Asa Butterfield Leads Spidey Race?

Latino Review posts that "Ender's Game" and "Hugo" star Asa Butterfield is the frontrunner to play Spider-Man as a result of the deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel to have him integrate as a part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.

 Butterfield's reps had "no comment" about the report.

 We were told last week that the potential candidates to play the role is down to 5 names--including Butterfield--former Spidey Andrew Garfield is out.

The other contenders are Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars), Tom Holland (In the Heart of the Sea),Timothee Chalamet ("Interstellar," "The Adderall Diaries") and Liam James (The Way Way Back). There were reports that Lab Rats star Billy Unger had been added to the list--Unger has since denied the chatter on Instagram.

The suits are expected to make test offers next week for the coveted role, with a decision expected in the next 2-3 weeks and a deal to then be hammered out. None of the five actors have received test offers yet, but all are said to be strong contenders who are definitely in the mix as of right now.

When the deal first came down two names were quickly mentioned as potentials to take over the role- Teen Wolf series co-star and NJ native Dylan O'Brien and  Fury co-star Logan Lerman. Both are 23 years old, both have scored good notices for their work and both could still play high school age. Bad Ass Digest reported in March that 16 -year-old actor Mateus Ward ("Murder in the First") auditioned for the role.

The plan is to stick with Peter Parker rather than introduce the more recent 13-year-old, half black, half Hispanic Miles Morales who became Spider-Man in the "Ultimate Spider-Man" storyline. It would also confirm rumors that the studio is going much younger than previous incarnations, and looking at true teenagers for the role.

Sony and Marvel had no comment regarding the list of potentials.  Whomever lands the role is expected to shoot his scenes for "Captain America: Civil War" this year

 Drew Goddard, who was originally slated to write and direct the Spidey spin-off "The Sinister Six," remains the frontrunner to direct the new film set for a July 28th 2017 release.

El Mayimbe says that the title for the Untitled Reboot of the film series may be "Spider-Man: The New Avenger". This would certainly clue audiences in on the direction the series is now headed.