Spider-Man sequel to get new Mary Jane

Shailene Woodley is being lined-up to play the new Mary Jane Spencer in the sequel to 'The Amazing Spider-Man', according to reports.

The star of 'The Descendants' would be stepping into the shoes of Kirsten Dunst, who played MJ in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy.

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It's not known how this might sit with Peter Parker's current love interest, Gwen Stacey, particularly as Emma Stone is signed up to play her again in the sequel.

The film's production is also reportedly seeking a new Harry Osborn, initially Parker's friend – and son of evil businessman Norman Osborn, who goes on to become Green Goblin – who was played by James Franco in all three of Raimi's films.

Whether Osborn will be a villain character or not remains vague, but it's reported elsewhere that Electro, an electrical engineer who is turned into a human electrical capacitor after a lightening accident, is to feature in the new film.

Either way, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' director Marc Webb is signed on to helm the project once again, with Andrew Garfield donning the red suit to play your friendly neighbourhood web-slinger.

It's due for release on April 18, 2014.