Spider-Man was a role that could have been played with a number of A-listers, including Tom Cruise... but what? !

Marvel's web-slinger, Spider-Man, is one of the biggest movie draws.

It's no surprise, then, that this role is very sought-after in Hollywood. Over the years, many actors have played the role of Spider-Man and more actors have hoped to land the part. There are some actors that have been close to being able to showcase their web-slinging abilities on screen.

Discover which actors almost played Spider-Man.

1. Jake Gyllenhaal

In the early 2000s Jake Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man when Tobey McGuire got injured while filming another movie. Tobey McGuire was fired briefly and Jake Gyllenhaal was in negotiations to take on the role in "Spider-Man 2." The studio ultimately decided to hire Tobey back.

Jake said Yahoo Entertainment, "There were so many roles where I had to compete with another actor or that something could have happened but did not happen. But maybe it would've," Jake. "I believe that when an actor has played a role, especially in a film, that character is theirs and nothing else. There was some talk about [Tobey] getting hurt. There were a lot of actors who could have played the role, and I was among them.

2. Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger, the late great actor who played Spider-Man in the early 2000s, was considered seriously for the role. However, in the end he didn't fit the bill. Heath Ledger never spoke about the role, but Sony producer Amy Pascal said that there was a moment when she thought he would be a good fit.

Heath Ledger is someone we spoke about a great deal, as I had worked with him on a few movies. I love him and I loved it then. Amy told variety that it wasn't the place where she went.

3. James Franco

James Franco played Harry Osborn, Peter Parker's closest friend in early "Spider-Man", but he had been in the running to play the lead role. James Franco says that he auditioned for the role of Spider-Man but was rejected.

I first auditioned to play Peter Parker and it went well. reported that he was "disappointed" when he found out if a role for Peter Parker wasn't available. "But then Sam Raimi called me and after we had a great conversation, he asked if I would like to play Harry. No one else was auditioned for this role.

4. Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio once auditioned for a "Spider-Man," but the movie was never made. James Cameron, a director from the early 1990s, reportedly submitted a script of what he called later "the greatest film I never made." Leonardo claims that James Cameron approached him to play the role. They had a few conversations about it.

Leonardo told Empire Magazine that he knew he had semi-seriously considered it at one point. "We had two or three conversations. I remember reading a script, but I can't recall. It was 20 years ago!"

5. Josh Hutcherson

Josh Hutcherson once auditioned for the role as Spider-Man in 'The Amazing Spider-Man. Josh Hutcherson said at the time that he was honored to have been put on the short list, knowing how many people auditioned for the part.

"I did the same thing as every other actor of my age for that role." It's so big that it's difficult to imagine getting. He told Entertainment Weekly that he was "amazed" that he had been included on this'shortlist'. I think it's cool that the media considers me in the same category with all the other people who are being considered. It's a real privilege."

6. Joe Jonas

Joe Jonas believed he had a chance to land the role of Spider-Man for "The Amazing Spider-Man" because Marc Webb worked previously on music videos. Although he did not get the role, Joe Jonas agrees that Andrew Garfield is the best choice for the part.

"I remember when I was up for Spider-Man years ago, I was so excited. It was the year Andrew Garfield won. He was clearly the best choice. I remember it was a big deal at the time to go back for callbacks and the director had been a music video producer. "I was like, I got in here," he said, on the just for variety podcast.

7. Timothee Chalamet

Timothee Chalamet, who was up for the role of Peter Parker in recent "Spider-Man films," was nervous in his first audition and wanted to request to be read again. But his agent persuaded him to not do so.

"I read twice, and I left sweating with a panicky feeling. "I called my agent [UTA's] Brian Swardstrom and said, 'Brian I thought about it a lot, and I have go back and knock at that door and read once again'. He told me the story of Sean Young, who in her attempt to be Catwoman, had scared everyone when she arrived at the studio gate in costume," he explained to The Hollywood Reporter.

8. Asa Butterfield

Asa Butterfield also auditioned for the role as Spider-Man but didn't end up getting it. He says that he wanted the role, but later got "Sex Ed", and would not have been able do both projects.

It happens every now and then that you want a role and the script is one you love. You put your heart and soul in it and yet you never get it. It's tough, it's a s---t job but often I find that it leads to something better at the end. In the case of "Spider-Man," I did a sex education class, because I couldn't do both at the same time," said he to Collider.

"Tom did incredible things with Peter. He had an entirely new portrayal of him. I think it worked so well in that universe and for that part. I don't believe I could have done it." I believe that everything will work out in time.

9. Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise was in discussions to play Spider-Man more than once. Tom Cruise was originally tapped to play Spider-Man in the 1980s. However, the film ended up being scrapped. Tom was considered to play Spidey for "Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse" in the '80s, but the story ended up changing.

"There was a period where Miles learned about Spider-Man by watching films, not from comic books. In Miles' world, there was a film version of a Spider-Man movie based on the real Spider-Man. It was a James Cameron-directed film with Tom Cruise playing Spidey. Yes. Spidey. "It was James Cameron, Spidey, and Tom Cruise," screenwriter Rodney Rothman said to SlashFilm.

-----------------------------------

Title: 9 Actors Who Almost Played Spider-Man Through The Years
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/07/03/actors-who-almost-played-spider-man-through-the-years/
Published Date: Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:00:16 +0000

Read More