What a Tangled Web We Weave: New Spider-Man Rumors

Patrick Fugit…almost Spider-Man?

Slashfilm is reporting, via Latino Review, that Laura Ziskin and Grant Curtis, producers of the first three Spider-Man movies are talking casting for the next one–and that that will include a new Spider-Man to replace Tobey Maguire.

Their first choice–though no offers have been made–is apparently Patrick Fugit. He’s most famous for Almost Famous, where he played a teenage rock journalist in Cameron Crowe’s roman a clef about his own teen adventures in the music business. Since then, Fugit’s done some TV work, and been in a number of other movies, most notably Spun, Wristcutters, and Saved!

If things don’t work out with Fugit, the rumor (again, just like to be careful) is that they’ll settle for a sort of mini-Fugit: Michael Angarano, who played the child version of Fugit’s character in Almost Famous. If that happens, then obviously they’re planning to backtrack and take the character in a way younger direction.

I don’t know if it’s even official that Maguire is out, but if he is, I don’t know if it’s his choice or the producers. Hopefully not the latter, but I’m apparently (judging by some of the comments at Slashfilm) one of the few people who liked him in the part. Hey, Spider-Man 3 wasn’t his fault–he didn’t write the messy jumbled overstuffed script. If he wanted to move on, though, I’d understand it.

I’m neutral about Fugit. He just hasn’t made much of an impression on me. I’m guessing he wouldn’t be terrible but wouldn’t be great either. And I have even less feeling for Angarano, but again, if he was cast, then this would have to be a “reboot” or something so at that point it becomes a whole new series.

I know Jake Gyllenhaal’s name has been thrown around in the past as a possible replacement, but it sounds like they want to go at least a little younger (yes, he’s only two years older than Fugit but seems a lot older). Besides, with Prince of Persia, Gyllenhaal now has his big hero franchise role locked up. Slashfilm wonders why Shia LaBeouf’s name hasn’t come up. I don’t know, but I’m glad. I’ve had enough Shia for now. He’s a nice kid, but just doesn’t seem special to me (though he is to his mom and no doubt thousands of teenage girls).

Hey, if they want to go younger, why not hang on a bit? Kodi Smit-McPhee, the kid starring in The Road with Viggo Mortensen is eleven. By the time this thing gets off the ground, maybe he’ll be ready to step into a wee little Spidey suit.