This is big news for any Spider-man fan. The newest film, The Amazing Spider-Man debuted to some mixed reviews, but mostly positive takes from the Marc Webb installment. With critical success, as well as financial success ($752 million grossed worldwide), of course a sequel would be inevitable. Webb has already been confirmed to return as well as Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. But now the up and coming Shailene Woodley is destined to join the cast as the fiery red-head Mary Jane Watson. More after the jump.

Early rumors about this casting surfaced this week, but now THR confirms Woodley has officially been offered the role. Even though the contract has not been inked yet, Woodley is definitely going to be playing this role. She would be a fool to turn down a part this huge for her career. In my opinion, Woodley could very easily become a household name.

With her success on the television show The Secret Life on the American Teenager and her acclaimed work in The Descendants, the young actress is ready to take the next step into stardom. She recently just inked a deal to be the female lead in a film titled Divergent. That is a huge step in the right direction, but that film will most likely been seen a fraction as much as the new Spider-Man flick.

Many of you are asking, how does she fit into this Spider-Man universe with Emma Stone playing Gwen Stacy? Well, here’s how. Minor spoilers to follow.

via THR:

Woodley initially had scheduling issues as an obstacle to the dealmaking, having had offers to play both Mary Jane and the Divergent lead. But the Mary Jane role is proving to be only a very small part in Amazing Spider-Man 2 but blossoms into an integral lead for the planned third movie as the studio seeks to build to the classic “Death of Gwen Stacy” story.

I really like this idea. What better way to throw an obstacle in the way of the hero than a meaningful death? This is a very realistic and drastic outcome heroes face when dating, recently seen in The Dark Knight. I’m excited to see this trilogy unfold. The Amazing Spider-Man sequel is set to begin shooting this Winter and expected to hit theaters in May 2014.

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