July 1, 2010 - Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios finally made the official announcement. After months and months of speculation and rumors, Andrew Garfield is the new Spider-Man. Garfield will be taking over the role of Peter Parker in the reboot of the Spider-Man franchise set to hit theaters on July 3, 2012. According to Columbia Pictures, Garfield is going to start getting in Spidey shape immediately.
Filming is expected to begin in December with (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb at the helm.

James Vanderbilt wrote the screenplay, and Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad will produce.

Among the names thought to have been on the short list for the role, in addition to Garfield, were Josh Hutcherson, Jamie Bell, Frank Dillane, Alden Ehrenreich, Aaron Johnson and Anton Yelchin.

In a press release announcing Garfield's casting director Marc Webb said, "Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, President of Columbia Pictures stated, “Spider-Man is a classic superhero - a young man who balances his responsibility to serve humanity and crush evil with the shyness and normalcy of someone struggling to find himself. The role demands an extraordinary actor. You need someone who can magically transform himself from Peter Parker into Spider-Man.

An actor who will depict the vulnerability of youth and the strength and confidence of a legendary figure at the same moment. We have found that actor in Andrew Garfield. From the first time we saw him in the upcoming film The Social Network, to his glorious screen test, which floored all of us, we knew that we had found our new Peter Parker.”

Producer Avi Arad added, “I’m incredibly excited about Andrew Garfield. In the Spider-Man tradition, we were looking for a smart, sensitive, and cool new Peter Parker who can inspire us and make us laugh, cry, and cheer. We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”

In addition to the upcoming films The Social Network, I'm Here, and Never Let Me Go, Garfield's credits include The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, Lions For Lambs, Red Riding Trilogy – 1974, and Boy A.