It seems like a lifetime ago, especially considering how many appearances Spider-Man has made in the MCU since 2015, but just five years ago, it was being reported that actor Asa Butterfield was the frontrunner to become the new Peter Parker for Sony and Marvel Studios. Of course, we would eventually find out that Tom Holland landed the role and is already about to begin production on his third solo ‘Spider-Man’ feature after appearing in multiple films already as the Wallcrawler. But now, five years later, Butterfield is able to look back at his missed opportunity to be a superhero and he’s able to understand that maybe it all worked out for the best.
READ MORE: ‘Sex Education’: The Kids Are Growing Up & Hooking Up In Season 2 [Review]
Speaking to Collider, while promoting his Netflix series “Sex Education,” Butterfield was asked about losing the role of Spider-Man for Marvel Studios and Sony. The actor has been able to come to terms with losing the role, and in fact, he isn’t so sure he’d be able to do what Tom Holland has already accomplished with the character.
“Every so often there’s a part [that you really want] and it’s a script you love, and you kind of put your heart and soul into it, and you don’t get it,” explained Butterfield. “And it is tough and it is shit, but I often find that something even better comes out of it at the end. And so in the case of ‘Spider-Man,’ I did ‘Sex Ed,’ because I wouldn’t have been able to do both of those at the same time.”
In addition, the way that the actor explained it, it appears that Butterfield’s version of Peter Parker would have likely been very different than the performance fans have seen from Tom Holland, who has quickly become an iconic version of the character. While he doesn’t give details, Butterfield isn’t so sure he would have been able to do what Holland has done.
“I think as an actor and going out for roles, there’s only so much you can do and everyone’s gonna have a different take on a part and look at a character in different ways, have a different sort of performance, and you kind of have to stick with what you think,” he said. “And if that isn’t necessary in line with what the director and the producers want, then it’s like, there’s nothing you can do about that. You might just not be the right person, and that’s out of your hands. And that’s something I’ve learned, something that I think is great to help me kind of get over it. Because Tom did amazing things with Peter and he had an entirely different portrayal of him and I think it’s worked so well in the universe and in that part, and I don’t think I could do it. So I think all things work out in the end.”
Of course, we shouldn’t be too sad for Butterfield. In the grand scheme of things, he’s been perfectly successful even after losing the career-making role. In addition to “Sex Education,” he’s starred in features such as “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “The Space Between Us,” and “Greed.”
If you have yet to watch “Sex Education,” you can do so now on Netflix.