Things have been mighty quiet on theSpider-Manfront over the last few months, but it appears that’s about to change. While Marvel Studios and Sony already cast the film’s lead,Tom Holland, last year so he could appear in Marvel’s upcomingCaptain America: Civil War, proper casting for the newSpider-Manfilm has begun, and Deadline has the word on the first addition. Actress and singerZendayahas landed a key role in the film after quietly testing for the part with a number of other young actresses.
A veteran of the Disney Channel with roles in shows likeGood Luck Charliein addition to starring in her own seriesShake It UpandK.C. Undercover,Spider-Manmarks 19-year-old Zendaya’s first major feature film role, and she is certainly age-appropriate to star opposite 19-year-old Tom Holland, with Marvel and Sony aiming to properly tell a high school-set story for the young Peter Parker.
So who is Zendaya playing? Deadline notes that her character’s name is Michelle, which is either a red herring or she’s playing a new character to the series and not one of Parker’s standard love interests Gwen Stacey or Mary Jane [Update: A few readers have pointed out shecouldbe playing Michele Gonzales, a character from the comics who becomes Parker’s roommate and love interest].
If Marvel and Sony really want to make their film and new Spider-Man stand apart from previous installments, especially so soon after theAndrew Garfieldfilms, it actually might be a nice idea to hold off on bringing Gwen or Mary Jane into the fold until the second movie or so. Then again, it’s possible that Zendayaisplaying one of these characters and Marvel is just being savvy, or—and here’s a change of pace—she’s simply playing a key character with zero romantic prospects whatsoever.
Also of note, and refreshingly so,THR’s Borys Kitreports that Marvel and Sony are looking to go “heavily non-white” in casting the supporting roles for thisSpider-Manreboot. This comes as Marvel is introducingChadwick Bosemanas Black Panther inCivilWar,with the studio landingCreedhelmerRyan Cooglerto direct the standaloneBlack Pantherfor release in February 2018. WithSpider-Man, we could be in for the most diverse Marvel movie yet and, hopefully, a sign of things to come.
Cop CarhelmerJon Wattsis directing the picture from a script byVacationwriters/directorsJohn Francis DaleyandJonathan Goldstein, whichKevin FeigeandAmy Pascalare producing in a joint-venture with Sony Pictures. As part of the unprecedented collaboration, Sony will get his own standalone franchise while Spider-Man also appears in various Marvel Cinematic Universe films, like the upcoming epicAvengers: Infinity War. But Sony is also developing otherSpider-Manfilms that are, for one reason or another, unconnected to this proper franchise, as we recently learned that the studio’s plannedVenommovie is heating up againas its own separate franchise.
Expect more casting announcements for the untitledSpider-Manreboot soon as filming aims to get underway this summer. The film will open in theaters on August 22, 2025.
