Last week, Coming Soon got an exclusive first look at Andrew Garfield’s new costume from the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
The updated attire now seems more similar to Tobey Maguire’s Spidey in almost every single way, which might seem like a step backwards if the previous Amazing Spidey costume hadn’t looked so amateurish. Though that was to the appeal of the film and Garfield’s character in the first flick – he being a teenager who hadn’t exactly specialised in fashion design – an update to something a little sleeker was certainly due.
The largest way in which the new costume differs from any previous attempts is in its bulbous white eyes. They look almost like cartoons, harking back to Spidey’s comic book history – especially the particularly exaggerated, super-stylish Spider-Man of the Ultimate universe. Upon even the slightest examination, the eyes become so iconic it’s amazing to think they’ve never looked like this in previous films. I see this image and think, “damn, that IS Spider-Man”.
This new costume seems indicative of a Spidey who’s found his place in the city. As an icon, equally a part of the New York skyline as the Chrysler building. There’s only so long we can put up with seeing the same story through a different director’s eyes and, while Webb’s portrayal of the origin story was fresh and was treated with the care it was due, there is trepidation that the introduction of Mary-Jane Watson so soon into the reboot, or the inclusion of Norman Osborn in the villain’s seat once again might be a step too safely planted in the same footprints as Raimi’s series.
At least Webb has certainly done one thing right already: Spidey’s new costume is absolutely amazing!
We are currently seeking Film contributors on WhatCulture. To find out more about the perks of being a Film contributor, click here.
19 Comments
I’m sick of the Raimi comparisons. You know, Raimi didn’t invent Spidey’s suit, he simply did what had to be done : faithfully reproduced the original suit from the comics (minus the web-armpits).
Spider-Man’s costume is not Quantum physics, it has one of the simplest looks a superhero suit can have. Raimi followed the comic book version, and Webb is following the comic book version. I’d expect nothing less from a director who is putting together Spider-Man movies.
That being said, I am more than pleased by that new costume. I loved the Amazing Spider-Man’s one, and having a different suit for the first movie and then a perfect suit for the sequel just shows that evolution Parker/Spidey will have throughout the trilogy. I feel there is going to be more unanswered questions a the end of TASM2, like ine the first one, because I feel they won’t close every plotline they introduce in the movie. It ties the movie together in a more solid way.
I dunno, I think it’s a worthy comparison. Raimi’s suit had a silver lining, which really worked for the webbing detail but didn’t quite make the eyes pop. Unmistakably Spider-Man, but less iconic than this which – I persist – is a better rendition of the comic-book design than we’ve seen on film so far.
I sometimes find artistry more complicated than quantum mechanics… but I’m uncertain that that’s relevant. Both directors have had their chances to add a little flourish to the design, though nobody’s changed it fundamentally. And honestly, I think that had they gone straight to being absolutely faithful to the comic-book version, we’d have reached a design like this a whole lot sooner.
It’s the first time I’ve ever properly wanted to own a version of the film costume I could wear myself… That’s not weird, is it? I mean for Halloween parties, not for fighting crime (and I’ll never confess to the contrary).
I understand that ! That costume is pimpin’ who wouldn’t want one for themselves ? Hell, i’d want ten of them !
Nobody really cares what you’re sick of. Raimi’s movies, including Spider-Man 3, were much better than the atrocity that calls itself Amazing Spider-Man. Nobody that matters liked the horrible costume for AS-M, either.
Woah now. Spider-Man 3 was awful! And Spider-Man wasn’t great. Number 2 was rather good. But not a single one of those films got the character right. Story and action were there, but there was this massive chasm between comic-book character and cinematic representation. They were like two wholly different beings. I honestly do have some issues with the story in The Amazing Spider-Man. Some parts are heavy handed, other parts are just missing – perhaps lost in the edit – so the film, as a whole is a little flimsy. But I think that’s made up for in a big way by the acting talent and their representations of the characters as I feel they ought to be! The Amazing Spider-Man was a great character introduction, whether or not it was a great film… or so I think, anyway. Still, improvements do definitely need to be made for the sequel. Characters can’t hold a world forever without properly constructed narrative.
speak for yourself.
I love the new suit. Even though the first one kind of grew on me, I’m glad they’ve shifted to this new one. Can’t wait for the new movie!!!
I did like the first one. So understated. Obviously professionally made, but it was simplistic enough that you could almost imagine it wasn’t. Seemed fitting as the first costume Parker would design. But this one… Those eyes… Love it!
What has changed?
Big white eyes. Although I kind of understand your reaction. This is the first time we’ve seen eyes like this on the cinematic Spidey but they feel so usual – probably due to decades of their being this way in the comics.
I liked every Spider-Man suit so far but this one is shaping up to be my fave. Looks exactly like the comic. I was always a fan of the big white eyed look, myself.
Definitely! This is the look we should’ve gotten ages ago. Not that the other costumes were bad. You just can’t top a classic!
Well I can say that after seeing this new costume, I feel a lot more relaxed with the new film. As long as they work on Electro and try to follow a more serious tone to his character (compared to the comics) I can safely say this could be better than Spider-Man 2.
I didn’t yet know Electro was in the film. So that’s Electro, Rhino and Osborn (who may or may not – probably not – don the Green Goblin mantle), as well as the return of Gwen Stacy and the emergence of Mary Jane Watson. I’m beginning to fear The Amazing Spider-Man 2 might leave just as many holes as the first film did.
To be fair, Osborn will likely just be Osborn for this film – seems they’re building a longer ark for the rise of the Goblin… but it still seems like a lot to get through.
Most people who say spider-man 3 is better than TAS are obviously raimi-fans who are still angry the franchise has been rebooted.
In some ways, it works as its own comedy parody film… Y’know like the Scary Movie franchise. Spider-Man 3 was so bad it sometimes looks like it’s mocking itself! …and it’s genuinely quite good in that respect. :P
true. i really wanted to like spider-man 3, but it all went downhill fast. Emo dancing spider-man is something that scared me for life. By the way, who else rolled their eyes of slapped their forehead when mj was kidnapped… AGAIN?!!!
Sounds like MJ has ‘Princess Peach Syndrome’…
“Thank you Spider-Man! But our princess is in another castle!”
one thing i think could increase the character i the movies would be if they could find a way to make his eyes react to his emotionslike in the comics