Director Marc Webb has found his Harry Osborn.  We learned back in October that Webb and producers were working to cast the integral role of Peter Parker's best friend, Harry Osborn, in the Amazing Spider-Man sequel, and a couple of casting shortlists followed shortly thereafter.  It was first reported that Dane DeHaan, Alden Ehrenreich, and Brady Corbet were in the running for the role, then a subsequent report claimed that producers had a change of heart and were looking to cast a more athletic-looking actor in the role.  Whether that second report was hogwash or not, Webb announced today on Twitter that none other than Dane DeHaan has come away with the role.  Hit the jump for more.Webb took it upon himself to break the news of DeHaan’s casting on his Twitter account this afternoon:[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/MarcW/status/275681673650253824[/EMBED_TWITTER] The press release adds that DeHaan has been cast in the next installment "of the Spider-Man Trilogy," once again noting that a three-film arc has been plotted out.  DeHaan made waves earlier this year for his impressive work in the superhero pic Chronicle, and he was a bit of a fan-favorite for the Osborn role once word came down that he was on the shortlist.  He’s got great range, and I think he fits in nicely with the ensemble of talented actors that Webb has assembled for the follow-up.  In addition to the returning Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, we also have Shailene Woodley set as Mary Jane and Jamie Foxx in line to play the film’s villain Electro.  I’m interested to see how this new iteration of Osborn differs from the Sam Raimi version played by James Franco, and casting DeHaan in the part is certainly a great start.The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is set to begin production early next year in anticipation of a May 2, 2014 release date.  Read the press release below:

DANE DeHAAN SET TO JOIN CAST OF THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IN THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN™ TRILOGY

CULVER CITY, Calif., December 3, 2012 –  Dane DeHaan will join the cast of the next installment of The Amazing Spider-Man™ along side Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx and Shailene Woodley as Columbia Pictures prepares to begin production on the next chapter of the blockbuster franchise,  it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of production for the studio.

The screenplay is by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner based on a previous draft by James Vanderbilt. The film will be directed by Marc Webb and produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach.

The casting of DeHaan as Harry Osborn was confirmed this morning in a tweet by Webb (@MarcW) who wrote "Meet Harry Osborn. So excited to have him on board. @danedehaan."

"Dane is an exciting and extraordinary young actor and he is a fantastic addition to our cast," Webb said.

The new film in the Spider-Man saga is set for release in 3D on May 2, 2014. Production will begin in early 2013.

Webb, Garfield and Stone previously teamed on this summer’s blockbuster The Amazing Spider-Man, which has taken in more than $751 million worldwide.

DeHaan caught moviegoers’ attention with his performances in four 2012 releases: Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, opposite Daniel Day-Lewis and Lukas Haas; John Hillcoat’s Lawless, alongside Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and Jason Clarke; Bradley Rust Gray’s Jack & Diane, with Juno Temple and Riley Keough; and one of the year’s biggest sleeper hits, the adventure thriller Chronicle, directed by Josh Trank. He began his film career with director John Sayles and actor Chris Cooper in Amigo.

DeHaan next stars in Place Beyond the Pines alongside Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling.  In addition he will star in Atom Egoyan’s Devil’s Knot, with Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth, about the fate of the West Memphis Three; and John Krokidas’ Kill Your Darlings, with Jack Huston, Daniel Radcliffe, Ben Foster, and Kyra Sedgwick, set in 1944 amidst the Beat Generation.

Mr. DeHaan first came to industry attention with his portrayal of Jesse in the third season of the critically applauded drama series In Treatment, starring alongside Gabriel Byrne. This was followed by a guest arc in the fourth season of the popular horror series True Blood.

In 2010, he received an Obie Award for his performance in Annie Baker’s The Aliens, directed by Sam Gold. The Rattlestick Theater production was cited as “Play of the Year” by The New York Times. Mr. DeHaan made his Broadway debut in with American Buffalo, Robert Falls’ 2008 staging of the classic David Mamet play.