I’m not debating the casting of Tobey MacGuire for Peter Parker (mostly because I haven’t seen it, so I won’t pass judgement), but he wasn’t really who I thought would be able to capture the essence of Webhead’s secret identity. But I’m anxious to hear who, after the initial “Wha…?” factor, you would have cast ideally as Peter Parker. Again, I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I’m not saying he didn;t do a good job. He just wouldn’t have been my initial choice.
I could see John Cusack or Edward Norton as Peter Parker easier than I could see Tobey.
Well, John Cusack and Ed Norton are both superb actors, but both are significantly too old for the role, especially if multiple sequels are in the works. Remember, Peter Parker is supposed to be 18.
Though Toby Magure isn’t the first name that would have popped into my head if I were the casting director, I thought he was very good in the role. There certainly must be other young actors who could have played the part well, but no high-profile stars come to mind who strike me as a better fit.
They’re both to old to play Peter Parker. Or at least they both look to old to play Peter Parker. Especially John Cusack. Of all the actors I know of I think Tobey was the best choice for the part.
Maybe it would have, had I seen the movie. I haven’t seen it yet. I realize that age plays a part in the casting, but I was thinking of casting with no age limitations, if you get my meaning.
I seem to have been the only one who thought MacGuire was perfect for the role, as soon as they announced the casting. I remember all sorts of people fretting about the choice and proposing all sorts of ridiculous alternatives. If not MacGuire, then perhaps an unknown would have been appropriate.
Nicholas Brendon from Buffy the Vampire Slayer would have been a perfect Peter Parker. He’s got the geeky nebbish thing down perfectly. (He’s a touch too old, but that’s never bothered Hollywood before.)
I think John Cusack would have been good had they gone from the current comic books, in them he’s 30ish. And Cusack with the right haircut would look the part.
You know, Sam Stone might be onto something. Jimmy Fallon might actually be an inspired choice, if you go back to the original Ditko-Lee character, who (though geeky) was also a natural smart-ass.
Tobey’s smart-ass wisecracks didn’t seem to come as naturally. Overall, though, I thought he did a great job.
Other options:
How about Jason Lee (“Banky” from Chasing Amy)?
Or if age is no issue, how about a teenaged Robert Downey, Jr.?
I had a really horrid thought…what if they had plucked one of the Backstreet Boys/N Sync/98 Degrees boyband clones?
Reason why i thought that is because there was a story from the Lee/Ditko daze about a sleazoid movie director who wanted to make a SM movie, and ranted, “We can get Elvis to play Spider Man! Or maybe one of the Beatles!”
