Jamie Bell Was Nearly Cast as ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ — Now He’s Starring Opposite Andrew Garfield

Two actors once vying for the same superhero role ended up years later as real-life collaborators. Now, they're finally comparing notes on how close they both came to comic book stardom.

Before Andrew Garfield became the web-slinging hero fans have come to love, Jamie Bell was also in the running to don the red-and-blue suit. Garfield, 43, starred as the titular high schooler turned friendly neighborhood hero in 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man."

However, both he and Bell, 40, were seriously considered for the role during the casting process. The actors — who star together in their new period drama, "The Uprising" — had never discussed that bit of shared history until recently.

The pair addressed their race to play Peter Parker during a joint appearance on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" on Monday, September 14, after an audience member asked whether the topic had ever come up while filming "The Uprising."

"It's actually just come up for the first time a second ago," Bell told the fan, as Garfield, seated beside him, joked that broaching the subject was "kind of awkward."

Host Andy Cohen, 58, expressed disbelief, stating that their conversation about the 2012 role during the commercial break moments earlier "can't have been the first time" they'd discussed it. But according to Bell, "I think it was. Yeah," he said.

The English star recalled a dinner in Los Angeles that both he and Garfield attended before the part had been cast, while executives were still "deciding." Still, he quipped, "I think it was pretty obvious who it was going to be."

During that dinner, Bell said, "There was a big table with a lot of people, and, like, a salt shaker fell off the table. And me and Andrew both kind of went for it, and everyone was like, 'Whoa, Spidey senses!' Remember that?"

The jogged memory drew laughter from Garfield, who said, "I do remember." "I mean they clearly chose the right guy. He's a phenomenal actor," Bell added of his costar, who pushed back, "No. No."

Several other actors, including Frank Dillane and Josh Hutcherson, were also being considered for the titular role in "The Amazing Spider-Man," Vulture reported back in 2010.

But Garfield ultimately landed the part, going on to portray the hero alongside Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy in the 2012 film and its 2014 sequel, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."

He later reprised the role in 2021's "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" alongside fellow Spider-Men Tom Holland and Tobey Maguire. As for how far Bell advanced in the casting process for "The Amazing Spider-Man," the actor previously told Vulture he got "really far."

"I screen-tested and everything," Bell said, adding that he never got to wear the actual Spider-Man suit. "No, they didn't do that in the screen test. We did a bunch of scenes with Marc, and I was one of many people who did it. It was a great experience, a great opportunity."

More than a decade later, Bell and Garfield have united their talents to play rebellion leaders in "The Uprising," based on the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, when farmers, priests, and working-class citizens across England rose up to overthrow their tyrannical king.

Bell stars as heretic priest John Ball, while Garfield portrays a character called Ploughman, a grieving farmer who unwittingly finds himself thrust into a leadership role.