Zendaya-KC-Undercover

Is this a case of Disney nepotism?  Perhaps, as Disney star Zendaya has signed on for an undisclosed role in the new as-yet untitled ‘Spider-Man’ movie to be co-produced by Disney subsidiary Marvel Studios and Sony.  Jon Watts (‘Cop Car’, ‘Clown’) is set to direct this reboot which will be set firmly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  John Francis Daley (‘Horrible Bosses’, ‘Horrible Bosses 2’, ‘Vacation’) provides the screenplay.  Zendaya joins Tom Holland who will play a teenage version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Marisa Tomei who will portray May Parker.  This will joyously NOT be another origin story.

Zendaya’s role is unknown and honestly she could be playing any number of parts, including rebooted versions of Mary-Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy or even Felicia Hardy.  Official reports don’t name her role, but Wikipedia lists it as “Michelle.”  It is stated that she won’t be playing a “starring” role, so she may not be the primary love interest or even a villain.  At least not yet.

Zendaya currently stars on Disney’s ‘K.C. Undercover’ and rose to popularity on ‘Shake It Up’.  She may be more recognizable to older TV viewers for participating on the 16th cycle of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ on which she came in second behind country singer Kellie Pickler.  She is also a recording artist, having contributed to various Disney soundtracks.  She released a solo album in 2013, with another due this year.  (She is also a style icon– her appearance on the red carpet sporting dreadlocks tore the panel on E!’s ‘Fashion Police’ apart, leading to the show’s cancellation.)

At any rate, it was big news when it was announced that Sony and Marvel were collaborating on a relaunch of the ‘Spider-Man’ movie franchise, following two disappointing Sony-only installments directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.  But after the initial casting news of Holland and Tomei, things have been extremely quiet.  Hopefully the fact that a third actor has been cast means that things are ramping up on this project.

The new ‘Spider-Man’ movie is scheduled for release on July 7, 2017.

How would you like to see the new ‘Spider-Man’ franchise handled?  Who do you think Zendaya will play?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter