Zendaya has been cast as Mary Jane Watson in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’.
The 19-year-old actress has been confirmed to play the female lead role as the superheroes love interest in the forthcoming fantasy film, according to The Wrap website, a character which has previously been played by Kirsten Dunst.
Zendaya – who is known for her role in Disney’s ‘Shake It Up’ television show – will star alongside Tom Holland who plays the teenager Peter Parker and his alter ego, although Sony and Marvel Studios have yet to comment on the casting.
This news comes after rumours began to speculate about Zendaya’s character in the forthcoming movie when a clip appeared during Comic-Con last month, which saw the brunette beauty talking to Peter.
And director Jon Watts tried to throw people off track when he claimed Zendaya would play a character called Michelle in the film adaptation of the Marvel comics.
However, it has been reported Michelle’s real identity was part of a twist set to be confirmed near the end of the film when Zendaya’s character would ask Peter to call her by her nickname M.J.
Martha Kelly has also joined the cast of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, although the comedienne’s role has yet to be confirmed.
The production will be produced by Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige, whilst Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Chirs McKenna and Erik Sommers have joined forces to pen the script, which will focus more on the protagonist as a high school-aged pupil rather than his powers.
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ is set to hit the big screens in July next year.