A couple of days ago there was buzz that Eastenders actor Sam Strike was going to be the new Spider-man. Many were sceptical, not least because Strike and his management were buzzing about ‘major news’ and a ‘big Hollywood’ film. Studios normally insist on total silence about huge casting news, so it seemed unlikely Sam was talking about Spidey (indeed he could have lost the role for having a big mouth).

Now we know what it is, and it’s far less exciting but still a big move for the young British actor. TheWrap reports that he’ll play the title role in Leatherface, a prequel to Texas Chainsaw Massacre with Strike taking us through the story of how a young man became the creepy machinery wielding maniac of Tobe Hooper’s movie (although it will presumably follow a different story to 2006’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning).

It’s not quite swinging through New York in a superhero suit, is it?

Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo will direct.

Strike caused minor controversy when he announced he was leaving Eastenders after playing character Johnny Carter for less than a year. While it was denied, some suggested he was leaving because his character was gay and he was worried about being typecast. However it now seems just as like that it was because Hollywood’s finger was beckoning, as it was was co-star Ben Hardy, who recently joined X-Men: Apocalypse.