Will the real Mary Jane Watson please stand up? 

If you haven’t been paying close attention to the comings and goings on Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, you might not be up to speed on the ongoing M.J. controversy that had Spidey fans speculating wildly about the franchise’s future. 
 
On the heels of the announcement that Sony was green-lighting two additional Spidey sequels – which will open in 2016 and ’18, respectively – news broke that Webb would push footage actress Shailene Woodley shot as Watson to Amazing Spider-Man 3. But before anyone could say “Excelsior,” rumors started to heat up that Woodley’s scenes would be scrapped, and the role of Peter Parker’s love interest would be recast for future installments. 
 
That rumor was aided by the announcement by ET Canada that Canadian actress Sarah Gadon would be joining the franchise in an unnamed role. Was she tapped to play the new Mary Jane? Is she Woodley’s replacement?  
 
 
The Wrap followed up, saying Gadon will NOT be playing Mary Jane, though confirming that the character still would be held for part three (allowing ASM2 to focus on Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy… and the tragic fate we believe awaits her). Does this mean she might play Betty Brant, secretary at the Daily Bugle? Because she isn’t playing Felicia Hardy, aka the Black Cat, as that role has gone to Felicity Jones (Like Crazy). 
 
This news continues the belief that Webb and Sony are populating a vast Spider-Man universe that now will be spread over the course of at least three more Spider-Man movies, starting with The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which will be in theaters on May 2, 2014.

Webb continues to shoot in New York City, and we’re actively talking about the film… which has to make the studio happy. As for the casting carousel, what do you think about Gadon and Woodley’s back-and-forth? Who makes the better Mary Jane? And are you glad they are saving the character for future installments? Share your thoughts below. 
 
 

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