More casting news from the 2012 Spider-Man film surfaced today, as broken first by The Hollywood Reporter — acting veteran Martin Sheen is in “final negotiations” to play the key role of Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben. Deadline.com is reporting it as a done deal.
It’s the second comic book film for the 70-year-old actor, who played the malevolent Jason Wynn in the 1997 Spawn film. In the 2002 Spider-Man feature, the role of Uncle Ben was played by Cliff Robertson — like Sheen, an award-winning actor (Robertson won a best actor Oscar; Sheen has won an Emmy for a guest spot on Murphy Brown and a Golden Globe for his lead role of Josiah Bartlett on The West Wing).
Uncle Ben, as well known to those familiar with the Spider-Man mythos, plays a key role in the character’s origin — Peter Parker’s failure to stop a burglar who ended up murdering his uncle/father figure led him to embracing the motto of “with great power comes great responsibility.”
It’s a bit of well-timed good news for the Sheen family — Martin’s son, Charlie, has recently been, well, you know.
Martin Sheen joins Andrew Garfield at Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as an as-yet not “officially” announced villain who pretty much everyone has concluded is the Lizard. The film’s helmed by 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
i say great casting. smart to put a big name in an iconic role that is extremely important to the story instead of an unknown.
the big question still remains: who will be J.J. in the new reboot?
November 4th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
It’s being reported that the Aunt May role has been offered to Sally Field.
While both are fine actors, neither really strike me as fitting the roles.
November 4th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Not a bad choice, although I still have issues with the whole idea of starting over from scratch like this so soon.
November 4th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Starting over with the whole origin story again is a really bad idea. Seriously, if there’s anybody who doesn’t know the basic origin story by now, the person sitting next to them in the theatre is bound to.
Hopefully, it’ll just be a quick flashback. Peter’s nightmare or something.
Nice pick on the actor. I like it.
November 4th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Of everyone from the original movies, they need to get J.K. Simmons back as J. Jonah Jameson.
November 5th, 2010 at 5:21 am
I agree…J.K. Simmons was the perfect Jameson. I have a hard time thinking of anyone else in that role now. A large part of me thinks whoever they choose just won’t feel right.
As for starting the franchise over, I kinda agree with posts above. It’s so soon and another origin movie isn’t necessary. Maybe they’ll do an origin “opening” kinda like with the Ed Norton “Incredible Hulk” movie…but I doubt it.
November 5th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Snark: Martin shouldve had the responsibility talk with Charlie
I’m joking there.
Seriously though, te Ben in the first trilogy was awesome. Wish it was still him, but as is said above, jk Simmons is the only mandatory return from the first three. He nailed Jameson perfectly, from the look, to the voice and demeanor.
November 5th, 2010 at 8:49 am
“Forest Hills…I can’t believe I’m still in Forest Hills…”
I’m pulling my old casting choice out of mothballs – R. Lee Ermey for JJJ.
November 5th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Smart to cast a big name actor rather than an unknown? Why because using unknowns killed the original Star Wars? Or other countless box office successes?
This movie is stacking up to be crap with a capital C. Sally Field? Come on. And after watching Andrew Garfield in The Social Network I can’t even imagine him playing a 28 year old teenager.
Sony should know if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, the only thing wrong with Spider-Man 3 was the storyline.
November 5th, 2010 at 9:40 am
The original Star Wars had a big name actor, Sir Alec Guinness.
November 5th, 2010 at 9:55 am
For everyone who say that a origin story is a bad idea/ not needed I have two exsmaple of why it is TDK and X-men movie these are Two Movie that rape and change the character to make them whatever they wanted I mean come on Joker and Batman Ex lovers or X-men which was basic Wolferver and X-men
November 5th, 2010 at 10:57 am
He would make a much better JJ Jameson, because he doesn’t die.
November 5th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
While I love the casting, doesn’t the idea of a Spider-man film reboot seem a little premature? Sure, a lot of people hated the third film. There were elements of it I didn’t like, but for the most part it really wasn’t the trainwreck many people think it was. Why not just pass the torch to another film maker who won’t Joel Schumaker the franchise and continue the story while casting a new Peter Parker?
November 5th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I really don’t understand the need to do the origin story all over again. This is totally pointless.
November 5th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Michael…What?
January 17th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Why are chorus girls like barge horses? They have to tow the line!
April 9th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Women dream of world peace, a safe environment, and eliminating hunger. What do men dream of? Being stuck in a lift with the Spice girls.