Spider-Man film nets new lead

Andrew Garfield, a California-born Brit, has netted the title role in the Spider-Man film franchise.

The 26-year-old, who is based in Britain, was unveiled late Thursday by Sony Pictures Entertainment, taking over from Tobey Maguire, who has played the superhero in three Sam Raimi-directed films since 2001.

The next film, shot in 3-D, will focus on Peter Parker as a high school student.

"[Garfield] has a rare combination of intelligence, wit and humanity," said Marc Webb, who will be directing the next movie.

Though unknown to North American audiences, Garfield has been building a career in the U.K., where his TV credits include Doctor Who and the Red Riding trilogy.

In 2008, he won a best actor BAFTA, the U.K.'s equivalent of the Oscars and Emmys combined, for his role in the TV drama Boy A.

He's currently starring in David Fincher's upcoming film The Social Network and has the lead in the big screen adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, Never Let Me Go.

Spider-Man 4 is due to begin production in December and is set for release in July 2012.