The British are coming! Tobey Maguire's title role as Spider-Man is being usurped in the new Spider-Man Reboot by the United Kingdom's Jamie Bell, who won fame in 2000 for his leading part in Billy Elliot. In America, he is also known as the former boyfriend of American actress Evan Rachel Wood, who is now linked to Marilyn Manson.

The 24-year-old Billingham, England native is in the upper age range for the part, as director Marc Webb is trying to give the franchise a fresh look by bringing the character of Peter Parker back to high school. Other candidates included Alden Ehrenreich, Frank Dillane, Andrew Garfield and Josh Hutcherson. Bell brings some serious acting accolades. He won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the British Film Awards in 2000 for Billy Elliot, and has also starred in movies including King Kong, Jumper and Defiance.

A little British invasion is never minded, but realize that this is the fourth installment of the Spider-Man movie series. Sony is going to need a lot more than a charming accent to infuse the franchise with superior Spidey-senses. Is it possible that Webb is in a standoff competition with the makers of Shrek for who can create the most undesired summer sequels?

Columbia Pictures is officially "not commenting" on Bell's involvement with the production, which will be released on July 3, 2012.