Chris Columbus - Harry Potter Director: 'Lerman Would Make A Fantastic Spider-Man'

Moviemaker CHRIS COLUMBUS has given teenager LOGAN LERMAN a huge boost in his battle to become the next SPIDER-MAN, insisting the newcomer would be the perfect replacement for TOBEY MAGUIRE.

Lerman is the star of the Harry Potter filmmaker's new movie Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and Columbus is full of praise for the 18 year old, who last week (ends05Feb10) announced he was in talks to become the next Spider-Man.

Sony studio executives dismissed his claims but Columbus insists the movie bosses would be foolish to ignore him.

The director says, "It's Logan that is a terrific actor. He is just a stunning actor and a deep soul that it's remarkable to me he hasn't done more work, even though he's 17. He's got the chops to be the next Leo DiCaprio.

"When he did the screen test he had the ability and technique of someone twice his age, so he would be a fantastic Spider-Man. He would be a fantastic anything because he's that good of an actor."