excited about Andrew Garfield,” said producer Avi Arad in a statement. “In the Spider-Man tradition, 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.”

Fun fact: Tobey Maguire was roughly the same age in 2001 when he was cast in the original Spider-Man, and if you recall, he really didn’t spend all that much time in high school in that first film. If Sony plans on keeping these new films rooted in high school, and since they didn’t cast a teenager as they should have done, things might get complicated down the line. Garfield will be in his 30s by the time the sequels roll around, and guys that age tend to make senior prom security personnel pretty nervous.

If you’re looking for examples of Garfield’s work, he appeared in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and stars in the upcoming film The Social Network. Yes, he’s in the Facebook movie.

The new Spider-Man film (in, ugh, “eye-popping 3D”) hits theaters in 2012.

Sony: Spider-Man Reboot Will Be 3D

Following the commercial and critical success of James Cameron’s Avatar, Sony Pictures announced February 9 that its forthcoming Spider-Man reboot, helmed by (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb, will be shot in 3D, MTV’s Splash Page reports. The new Spidey flick hits theaters on July 3, 2012.

Sony announced last month that the reboot will take Peter Parker back to high school. While a fourth installment in Sam Raimi’s wildly popular Spider-Man series was in the planning stages, the director parted ways with the studio due to creative differences. This new film wipes the continuity slate clean with a new, younger cast.

“Spider-Man is the ultimate summer movie-going experience, and we’re thrilled the filmmakers are presenting the next installment in 3D,” Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, said in a statement. “Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the world, and we know audiences are eager and excited to discover Marc’s fantastic vision for Peter Parker and the franchise.”

This still seems like a bad idea. If Sony needs to reboot the Spider-Man movie franchise just 10 years after it started, why not simply pick up where Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 left off with a new cast and a new director?