The Amazing Spider-Manwasn’t the first time the iconic web-slinger swung onto cinema screens. 5 years after the conclusion ofSam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy,Andrew Garfieldstepped into the spidey suit and launched a new iteration of the classic character. Directed byMarc Webb, the film was a box office success (grossing nearly $758 million worldwide) with praise given for Garfield’s realistic performance and the film’s visuals, but criticized for its retreading of a familar story.A sequel followed in 2014, though it was the last entry inthisiteration of theSpider-Manfranchise.
The character, however, lives on, withTom Hollandtaking over the titular role in a new batch ofSpider-Manfilms. But whetherThe Amazing Spider-Man(and its sequel) are some of your favorites or you’re looking for a refresher on yourSpider-Manmythology, here’s a handy cast and character guide, as well as some insight into what the cast is up to now, to help you differentiate your Mary Jane Watsons from your Gwen Stacys.
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Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield)
Peter is an introverted yet gifted teenage student at Midtown Science High School. Despite the loving influence of his Aunt May and Uncle Ben, he has difficulty finding peace and his place in the world since his parents’ mysterious disappearance as a child. He is bullied at school but has the support and friendship of Gwen Stacy to keep him going. Upon discovering his father’s papers that lead him to Oscorp, Peter sneaks into the building where he is bitten by a genetically-enhanced spider that gives him super-human abilities, which he uses to target the city’s criminals.
Prior to donning Spider-Man’s suit and web-slingers, Garfield portrayed characters in films such asThe Other Boleyn Girl,Never Let Me Go, andThe Social Network, where he played real-life entrepreneurEduardo Saverin.
After reprising his role as Peter Parker inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2, he played historical figures such as war heroDesmond DossinHacksaw Ridge, advocate for disabled peopleRobin CavendishinBreathe, and televangelistJim BakkerinThe Eyes of Tammy Faye.Most recently, he can be seen as real-life composer and playwrightJonathan LarsoninLin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debutTick, Tick… Boom!
Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone)
Gwen is Peter’s classmate (and love interest) at Midtown Science High School. As the oldest child in her family, she is brave, independent, and not averse to taking risks if it’s for the greater good. She stands up for those who are bullied (including Peter) in addition to displaying her intelligence as Oscorp’s chief intern. She’s not one to run from danger and manages to play a crucial role in the film’s climax.
Aside fromThe Amazing Spider-Man, Stone starred as Olive Penderghast inEasy A, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan inThe Help, and Hannah Weaver inCrazy, Stupid, Love.
After reprising her role as Gwen Stacy inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2, Stone starred as Sam Thomson inBirdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Mia Dolan inLa La Land, Billie Jean King inBattle of the Sexes, Abigail Masham inThe Favourite(for which she earned a nomination for an Acadamy Award for Best Supporting Actress), and Cruella de Vil in the live-action origin storyCruella. She canalso be seen in Yorgos Lanthimos’upcomingPoor Things.
Dr. Curt Connors / Lizard (Rhys Ifans)
Dr. Connors is a leading scientist at Oscorp, as well as the former partner of Peter’s father, Richard. At the urging of his superior, Rajit Ratha, Connors creates a serum to save the life of Oscorp founder, Norman Osborn. His plans go awry when he begins testing the serum on himself, turning him into a9-foot-tall man-lizard hybridwith green, scaly skin. During a combative encounter, Peter discovers that Connors plans to turn all of humanity into human-lizard hybrids in an effort to purge the world of humanity’s many weaknesses.
Prior to hisAmazingSpider-Mandays, Ifans is known for playing Spike inNotting Hill, Grutas inHannibal Rising, Xenophilius Lovegood inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, and Edward de Vere inAnonymous.
AfterSpider-Man, he had roles in films such asAlice Through the Looking GlassandSnowden.Most recently, he can be seen as Hector DeJean in the television seriesBerlin Stationandas Grigori Rasputinin theKingsmanspin-off,The King’s Man.
