The Amazing Spider-Man 2 A-List Cast Keeps Growing

Amazing Spider-Man 2, complete with new suit.

This post requires more Emma Stone.

UPDATE: Mary Jane Watson's scenes cut from Amazing Spider-Man 2. Shailene Woodley no longer involved.

If you want to know who are the hot, rising stars in young Hollywood, look no further than the ever growing cast of The Amazing Spider-Man sequel. The rebooted franchise already boasts top young talent in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, but that talent list keeps on growing with the additions of Dane DeHaan, Shailene Woodley, and Felicity Jones. To top it off, Chris Cooper, Jamie Foxx, and Paul Giamatti have signed on to the Marc Webb directed film with Sally Field and Martin Sheen set to return. However, with such an elite ensemble, there is a fear that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 could become weighed down by an influx of stars and their respective storylines.

While true to the comics, Webb's first film took a different approach than Sam Raimi's Spidey trilogy by choosing Gwen Stacy to be the one true love of Peter Parker. However, things may be changing in Parker's life with the introduction of Mary Jane Watson, to be played by Shailene Woodley (The Descendents).

Now the next paragraph may contain spoilers, so click here if you don't want to be spoiled.

Okay, don't get mad at me for spoiling this. Now, most Spidey fans know that Gwen Stacey ends up kicking the bucket, which is why Peter ends up hooking up with MJ. However, Gwen ends up dying when Spider-Man fails to save her when she is tossed off a bridge by Green Goblin. Well, sort of. Spider-Man is able to catch her with his web, but Peter is not sure if the whiplash snapped her neck or she was dead before he caught her. Obviously, this is a huge moment in comic book history, and one that any comic book fan should read.

Now, this is where Mary Jane comes into the picture. MJ was a close friend to Gwen, and Gwen's death brings Peter and Mary Jane closer together. After grieving the loss of their mutual friend, the two begin a blossoming relationship that ends up with Peter and MJ getting married. So at least two of them get a happily ever after (sorry, Gwen).

Peter Parker: Giving hope to socially inept nerds since 1962

It remains to be seen if Emma Stone's Gwen Stacey will meet her demise in this film, but since Shailene Woodley's Mary Jane wasn't in the last film, the most likely scenario will have Gwen being killed off in a third installment. Other reasons that this will be the case is that the main villains in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will not be Green Goblin, but rather Electro and The Rhino.

Okay, spoilers semi-over.

To recap a bit without spoiling, Mary Jane and Gwen are close friends in the comics. However, a romance between Peter and Mary Jane seems unlikely to begin until the third film for reasons that would be spoilers.

Top Left to Right: Stone, Garfield, Woodley, DeHaan
Bottom Left to Right: Foxx, Jones, Giamatti, Cooper

Also in the spoiler section, it was noted that the main villains would be Electro and The Rhino. Electro will be portrayed by Jamie Foxx, while Paul Giamatti will be rampaging as The Rhino. Foxx has mentioned that Max Dillon (Electro) will have quite a different origin story than the comic books. In an MTV interview, Foxx said:

"You'll see that in his whole life, no one is talking to him. People have stolen his ideas at the big company. He's a nobody. At a certain point, Spider-Man bumps into him and says, 'You're my guy. You're my eyes and ears on the street.' And he says his name - no one has ever said [Max] Dillon's name. He goes, 'Wow' and, when Spider-Man leaves, he sort of thinks that, 'I am Spider-Man's partner!' He's cutting out Spider-Man's face and pasting it on all his boards..."

Foxx also stated that the suit will most definitely not be like the one in the comics, calling it "new age." While Electro is a bit of a campy villain, expect Webb and crew to make the villain seem realistic and fitting within the universe created. After all, Webb did make Dr. Curt Connor, aka Lizard, come alive and look not half bad. The real challenge will be Giamatti's Rhino.

Electro and Rhino wreaking havoc.

