Sony Pictures is currently casting for the part of Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
The role of will be a rare opportunity for a lucky young actor. After the success of the first film, the second is sure to have a huge draw, and to be dropped into a major supporting role in the middle of a franchise like is a sure path to greater recognition. Interestingly, Sony isn’t looking for a superstar to fill the role.
To that end, they currently have four possible actors on a short list. The best known of the quartet is likely Sam Claflin, who recently played our prince opposite Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman. Also up for the role are Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth and Boyd Holbrook.
Previously, it looked like Dane DeHann was up for the part, but the producers changed their mind after seeing the most recent script draft – deciding they would rather have an actor with a more athletic build – DeHann isa bit lanky, and plays well the dark loner (he was Andrew in Chronicle, for example).
The part was played in the previous trilogy by James Franco, who was able to display great range in a character who went from friend to rival to villain in the course of the franchise. The role arguably launched his genre film career, leading eventually to the lead human role in Rise of the Planet of the Apes last year, and the titular lead in Oz: The Great and Powerful, which hits theaters next spring.
We don’t have a synopsis of the new film yet – the script isn’t even finalized – so we’re not sure how the character will be used this time. Since the first film spent so much energy showing how different it was from the previous trilogy, we can probably at least expect that it won’t be that same arc.
The sequel will bring back Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in the roles of Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker, and it’s been previously announced that Shailene Woodley will play Mary Jane Watson, while Jamie Foxx is in talks to play the villain Electro.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is slated to hit theaters on May 2, 2014.
