Andrew Garfield is 'Spider-Man' in franchise reboot

Sony Pictures has found its new "Spider-Man" -- the web-slinger will be played by Andrew Garfield when the franchise resets in 2012.

Garfield's previous credits include "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," "Lions for Lambs" and a couple episodes of "Doctor Who." He also co-stars in "The Social Network," the story of Facebook's creators, which comes out in the fall.

The 26-year-old was born in Los Angeles but grew up in England after moving there with his parents as a child.

Garfield was the last man standing after a long casting search that also included the likes of Logan Lerman, Jamie Bell, Josh Hutcherson and Frank Dillane. Marc Webb ("(500) Days of Summer") is directing the new "Spider-Man," which is set for a July 2012 release. Production on James Vanderbilt's ("Zodiac," "The Losers") screenplay is scheduled to start in December.

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

Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal and Columbia Pictures president Matt Tolmach say Garfield had a "glorious" screen test for the role, while producer Laura Ziskin says he has the "right mix of humor, youth and pathos, along with an underlying sense of strength" necessary to play Peter Parker.

The search for a new Spidey began in earnest after Sam Raimi, who directed the three previous "Spider-Man" movies that starred Tobey Maguire, opted out of the fourth one. Sony then decided to take the story back to the beginning.

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