One of the greatest strengths of Marc Webb's maybe-too-soon reboot is an opportunity to recast the roles from Sam Raimi's trilogy with a truly impressive ensemble. Like many of the best superhero movies today, "The Amazing Spider-Man" attracted some major talents, so in honor of that film's release, we're taking a look back at each cast member's best movie.
Andrew Garfield - "Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980"
Though he primarily appears in the first film of the trilogy, Garfield kicks off the "Red Riding" series with a lead role in the strongest entry. In "1980," the actor dons his almost forgotten English accent as Eddie Dunford, crack journo from the north country, who is just about the only man daring enough to investigate the case of disappearing children. The entire series is worth watching, but Garfield really stands out here.
Emma Stone - "Superbad"
The role that started it all and the one that set the tone for her cool, sarcastic persona, "Superbad" announced the arrival of Emma Stone. As Jules, Stone's character is the impetus for all of the mayhem that goes down between Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, and in a few short scenes, she demonstrates why she has become one of the most likable actresses in working in Hollywood.
Rhys Ifans - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1"
If we're being completely honest, nothing comes close to the Boy Who Lived. Ifans had the benefit of one of the series' more bizarre and morally ambiguous roles as the torn Xenophilius Lovegood. For as strange as Luna's father is, Ifans' take on the character shows a surprising amount of restraint and range, as he struggles with whether he should turn Harry over to Voldemort.
Martin Sheen -"Apocalypse Now"
One of the hallmarks of the 70s Golden Era, Francis Ford Coppola's journey into the heart of the Vietnam War ranks among the best films of all time. Martin Sheen stars as Captain Benjamin Willard, the man tasked with heading into enemy territory to find the rogue Colonel Kurtz. The closest call of the list, it's also worth mentioning Terrence Malick's feature film debut, "Badlands."
Sally Field - "Forrest Gump"
"My momma always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'" Sally Field played the momma behind the famous motto in the 1995 Academy Award winner for Best Picture. In that film, she took on the kind of strong mother role she became known for, and the type she once again excels at in "The Amazing Spider-Man."
Denis Leary - "The Sandlot"
Yes, Denis Leary is in "The Sandlot," and he, in fact, plays a vital role to the 90s kids classic. He plays, Bill, Smalls' stepdad and the owner of the ill-fated Babe Ruth ball that flies over the fence and into the clutches of The Beast. Coming relatively early in Leary's acting career, the role is drastically different from the snappy, fast-talking characters that would dictate the rest of his resume. Smalls' stepdad anchors the story with real-life heart, and, frankly, it gets us every time.
What is your favorite movie starring a member of the "Amazing Spider-Man" cast? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!
