For a dude who strummed ukulele at Damien Memorial School and never acted locally, Jacob Batalon feels stunned and lucky to land a role in Marvel Studio’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” now filming in Atlanta. Batalon, 19, will portray Spider-Man/Peter Parker’s best friend, Ned Leeds, in the reinvented superhero flick, scheduled for release in July 2017. The movie is poised to be one of next summer’s sizzlers.
Amid cheers and applause from the gallery, the 2014 Damien graduate appeared with his co-stars and creator Stan Lee at the recent Comic-Con in San Diego. But he doesn’t yet feel like a star. “It’s humbling,” he told me last week. “God has definitely been good to me.”
Because Damien had no theater program, Batalon was a late bloomer in theatrical or film training. In May he graduated from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, learning about the acting craft in a two-year program. Not surprisingly, he was startled when his agent called him to inform him of the “Spider-Man” role months ago.
“This was at 10:47 at night, and he said I got a role in the film but he told me the producers weren’t sure what they wanted me to be,” he said. “But I didn’t care. I was so happy and elated that I had actually passed out for a good two minutes after my agent called me.”
Batalon said he’d been waiting since March, when the buzz started, but it wasn’t until June that he was confirmed to play Ned Leeds.
“When they told me I was gonna be Ned, I was in Bryant Park in New York, just going absolutely crazy,” he said. “I was yelling and screaming and cheering. I’ll never forget that feeling.”
When “Spider-Man” and its cast were introduced at Comic-Con, the response was overwhelming. “That’s when I realized the gravity of it all,” he said. “I knew this film was big, but being in front of those fans who really love Marvel in general … it was so humbling. It made me realize this is a lot bigger than all of us.
“I just want the fans to be happy, and if they’re happy I’m happy. And yes, most definitely, I am definitely a fan.”
Tom Holland will star as the next Spidey, alongside Laura Harrier, Zendaya and Tony Revolori. Robert Downey Jr. is expected to appear as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.
BONDING FRIENDSHIP: Joy Abbott, hobbling with a cane, visited her Punahou chum Betty Loo Taylor at a rehab facility a few days back. Abbott, a jazz singer, and Taylor, the town’s adored jazz pianist, jointly earned a Na Hoku Hanohano Award in 2008 for their “For All We Know” CD.
“We both cried when we saw each other,” said Abbott upon seeing Taylor for the first time since the latter suffered a stroke. Abbott is home for a few weeks, recuperating from a recent surgery, and divides her residency between Honolulu and Florida.
“She can’t move her right arm or leg, but she was able to eat the Chinese food we brought her with (her) left hand,” said Abbott. “We had a good time reminiscing, and she seems to be able to remember the good old times.”
The harsh reality, said Abbott, is that “Lady Fingers,” the nickname bestowed on Taylor for her wizardry on piano, “may never play again.”
Taylor speaks with a slur and has occasional lapses of memory, but determination could help her on the path to recovery. However, her performing days appear to be over. …
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY: Eddie and Myrna Kamae will mark their golden anniversary 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Elks Club. Bobby Moderow of Maunalua will perform solo that evening, prompting Myrna to say, “Lucky us that he’s playing on the perfect night.”
Moderow and George Kuo alternate on hump days at the Elks, next door to the Outrigger Canoe Club, but because of the Kamaes’ 50th wedding anniversary, close friends will assemble to toast the couple, who are true Hawaiian treasures. Myrna adds, “No lei, just bring your favorite wine and I’ll pay the corkage fee, and there will be some pupu. Or don’t bring anything is fine, too.”
Since Eddie’s birthday (his 89th) is the next day, the Kamaes intend to party on at the Wailana. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com.
