Andrew Garfield Spider-Man Casting

Sorry, Donald Glover. Your dreams of becoming the world’s first Black Spider-Man will have to wait.

The world has a new web slinger.

Columbia Pictures has cast relatively-unknown actor Andrew Garfield, 26, to replace Tobey Maquire as the new Peter Parker in the next installment in the Spider-Man movie franchise, the studio announced on Thursday.

Born in the US, but raised in Britain, Garfield credits include last year’s Heath Ledger film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and the upcoming biopic The Social Network. won the He won British Academy Television Award (BAFTA) for Best Actor for the 2007 movie Boy A. Andrew will make his official screen debut as the soft-spoken superhero when the film hits theaters in 3D on July 3, 2012.

The new film focuses on a younger Peter, the Marvel Comics hero who gains superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Production begins in early December.

Marc Webb — the lensman behind the romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer — will direct the Sony film, landing the job after original Spidey director Sam Raimi, who made three blockbuster Spider-Man films with Maquire, departed the story over scheduling issues over a fourth movie.

“Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents,” says Webb. “He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

Other reported contenders for the role included Logan Lerman, Josh Hutcherson, Jamie Bell, and Aaron Johnson.

Any thoughts on this casting?