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Over the weekend, it seemed like Emma Stone, who became one of the breakout stars of 2010 with the sleeper success of "Easy A," was all set to play Mary-Jane Watson, the love of Peter Parker's life, in Marc Webb's upcoming and still untitled "Spider-Man" reboot. An offer had gone out, and it seemed that the actress was likely to sign on. And indeed, a press release from Sony has announced that "Spider-Man" will indeed feature Ms. Stone in its cast. But not as Mary-Jane.
While Deadline suggests that Stone was originally offered the part of MJ, she has in fact taken on the role of Gwen Stacy, the first love of Peter Parker's life, and the role taken in "Spider-Man 3" by Bryce Dallas Howard. While the actress seemed to be a natural choice for the other role, partly due to the red-headed look she's been sporting since "Superbad," Marc Webb says in the release that it was fun to find out that our choice for Gwen (Emma) is also a natural blonde." Man, we hope that's not the only reason they've cast her...
Stone will be sporting blonde locks for the currently filming civil-rights drama "The Help," so audiences will at least have some time to get used to the look. We're huge fans of the actress, and between her, Garfield and (if rumors are to be believed) Philip Seymour Hoffman, it's shaping up to be a mean cast for a superhero film that we're cautiously optimistic about: at least more so than next year's batch of "X-Men: First Class," "Thor," "Green Lantern" and "Captain America."
One imagines that Stone may have made the switch because as a rising star, she may not want to be tied to as many movies, and if the film stays true to the comics this time, *spoiler* Stacy may get chucked off a bridge at some point in the first or second movie, paving the way for MJ to take over -- we can imagine that the idea of a one- or two-picture deal would be more tempting for the actress than being locked in for three films.
It remains to be seen whether any of the previously mentioned names (Dianna Agron, Georgina Haig, Dominique McElligott, Lily Collins and Mia Wasikowska) will be in the running to play Mary-Jane or if Sony will go back to the drawing board for the role. We reckon it's safe at this point to count out Wasikowska, who was said to be skeptical of the project anyway, but any of the other three could still theoretically be on board.
Frankly, these contender stories are boring so let's get to the good stuff. Buried in Deadline's story about who has joined the list of female leads for "Spider-Man" is a much more intriguing little nugget: Sony wants to bring back Venom and wants Philip Seymour Hoffman to play him.
Bear in mind, it's who they want, not who they're gonna get, and we may have laughed at this suggestion in the past, but with the likes of Mark Ruffalo cashing in their indie cred to play The Hulk, it's not so far-fetched. And let's not forget than Hoffman is no stranger to tentpoles, playing the villain in "Mission: Impossible 3." Hoffman wasn't the first name to be rumored for the villain, as Christoph Waltz's name cropped up late in the summer, but it's the first we hear of Venom which makes us wonder if more than one baddie will be in store (though Venom in the "Spider-Man" origin story seems to make no sense and is far too soon). But Hoffman as a baddie in "Spider-man"? That's the most exciting news about this film since Andrew Garfield signed on.
Onto the more boring news, which starts with the question: who, who and who? If you didn't think Sony and director Marc Webb were casting a huge, wide net for the female leads for Peter Parker in the forthcoming "Spider-Man" reboot, this should be an indication.
The upcoming/unknown Dianna Agron ("Glee," sorry we don't watch the show), Georgina Haig ("Wasted On The Young") and Dominique McElligott (Sam Rockwell's wife in "Moon") are in consideration for the roles of Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson. Agron actually tested last night, and we would imagine Haig and McElligott will be shortly.
According to Deadline, Agron, Haig, McElligott and the previously revealed Emma Stone and Mia Wasikowska are the final five candidates, but also adds the caveat that more may be added, so basically, this thing is not quite over and don't be surprised if more names crop up next week.
The gestating drama "Great Hope Springs" has been through a lot of changes since it was first announced earlier this summer. When we first heard of it, Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges were attached with Philip Seymour Hoffman linked and Jessie Nelson ("I Am Sam") directing. Shortly thereafter, Mike Nichols took over the director's seat with Streep and Bridges considered to be solid and the question mark being Hoffman. But it looks like things have changed again.
Vulture reports that James Gandolfini, after a table read for the film, has taken the role slotted for Bridges as a deal was never closed for the latter actor, with Hoffman now seeming more of a certainty. The film follows a couple (Gandolfini and Streep) who attend an intense counseling session over a weekend in order to decide the fate of their marriage. Hoffman would presumably play the therapist. Word is that both Hoffman and Gandolfini are eager to do the film, and Streep is game as well and is ready for a March shoot if talent and distribution deals can be locked down.
Obviously, anything with such an astounding lineup would garner studio interest and producers Mandate Pictures are already fielding domestic distribution offers from the big boys. We certainly like the talent attached and the material sounds great, here's hoping it moves forward.
Over the weekend, it seemed like Emma Stone, who became one of the breakout stars of 2010 with the sleeper success of "Easy A," was all set to play Mary-Jane Watson, the love of Peter Parker's life, in Marc Webb's upcoming and still untitled "Spider-Man" reboot. An offer had gone out, and it seemed that the actress was likely to sign on. And indeed, a press release from Sony has announced that "Spider-Man" will indeed feature Ms. Stone in its cast. But not as Mary-Jane.
