Michael Barbieri, a teenage actor who won acclaim for his role in the indie “Little Men,” is in talks to join the cast of “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” TheWrap has learned.
Barbieri will join actors Tom Holland (Peter Parker) and Marisa Tomei (May Parker). Also making an appearance is Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark) and Michael Keaton as an as-yet-unidentified villain.
Sony Pictures had no comment as to what role the young actor will play, but an individual familiar with the script said he is in Peter Parker’s group of high school buddies.
While media reports suggested Barbieri would play a role based on the Marvel comic book series character Ganke — a Korean-American boy, both the insider familiar with the script and another individual close to the project denied this, saying Ganke would not be included in the story.
Barbieri’s character is simply listed as “a kid at school,” the first individual said.
The 14-year-old seems to be on a hot streak since he was recently cast alongside Idris Elba in the Sony/MRC adaptation of Stephen King‘s “The Dark Tower.”
He also starred opposite Theo Taplitz, Jennifer Ehle and Greg Kinnear in director Ira Sachs‘ “Little Men,” an indie that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival which was acquired by Magnolia Pictures.
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” is directed by Jon Watts and is expected to be released on July 17, 2017.