Latest Spider-Man Rumor: Zooey Deschanel as Betty Brant
Posted 11.11.10 by Ryan
Director Marc Webb's upcoming Spider-Man reboot has been the subject of many rumors since Sony decided to start over with the successful franchise. Here are a few examples: in August, Christoph Waltz was falsely rumored to be the villain in the movie, months before Rhys Ifans was cast in a role that is also rumored to be the Lizard. Rumors also surround the role of J. Jonah Jameson, which reportedly had actors John Slattery and Sam Elliott contending for the role, with Elliott refuting the rumor. Recently, Sally Field was rumored to be up for the role of Aunt May, and, in further rumors, the role of Mary Jane Parker may not even show her red-haired head in the reboot.
Time to add another story to the growing pile. This time, the rumor belongs to the hard journalism of gossip site Showbiz Spy, who claim a source has informed them that Webb is talking with actress Zooey Deschanel, whom the director worked with in (500) Days of Summer, to play the role of Betty Brant, Jameson's assistant at the Daily Bugle, and, in the comic books, Peter Parker's first love interest. A "movie insider" told the site that Webb has "big plans" for the character.
Betty was a minor character in the previous Spidey movies [with Elizabeth Banks in the role] but Marc has big plans for her. He wants a strong performer to carry the role and Zooey fits the bill perfectly. The role is hers if she wants it.
Considering Deschanel and Webb's previous working relationship, the rumor isn't totally outrageous, but we could as easily claim that (500) Days' Joseph Gordon-Levitt was going to play Flash Thompson in the movie (He isn't, as far as we know, though we haven't contacted a "movie insider" about it yet).
What is known is that Andrew Garfield is playing Peter Parker, Emma Stone is playing Gwen Stacy, and the movie opens on July 3, 2012.