Well, well, well, it looks like we were all mistaken. Emma Stone wasn't going out for the Mary Jane Watson role in Spider-Man as originally reported. Instead, it was the opposite: She was auditioning to play Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker's first love interest and the lead female role in the film. Sony has issued an official press release noting that Stone, a natural blonde (you Spidey loyalists will feel better about the decision after hearing that), has come onboard to play Gwen Stacy, though there's no other word on whether that means she's the only female love interest. 
The press release does note that Stone will have the female lead, but there's still a chance another one of these shortlisted ladies (like Mia Wasikowska) will be cast in a different role; perhaps that of Mary Jane Watson. As of now, though, it looks like Stacy is it, and we have no idea how many films she's signed on for. Will Gwen Stacy meet her demise in this first installment, like she does in the comics? Or will Stone continue to play Stacy throughout a three-film story arc?
Should be interesting to see what happens as we move forward from the lead female and move toward the lead villain. Will it be Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Venom, as previously reported? Could they finally give us The Lizard? This is getting juicy …
Check out the full press release below …
"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."
