Sony confirms: Emma Stone cast as Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man reboot.

Now that this is fact, I can share what little I have to say about it. As has been rumored for the last half-week, Emma Stone has in fact been cast as the 'female lead'/'love interest in Marc Webb's Spider-Man reboot. To the surprise of many, she has been cast not as Mary Jane Watson, but as Gwen Stacey. Yes, we had heard early on that Mary Jane would not be the lead female character, but the rumors that Emma Stone was on tap led to obvious suspicions that MJ was going to be in the film after all. I know hair color can be changed, but it's funny how they cast a blonde (Kristen Dunst) as Mary Jane and then two redheads (Bryce Dallas Howard and now Emma Stone) as Gwen Stacey. Although, as noted in the press release, Stone is apparently a natural blond.

Obviously the role is going to be huge exposure for the up-and-coming star, who has just come off the critically-acclaimed, financially successful, and pretty darn terrific teen comedy Easy A. Considering that she opened a 'her face on the poster' comedy to around $18 million less than a month ago, one might argue that playing 'the girl' may be a step down for the Superbad/House Bunny star. Of course, that just depends on the material. It's no secret that Brian Michael Bendis's Ultimate Spider-Man stories are being used as a basis, and that excellent series is as much a teen romance comedy as it is a web-slinging adventure. And considering how few lead roles have been offered to Anna Faris since her 'break-out' hit The House Bunny two years ago, Stone may realize that actually starring in a hit film is no guarantee in the offering of quality work for young female comedians in Hollywood. Here's hoping that Ms. Stone will have more to do than bash her eyelashes at Peter and get kidnapped in the third act. Anyway, the obnoxiously-title press release ('Spider-Man gets his girl') is below.

Scott Mendelson

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.”