Well we all said the amount of key characters in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was getting out of hand, though we didn't quite think it would come to this...
The Hollywood Reporter says Shailene Woodley's portrayal of Mary Jane Watson is being COMPLETELY CUT OUT of the web-slinging sequel, despite many of her scenes having already being shot. Not only that but it's being reported that Woodley will likely "not return and that the part will be recast" for The Amazing Spider-Man 3, so the actress is out of the franchise completely. Has she been booted out of the series or has she hinted that it's not even worth asking if she'll return because she ain't interested after how she has been treated here? Director Marc Webb is claiming that the character is gone because he needed to simplify the story (which is probably true given just how many new characters are said to be in this one) but as Woodley was one of the first cast in the sequel, it's a bit of a kick in the teeth for her that she's gone. Webb said in a statement;
"I made a creative decision to streamline the story and focus on Peter and Gwen and their relationship," "Shailene is an incredibly talented actress and while we only shot a few scenes with Mary Jane, we all love working with her.
Woodley responded to the news at Entertainment Weekly;
"Of course I'm bummed... But I'm a firm believer in everything happening for a specific reason. Based on the proposed plot, I completely understand holding off on introducing until the next film."
Whatever the truth, Sony have really dropped the ball here in losing the talented up-and-comer who impressed greatly in The Descendants and looks to be the real thing. She only shot three days during the filming in New York but the only chance we'll get to see her work is on the deleted scenes on the home video release, if we are lucky. Sony recently announced release dates for The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and 4 entries, so there's a major role once again available for an actress who could play Peter Parker's feisty red-head, played by Kirsten Dunst in Sam Raimi's original series. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opens next May and will introduce Jamie Foxx's Electro, Paul Giamatti's Rhino, Dane DeHaan's Harry Osborn, Chris Cooper's Norman Osborn, Colm Feore's Vulture with Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy at the core.