Candidates for the next Spiderman

"Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012.

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager dealing with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises. Kirsten Dunst, director Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job,” said Sam Raimi."I am so proud of what we accomplished with the Spider-Man franchise over the last decade", Maguire said in a statement.
"Beyond the films themselves, I have formed some deep and lasting friendships. I am excited to see the next chapter unfold in this incredible story." Source: news.bbc.co.uk

I'm sorry for Tobey Maguire, who certainly worked his butt off as Spider-Man, but he's benefited enormously from his starring role in the mega-franchise, and I suspect he'll be just fine in a post-"Spider-Man" world. The real question now is who they hire to direct and who's going to be suiting up as the Webhead this time around.
Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal at 'Brothers' Q&A At The Arclight Theater on 3rd December, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Sony Pictures played contractual games with Maguire and floated having other actors such as Jake Gyllenhaal take over the role of Peter Parker, but in the end Maguire always returned. Now, the studio plans on returning Parker and Spidey to his teenage years which means the 29-year-old Gyllenhaal is most likely too old to play the part. However, Sony is going to want some sort of name to relaunch Marvel's biggest super hero whether he's an indie up and comer or a supporting studio player ready to break out.

HitFix's top candidates to become the new big screen Web-slinger:
Anton Yelchin
Birthdate: March 11, 1989 - 20
Best Known For: Playing Checkov in "Star Trek."
Qualifications: Has the dorky thing down, age appropriate, skinny and great acting chops.
We Say: Go for it. Iron out that naturally curly hair and Yelchin could be a Peter Parker for a different generation. Just like the "Star Trek" cast reinvented some classic characters, Yelchin could do the same for Parker. Anton Yelchin. He's been groomed for stardom the last few years, and in 2009, he was in both the "Terminator" and "Star Trek" reboots. He's the right age, he's great in a room, he's a real actor, and he's got charm to spare.Taylor Lautner
Birthdate: Feb. 11, 1992 - 17
Best Known For: "The Twilight Saga", heard of it?Qualifications: Pretty much a superstar after two movies, huge fanbase, young enough to play the role for years, has made karate/fighting skills and when not bulked up actually has the Peter Parker skinny frame.
We Say: It's hard to imagine this happening because the core fanbase would be outraged to have a "Twilight" fixture as Spider-Man, but we guarantee Sony and even Marvel are considering it. (Assuming of course shooting doesn't conflict with "Breaking Dawn.")James McAvoy
Birthdate: April 21, 1979 - 30
Best Known For: Gunplay with Angelina Jolie in "Wanted" and the Oscar-nominated "Atonement."Qualifications: Fantastic actor, huge onscreen charisma, has action flick experience and looks way younger than his years.
We Say: It would certainly take Parker in more of a New York City Scottish/Irish direction, but with the movie going in a "teenage" direction he's just too old. No matter how young he looks.Jesse Eisenberg
Birthdate: Oct. 5, 1983 - 26
Best Known For: "Zombieland"
Qualifications: Growing recognition coming off "Zombieland" and "Adventureland" definitely had the nerdy/dorky/"I don't know how to talk to girls" thing down and is a Queens native to boot. We Say: In theory, Eisenberg would be high on Sony's list, but he might be a little too "Michael Cera"-esque to really pull Parker off. Spider-Man's wisecracks are usually handed out with a lot more confidence than Eisenberg's signature style. He might be a mistake.
Shia LaBeouf
Birthdate: June 11, 1986 - 23
Best Known For: Hanging out with Autobots in "Transformers" and as the young buck in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
Qualifications: Star power, substantial fan base, on screen charisma, quick wit, won't back down from anybody, franchise experience, Spielberg stamp of approval and can still probably pass for a teenager.We Say: Sony and Marvel would be interested, but we bet LaBeouf would probably say no even if he could do it. He's already committed to "Transformers 3" and that could lead to huge schedule conflicts considering both films are now set for 2012 releases. If there was or is still a way to make it work? Don't discount the possibility. Patrick Fugit
Birthdate: Oct. 27, 1982 - 27
Best Known For: "Almost Famous"Qualifications: Looks younger than his years, has the dorky thing down and resembles Maguire significantly more than some other candidates.
We Say: Rumored to be considered to replace Maguire before the actor eventually committed to "Spider-Man 4", Fugit seems like he'd be a last ditch and -- to say it bluntly -- economical choice as the next Peter Parker". Souce: www.hitfix.com

MICHAEL WELCH
This young "Twilight" actor has a boyish enough face to pass for Parker at the right age, just so long as he can deliver with the character's awkward mannerisms. Since he's already been in two "Twilight" installments and a Star Trek film ("Insurrection"), he's probably well-adjusted to starring in front of geek fandom.JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT
It might be strange seeing the same actor who once played Cobra Commander take on Marvel's webslinger, but his name was once floated as a possible Tobey Maguire successor if Maguire walked. This is another case where an older cast might need to be installed around him to make him look young, but he definitely has the nerdy demeanor to do the character. Source: splashpage.mtv.com
"Robert Pattinson Age: 23 Why our Spidey sense is tingling: Okay, he’s British, pasty, and he’s got a pretty busy schedule, what with all these Twilight movies you may have heard about. But if I were a Sony bean counter, I’d be stuffing the ballot box for this guy. After all, this could be the ultimate parasite blockbuster. Think about it: First, you cast Kristen Stewart as Mary Jane Watson, then you cast Taylor Lautner as Harry Osborn (i.e., James Franco’s role), then boom!…just sit back and watch the greenbacks pile up. If I ran Sony and wanted to retire to a private island, this would be my choice". Source: popwatch.ew.com