Caffeinated Clint
Sony Pictures have announced that Emma Stone will be the female lead in director Marc Webb’s “Spider-Man” reboot. Surprisingly though, the “Easy A” star is going to be playing Gwen Stacy, and not Mary Jane Watson as many understandably (considering the hair colour) assumed.
Here’s the press release :
SPIDER-MAN GETS HIS GIRL: EMMA STONE TO PLAY FEMALE LEAD
Stone to Play Gwen Stacy Opposite Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker
CULVER CITY, Calif., October 5, 2010 – Emma Stone has been cast as the female lead in the upcoming Spider-Man film from Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios, it was announced today by Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures. Stone has been tapped for the role of Gwen Stacy opposite Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker. The film, to be directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt and produced by Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will begin production in December and will be released in theaters nationwide in 3D on July 3, 2012.
The casting continues an association between Sony Pictures Entertainment and the actress, who previously starred in Superbad, The House Bunny, and Zombieland, all for Columbia Pictures; she may currently be seen in Screen Gems’ hit comedy Easy A, and takes a cameo role in Screen Gems’ upcoming Friends with Benefits.
Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach said, “It’s been an incredible journey for us to watch Emma’s star rise as an actress. She is extraordinarily talented and has a very special on-screen spark that is perfect for this role. Given her history with the studio, casting her in one of our most important franchises is a real thrill.”
Webb added, “The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice. At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl. Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own. Much to my surprise, it was fun to find out that our choice for Gwen (Emma) is also a natural blonde.”
Emma Stone can currently be seen starring in Screen Gems’ hit comedy Easy A. Next year, she will star in Warner Bros.’ Crazy, Stupid, Love opposite Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling and in The Help, the adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel; she also takes a cameo role in Screen Gems’ Friends with Benefits and will voice a role in DreamWorks Animation’s comedy The Croods. Stone’s recent credits include Paperman, Zombieland, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, The House Bunny, The Rocker, and Superbad.
Previously…
Update! According to Deadline, Emma Stone is – not suprisingly – to be offered the role of Mary Jane Watson in director Marc Webb’s “Spider-Man”. Considering her relationship with the studio, and the fact that they’ve helped carve out a nice career for her, it’s likely Stone will say yes to Sony. That leaves “Glee” star Dianna Agron, Australia’s Mia Wasikowska, Georgina Haig and Dominique McElligott to battle it out for the film’s other coveted female role, Gwen Stacy. We should have some official announcements this week.
Previously…
I adore Emma Stone. But those of you who heard the podcast a couple of weeks ago, in which Ms Stone appeared, know that. I think I got her blushing – not that I could see her over the phone. Haven’t got one of those “Back to the Future 2” contraptions installed in the office just yet. She’s a delightful girl. Really sweet. But she’s also super-talented…. in comedies. I think she’s a wonderful young comedienne – a bit Gilda Radner, a bit (and I say this affectionately) Amanda Bynes.
Saying that, I don’t think Emma Stone should pursue the female lead in Sony’s “Spider-Man” reboot. She’s too good for that.
It’s not surprising that the shingle are said to be courting Stone for the role – they love her, she’s starred in some of their biggest ‘young people’s’ hits over the past couple of years (“Superbad”, “Zombieland”, “Easy A”) but more so, she’s on the verge of becoming a big, big star.
I think she’d be wasted in a film like “Spider-Man”. You see, that film is going to eat up so much of her young life… years… that she’ll be 30 before she gets to do anything else. But also, does she really want to be known as Mary-Jane Watson or Gwen Stacey (nobody knows who the lead female character is yet) for the rest of her career? In some respects, that’s what’s happened to Kirsten Dunst. Despite giving us some great performances before and after the “Spider-Man” series, Dunst will seemingly be forever listed as “Spider-Man star Kirsten Dunst”. There’s too many other good opportunities out there for Stone to grab. She don’t need no stinkin’ franchise.
According to EW, Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland”) is also up for the same role. Now that, I don’t mind so much. I like the girl. She’s sweet. Talented too. But her star’s not shining as brightly as Stone’s is at the moment.
Another Sony flick that Stone is being courted for is “21 Jump Street”. That’s the big screen adaptation of the ol’ Johnny Depp series, with Jonah Hill writing and starring. Hill, of course, starred alongside Stone in “Superbad” so assumingly it was his idea to try and get Stone onboard this one. I don’t mind this idea so much. I think it might make better use of Stone’s comedic talents. She also seemed to have good chemistry with Hill in “Superbad”. More so, I’ve read the “21 Jump Street” script and it’s surprisingly good. Slick. Fun. Lots of action. A bit of a “Zombieland”-feel to it, if you will.
“Spider-Man” is out 2012. In 3D. No less.
