Just a few days ago we learned that Sony had a shortlist of just three actors up for the role of Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which included Brady Cobert (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Alden Ehrenreich (Beautiful Creatures), and Dane DeHaan (Chronicle). It was said that Sony would be taking a more classic approach to the character rather than similar to the version in the Ultimate comics or James Franco's in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. But now it seems Sony has had a change of heart, and are looking for a more 'better looking' and 'athletic' actor for the role. The new shortlist now includes Sam Claflin (Snow White and the Huntsman), Eddie Redmayne (My Week With Marlene), Douglas Booth (LOL), and Boyd Holbrook (The Host).
The news comes a bit surprising as just earlier today, paparazzi got photos Dane DeHaan and Andrew Garfield arriving at director Marc Webb's house. While the original thought was that this may be a sign DeHaan was locked in, apparently the actor may not be up for the role anymore. Sony had previously said that they wanted a 'darker and edgy' version of Harry, a part that DeHaan fit like a glove. But now it seems the new set of actors are quite different from the original three, and fit more Sony's new description.
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| Dane DeHaan arriving at Marc Webb's house |
As for whether DeHaan, Ehrenreich, and Cobert are still in the running, it has yet to be said. Both Ehrenreich and Cobert can still slightly pull of this new version of Harry, but DeHaan is the one that really might've been the most impacted by the studio's change. Of the new shortlist, Sam Claflin is the most recognized (And probably best choice) as he starred in
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and
Snow White and the Huntsman, and will just recently be starring as Finnick Odair in
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It seems odd for Claflin to be taking on another role in a big blockbuster, especially if the
Hunger Games films will be filming so close together.
As for the other choices, Eddie Redmayne is an up and coming British actor (Sound familiar-Andrew Garfield) who starred in
My Week With Marilyn and will be in this years'
Les Miserables. He too would be an interesting choice, and is a strong actor for the part who could work well with Andrew. Both Douglas Booth and Boyd Holbrook I am not familiar with, Booth has received a role in Darren Aronofsky's
Noah, while Holbrook will be starring in the adaption of the Stephanie Meyer's book
The Host.
In my opinion, I was very excited to see a new and more classical take on Harry Osborn, having him as a social outcast like Peter kind of similar to the
Spectacular Spider-Man version. I was all for DeHaan getting the part, although my original choice was Ehrenreich. I still think Ehrenreich can work out for this different version of Harry (Maybe even better actually), but the other actors I've thought of for the role no longer fit such as Anton Yelchin and DeHaan no longer fit the bill. Some people that I can think of off the top of my head for this more popular rich kid and athletic version of Harry would be Aaron Johnson
(Kick-Ass), Tom Felton (
Harry Potter), or Garrett Hedlund (
Tron: Legacy, although save him for Eddie Brock). The choice I'd really like to see for this version of the part would have to be Jamie Bell
(The Adventures of Tintin), who just barely lost out to Garfield for Spider-Man and would work great along side him, as well as blending some of the element of classic Harry into the version Sony is now going with.
Who do you think should play Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2?