If you thought the Lizard was pretty "far out" there, The Rhino is a bit more so. Aleksei Sytsevich is a science experiment gone wrong. His skin became super hardened that helped increase his strength and speed. Because science. Rhino also wears a suit that further aids his super-strength, and it features a horn-like spike, which explains the name. While the concept may seem similar to Connor's Lizard, Sytsevich is notorious for being one of the dim-wittiest villain in the Spider-Man comics. While I don't doubt Giamatti's acting skills one bit, I am a bit apprehensive when it comes to what exactly Rhino will end up looking like. The villainy doesn't end with these two either.

As fans of the Raimi trilogy will know, Norman Osborn is a man up to no good. Chris Cooper is booked to play the President of Oscorp. It has yet to be known if Cooper's version of Osborn will feature his villainous alter-ego, Green Goblin. Cooper's Osborn is most likely saving his villainy for the third film.  

Spider-Man's Rogue Gallery

If two villains seem like a lot, well, Webb keeps on dropping subtle hints that Venom may be making an appearance as well. However, this Venom may not be attached to Eddie Brock, as seen in Spidey 3, but rather, as Norman Osborn's son, Harry. When looking for an ideal candidate for Harry, Sony said they wanted an actor with "athleticism and good looks." Enter Dane DeHaan, who can be seen in the underrated Chronicle, Oscar winning film, Lincoln, and Lawless. DeHaan definitely has the looks and acting chops to pull off the role. He is also bulking up to pull off the athletic look.

Webb has teased various pictures via Twitter that Venom may make an appearance with Harry being the alter-ego. A recent picture of yet another Spidey suit may be further evidence of a possible Venom introduction.

While The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will feature the classic comic book suit design (fanboys gave a collective sigh of relief), the suit from the first Amazing installment will still be present (fanboys are now sharpening their pitchforks). The reason for the switch to the classic design is yet to be known, although it is quite feasible that instead of the first suit becoming damaged by Venom, it could well be shredded by any of the many nemesis Spidey will face.

With Lizard in the last film and the introductions of Electro and Rhino, Webb may be gearing up for a Sinister Six party. If a Doctor Octopus is mentioned in the film, this will most likely be the case. 

said photo to the right.

Hopefully, Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man will be ready for the onslaught of villains he will face in this film (Electro and Rhino) and the next (possibly Green Goblin and Venom) and beyond (Sinister Six, perhaps?). There is potential for many more super-villains, as Webb tweeted a picture of The Ravencroft Institute and recently released photos show the institute. The Institute holds some of the most dangerous criminals that Spider-Man faces (Ravencroft is the equivalent to Arkham Asylum or Blackgate Penitentiary in the DC Universe). Colm Feore also appears in the photo to the right in an unspecified role.

Spider-Man will need all the help he can get, and perhaps his crusade has spawned more like-minded crime fighters. While still in the shadowy depths of the rumor pool, Felicity Jone's character has been tied to Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat (I would defend the role and say that it's different from Catwoman, but for the sake of time, yeah, it's a Spider-Man version of Catwoman). While Jones' role is still undefined, whomever she plays will most likely be more than a bit role, as she is a rising star in the industry. 

Wow. Spidey gets around.

But wait there's more! The latest tagline attached to AS2 is "High School Graduation Can't Come Soon Enough." Even though Spidey will be battling villains, perhaps Peter Parker will have to juggle his web-slinging and book studying along with an ever growing social circle. Rumors also mention that Pete may be entering college, as well. College scouting, villains running amok, love life, and being a brilliant student will sure make life pretty stressful for Peter Parker and his alter-ego Spider-Man.

One more Emma Stone pic is necessary.

Even though the casting may be overwhelming and seem crowded, Webb's Spider-Man has a much different tone than super-hero film counterparts, Batman and the Avengers. Not overly gritty and realistic, the introduction of a wide range of villains and characters may actually work well. It did not work to have more than one villain in Spidey 3 and undoubtedly fans are having sick premonitions of history repeating itself. However, as someone who will always be skeptical of the hastily rebooted franchise, I expect a fun web-slinging film with some excellent talent.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be swinging into theaters May 2, 2014, and like its predecessor, the sequel will be available in 3D.