'Spider-Man' movie reboot news: Helmers vying for director's seat

Sony Pictures website

Almost everyone is talking about who the next Spider-Man will be (Asa Butterfield and Tom Holland are among the most well-known young actors vying for the coveted role), but not many are really talking about who will be directing the upcoming movie centered on the web-slinger. 

Marvel likes to entrust blockbuster-level responsibilities to directors unaccustomed to the genre and this might be the case for the "Spider-Man" movie, too. At the moment, the studio is in search of the right person to helm the highly-anticipated film and the competition, it seems, is fierce.

While "Vacation" directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein are still in the running, two directors reportedly made quite an impression on Marvel and Sony. These two are Ted Melfi, known for his work in "St. Vincent," and Jonathan Levine, who helmed "Warm Bodies" to blockbuster success. From among a dozen contenders competing for the honor to bring Peter Parker back to high school, Deadline says that these two are the top choices. 

The aforementioned site, however, also mentioned another surprise candidate for the "Spider-Man" director search: Jon Watts. He directed "Cop Car," a new thriller starring Kevin Bacon set to hit theaters in August but already debuted in Sundance. Out of the three, Watts is the newest in the industry. 

In the end, the tough decision will be made by producer Amy Pascal, president of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige, and Sony Pictures head Tom Rothman. During the search, Marvel and Sony are also said to be in talks with several writers although Deadline notes that the chosen director may double as the writer, too. 

The "Spider-Man" movie will swing to the silver screen on July 28, 2017. The hero will initially appear in "Captain America: Civil War," which will mark his arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.