Relative newcomer Andrew Garfield has been cast as Peter Parker—and, consequently, Spider-Man—in Sony Picture's upcoming reboot of the billion-dollar franchise.

Even Garfield, 26, whose most significant screen time to date is in two films that haven't come out yet, just got the news Thursday afternoon, a Sony rep said.

Garfield was in Cancun doing press for Never Let Me Go, which he stars in opposite Keira Knightley, when he found out at the same time as the international press circuit.

He also stars with Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg in the upcoming making-of-Facebook thriller The Social Network.

The original intent was to make a Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi, but it stalled in preproduction and the studio opted to start from scratch with a prequel take on the comic book classic.

Garfield, a Los Angeles native who was raised in England, also appeared in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus and Lions for Lambs.

"Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor's work understand his extraordinary talents," says director Marc Webb. "He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker."

Garfield's inevitably hyped superhero debut hits theaters July 3, 2012. Cameras start rolling in December.