Phones and some very loud voices on behalf of Josh Hutcherson’s management are undoubtedly being heard all across Hollywood this morning as Latino Review has anonymously acquired and posted Hutcherson’s audition reel for Marc Webb’s “Spider-Man.”
Of course, as you know, Andrew Garfield landed the gig, but Hutcherson was long rumored for the part and was one of many contenders for the role. Well, his audition reel reveals why. Hutcherson makes a decent (if not particularly memorable) Peter Parker and in the spot, most of which is him beating up an array of jocks who are bullying him in the halls at high school, displays that he’s an admirable physical performer and would’ve had the presence to pull it off. Of course, we certainly have no beef with Garfield landing the gig, but we imagine Webb and Sony had a difficult choice in front of them.
Now, before you cast judgment or project what’s in the video onto the film, bear in mind, the scene presented probably was written quick and solely for audition purposes. Fight choreographer Larnell Stovall, who has done work on a bunch films we will never see like “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth,” “Undisputed III: Retribution” and “Endless Bummer,” apparently lent his talents here.
You can watch the audition tape — while it’s still up — over at Latino Review.