Several Actresses Up for Love Interest Role in Spider-Man Reboot
Posted 08.23.10 by Ryan
So far, casting on director Marc Webb's upcoming Spider-Man reboot has only succeeded in landing one official actor: Andrew Garfield, who was cast as Peter Parker, the nerdy high school kid who becomes a superhero after being bit by a radioactive spider. With production set to start this December, Sony is looking to cast Garfield's love interest, a role that will surely draw ire from scores of comic book fans since it will not be the character of Mary-Jane Watson, the life-long love interest of Spider-Man in the comic books. Kirsten Dunst portrayed the character in the original trilogy of movies.
What character will replace Watson is unknown. Looking at Spider-Man's comic book love interest history, the role could be Gwen Stacy, Parker's college love interest, but since the reboot will focus on Parker as a high school student, the love interest could be Betty Brant, Parker's first real girlfriend. It's also possible that the character could be a new invention entirely. Whoever she is, Sony is lining up several actresses for the part to read with Garfield.
THR reports that the following actresses recently read for the role: Imogen Poots (the upcoming Fright Night remake), Ophelia Lovibond (the upcoming Nowhere Boy and 4.3.2.1.), Lily Collins (The Blind Side), Teresa Palmer (The Sorceror's Apprentice) and Emma Roberts (the upcoming Scream 4, niece of Julia). Like Garfield, the list of actresses are relative unknowns, and, despite reading with Garfield, have no idea what the character is, since their scripts did not include a character name.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World's Mary Elizabeth Winstead was also reportedly up for the mysterious role, but has since fallen off the list. Those that remain in contention will also face competition from several other actresses that remain unnamed, and, since the actresses only read with Garfield and met with Webb, production is only in the preliminary stages of casting. Expect more names to be added to the list as December draws near.