Even though it comes from the totally unreliable Showbiz Spy, this is a rumor that is somewhat credible. But that said, take it for what it’s worth.
Anyhow, the gossip site is reporting that musician/actress Zooey Deschanel is in the mix for the role of Betty Brant in the upcoming “Spider-Man” reboot. As you might recall, Betty is J. Jonah Jameson’s personal assistant and a love interest for Peter Parker. In Sam Raimi‘s trilogy, the role was played by Elizabeth Banks and the character didn’t factor too strongly in the films, so it remains to be seen if a) this rumor is even true and if so b) what director Marc Webb‘s plans are for the character.
The main reason we’re bothering with this is that Zooey Deschanel seems like the perfect fit for a film that is utilizing known, young and still on-the-rise talent. While Deschanel might have a couple of years on her castmates Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, she kind of fits the profile exactly of the young talent that has circled the film and we’re sort of surprised her name hasn’t come up sooner. And of course, let’s not forget, that Webb directed her in the very successful “(500) Days Of Summer.”
Anyhow, it’s another interesting twist in casting for the production which is gearing up to go in front of cameras next month. In addition to Garfield and Stone, the cast features Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Uncle Ben and Aunt May with Rhys Ifans playing the villain, The Lizard. The 3D film will sling into theaters on July 3, 2012.
