Emma Stone takes female lead in Spider-Man movie

(AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK)

The star of Easy A, Superbad, and Zombieland, Emma Stone, will star in Marvel's upcoming reboot of Spider-Man opposite Andrew Garfield ( The Social Network), who will play Peter Parker aka Spider-Man.

"The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice," said director Marc Webb in the press statement. Webb directed the independent hit (500) Days of Summer.

Stone is cast as the tragic love interest, Gwen Stacy, the role played in Spider-Man 3 by Bryce Dallas Howard ( The Twilight Saga: Eclipse). The Mary Jane Watson role by Kirsten Dunst is not expected to be reprised in this film.

The as-yet-untitled Spider-Man movie begins production in December and will be released in 3D on July 3, 2012.

Next year, the actress stars in Crazy, Stupid, Love opposite Steve Carell; The Help, an adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's bestselling novel; and Friends with Benefits with Justin Timberlake; and she voices a role in the animated comedy The Croods co-starring Ryan Reynolds.

RC