Four New Names Mentioned For Harry Osborn In ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Including Sam Claflin And Eddie Redmayne
The battle for a plum role inMarc Webb’sThe Amazing Spider-Man 2has become a showdown worthy of the webslinger himself. We know thatAndrew GarfieldandEmma Stonewill be returning, joined by newcomersShailene Woodleyand (most likely)Jamie Foxx. Then there’s the role of Peter’s best friend-turned-enemy Harry Osborn, played by James Franco in the Sam Raimi series. Several actorswere said to be up for the role last weekand now a new set of young Hollywood males are said to be testing.
The guys areSam Claflin, the upcoming star ofThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire,and a supporting player inSnow White and the Huntsman;Eddie Redmayne, star ofMy Week With Marilynand the upcomingLes Miserables;Douglas Booth, star ofLOLand the upcomingNoah;andBoyd Holbrook, a star ofMilkwho’ll soon be appearing inThe Host. Read more after the jump.
The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news of these four actors being in the mix, saying they represent a new direction for the character. Last week Brady Corbet (Melancholia), Dane DeHaan (Chronicle) and Alden Ehrenreich (Beautiful Creatures) were up for the role, which was then described as darker and edgier. They’ve now pulled back on that, hoping for someone with more “athleticism and good looks.” Damn, Hollywood can be harsh and rash, huh?
Each actor has his pluses and minuses, the most obvious being that Booth and Holbrook aren’t as well known as Claflin or Redmayne, who are both starring in massive movies in the coming months. Claflin, actually, plays such an important role inCatching Firethat you’d assume he might become too recognizable or expensive. Redmayne is super solid but I’m sure a lot rests on the success ofLes Mis. Booth is largely unknown, but you’ve got to trust Aronofsky, who cast him inNoah. And Holbrook could have a shot, especially ifThe Hostis really good or he’s really good in it.
What I’m most curious about, though, is how significant Osborn’s role will be not only inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2, but potentiallyThe Amazing Spider-Man 3. He was obviously key to the Raimi franchise, eventually taking up the mantle of Green Goblin left behind by his father, Norman (another key role yet to be cast, right?) Would Webb’s series dare go the same route with so much Spider-Man history to draw from?
Who would you prefer out of this group?