George Stacy (Denis Leary)
George Stacy is Gwen’s father and a New York police captain. He wants the best for his family, and his role in law enforcement causes him to be incredibly protective of his children (especially Gwen). Captain Stacy doesn’t believe Spider-Man to be the savior of the city that so many claim him to be, and has a hard time trusting the new masked vigilante as well as his motives. His duty to protect his loved ones and his city leads to Captain Stacy finding himself in the middle of a climactic brawl between Spider-Man and Lizard.
While Leary might be most well-known for his role of New York City firefighter Tommy Gavin in the television seriesRescue Me, he has also appeared in films likeThe Sandlot,The Ref, and theIce Agefranchise. Since portraying George Stacy in bothThe Amazing Spider-Manand its sequel, Leary has appeared in the filmDraft Dayas Coach Penn, as well as the seriesAnimal KingdomandSex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.
Ben Parker (Martin Sheen)
Ben Parker is Peter’s uncle and May’s husband. When Peter’s parents mysteriously vanish after leaving a young Peter on Ben and May’s doorstep, Ben becomes a surrogate father figure to his nephew. Like many uncles and nephews, there’s a large generational gap between Peter and Ben, and they frequently have trouble bridging it and seeing eye-to-eye. Despite this, Ben fiercely loves Peter and takes it upon himself to help him navigate and unravel Peter’s complicated feelings towards his parents' disappearance while also helping to guide and keep him out of trouble.
Though probably most well-known for his role as President Josiah Bartlet inThe West Wing, Sheen has also starred in films such asApocalypse Now,The Dead Zone,Wall Street, andThe Departed.
In the years since his role as Uncle Ben, Sheen has appeared in films likeSelma,Judas and the Black Messiah, andCome Sunday. On television, he has starred as Martin Goodson inAnger Managementand Robert Hanson in Netflix’sGrace and Frankie, in addition to narrating documentaries such asUnityandAmerican Hercules: Babe Ruth.
Aunt May Parker (Sally Field)
May Parker is Peter’s aunt who, along with her husband Ben, become Peter’s primary caregivers and parental figures. With her kindness and warmth, May is the ideal aunt. She is caring, patient, and incredibly wise. She worries about Peter (and has a low tolerance for lies and disrespect), but she is there at a moment’s notice when Peter or her husband need to talk or lean on her for support.
Sally Field has had a long and lauded career portraying memorable characters in films likeMrs. Doubtfire,Forrest Gump, andNorma Rae. Since her days as Aunt May (a role which she reprised inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2), Field has held many roles on both stage and screen. She portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln inLincoln, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, in addition to Doris inHello, My Name Is Doris, Miss Shaylock inLittle Evil, and Janice Foster in the limited seriesDispatches from Elsewhere. She can also be seen as Jessie Buss in the upcoming Lakers drama series,Winning Time(2022).
Rajit Ratha (Irrfan Khan)
Rajit Ratha is an executive at Oscorp. He is the superior of Dr. Curt Connors and pressures him to create a cure for the dying Norman. While sophisticated and powerful, he can be seen as reckless and has a disregard for human life, especially when he decides to immediately test Connors' newly-developed cure on innocent people before giving it to Norman. In some fairly large ways, Ratha is responsible for Connors' transformation into Lizard.
Khan had a long career in Indian cinema before making a splash in the United States in films likeThe Darjeeling Limited,Slumdog Millionaire, andLife of Pi. Following hisAmazing Spider-Manrole as Rajit Ratha, he starred inJurassic Worldas Simon Masrani,The Jungle Bookas the voice of Baloo,Inferno, andPuzzle. Sadly, Khan died in 2020.
Rounding out the cast in supporting roles areChris Zylkaas Peter’s high school bully, Flash Thompson,Campbell Scottas Peter’s dad, Richard Parker, andEmbeth Davidtzas Peter’s mom, Mary Parker, while Spider-Man co-creatorStan Leemakes a cameo appearance as a librarian at Peter’s high school.
