Spider-man WILL Alternate Lead Role

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 6:13pm

http://www.actorsandcrew.com/twittersplit.html?http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144666-Will-Matthew-James-Thomas-Share-Title-Role-in-Spider-Man-With-Reeve-Carney

"London's Daily Mail is reporting that film actor Matthew James Thomas will be the alternate Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcoming Broadway production of Julie Taymor's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

The British-born actor, according to the London paper, will play the role twice a week. Reeve Carney will star in the production six times a week."


Is Reeve cracking under the physical and emotional pressure? Weird that should this be true, the alternate would be brought in so late.

Updated On: 11/16/10 at 06:13 PM

[steven22]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 6:16pm

I'm just hoping that I see Reeve when I go on 1/13

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 6:18pm

Yeah, I was just thinking that even though Reeve isn't a 'household name' or anything, he IS the face of the show that's been put out there for so long. I know I'd be more than a tad upset if he was out when I saw it. I understand why this might be done, but it's still disappointing. But if it's for the good of the actor, I see why it's needed.

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 9:55pm

Wouldn't ya think they'd realize they might need an alternate sometime BEFORE the week they're supposed to start previews? Isn't there anybody with any common sense behind this show?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 9:57pm

No.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:00pm

Oh come on now. You can't seriously pretend that you snapped up tickets to this thing because superstar Reeve Carney will be playing the lead.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:09pm

Hah- no! But I have to believe there will be a marked difference between seeing the guy who's been with the show for several years now as opposed to the dude who is getting thrown in 2 weeks before previews will allegedly start.

And they haven't even run the dang show through fully yet! How are they finding the time to train ANOTHER Spidey??

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:48pm

Why did they pick a British guy? I find it hard to believe that there is NO ONE here in the states that could play this role.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:05pm

I was thinking the same thing^

I thought Equity had to approve non-American casting? And that they wouldn't allow them unless the production proved how they were the only possible choice? (Or something like that.)

After all, I thought they were suppose to be concerned about jobs for...well....American actors.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 11:19pm

Nothing about this show surprises me anymore. It wouldn't even make me think twice if they were offering abortions in the lobby. I'd just say "That's so Taymor".

[PReeves2]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 12:25am

ummm.....just a thought....but, maybe it was the producers plan all along? throw out this info after the delay is announced and think that no one will see it?

[PReeves2]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 12:29am

regardless of my previous post I still can't wait to see it! I'm trying to be optimistic about things for a change. most everyone should try it.

[dave1606]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 12:36am

Britania High the best show ever!
I urge everyone to see the brilliance of this actor here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7b0T7f3Swg

[Here I Am]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 6:42am

Jordan Catalano, you just made me crack up! :)

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 7:29am

For the record, the new actor who's taking over the role of Peter Parker from Tobey Maguire in the 'Spider-Man' movies is Andrew Garfield, and he's British, too. I'm kind of baffled that they couldn't find a single American guy for that role. That said, Garfield's a terrific actor (see him as Mark Zuckerberg's former pal in 'The Social Network').

With all due respect to Reeve Carney, the star of his show is Spider-Man, not Reeve Carney. Given the physical and vocal demands, I'm not surprised to hear about an alternate. I imagine it was always in the plans. John Selya had an alternate in 'Come Fly Away': Cody Green, who was fantastic. Sahr Ngaujah had one in 'Fela!': Kevin Mambo. There's an alternate for Tony at 'West Side Story.' An alternate still goes on for Christine at 'Phantom' matinees. It's hardly unprecedented. As for 'Spider-Man,' I'm guessing there are already other guys doubling for Carney in the stunts, and given the humongous size of the Foxwoods Theatre, other than the scenes where you see him as Peter Parker, who will even notice the difference?


Updated On: 11/6/10 at 07:29 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 8:04am

Seeing a fully covered by costumed actor is hardly the same thing: that's simply a stunt double (or two).

No one said it was ground breaking at all. We don't KNOW the vocal demands of the show -- no one has heard anything but a song or two. (And Tony having an alternate is relatively new.)

It certainly may have been the plan all along, but I'm going to guess that it's become obvious during rehearsals that either it was necessary: whether that's because the role is too demanding or just too demanding of Reeves is yet to be seen.

This is just more fuel that composers,however, are disregarding the vocal health of performers (as was brought up in another post a while ago.) Roles should be WRITTEN so that a single performer can "handle" it.

[sweetTb'way]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 8:19am

Just because the press release went out doesn't necessarily mean that he was just hired yesterday. He could've been onboard with the production from the get go.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 8:43am

^that too -- I meant to suggest that as well!

[scott68]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 9:24am

For what it's worth, his name was listed in the complete cast when they released it on August 16.
Playbill article

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 10:54am

Dave- Thanks for the music video link! He does seem to have a pretty strong voice. And is kind of adorable too...

Since we're nitpicking about nationality here though, can I just be the first to hope that he wears a wig or dyes his hair brunette? Blond Spidey just doesn't work for me.

But there is a trend of British peeps playing American superheroes. We kind of have to give them something, since they really don't have any good ones of their own! I mean... League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.... and that's it. I can't say I really care at this point after the film Batman, Spider-man and others have been British. The only time a non-American playing an American superhero would really bother me is in the case of Captain America... because that would just be ridiculous.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 11:02am

Someone mentioned stunt doubles? Rumors I have heard is that Reeve actually has SIX stunt doubles. And He NEVER flies. They lift him into the air offstage once, but other than that, its always his doubles flying.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 11:08am

Why is this a surprise. I'm actually surprised there aren't 3 or 4 Spideys. I mean, these boys are probably going to get hurt left and right. By a month in, a swing will be playing Spiderman.

I agree with dramamama-we know nothing about this show or its demands and I have a sneaking suspicion there will be some pre-recorded vocals and "enhanced" singing ala Glee. Actors can't sing while being whipped around like puppets.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 11:40am

"Hah- no! But I have to believe there will be a marked difference between seeing the guy who's been with the show for several years now as opposed to the dude who is getting thrown in 2 weeks before previews will allegedly start."

For several years? Wasn't he announced for the role just last November?

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 11:44am

haha- ok, fine. ONE year. Still though, I think the same point stands.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 11:38am

Also:
NYT jumps on the news a week late:
https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/wary-of-demanding-lead-role-spider-man-producers-eye-use-of-backup/


"Mr. Carney will be in all of the preview performances (which were delayed this month until Nov. 2 leading up to opening night on Jan. 11 and the critics’ reviews, after which Mr. Thomas is expected to start stepping in. One executive said Mr. Thomas would perform twice a week..."