Confirmed: Emma Stone To Play Gwen Stacy In New ‘Spider-Man’

It’s official. Emma Stone is “Spider-Man’s” newest leading lady.

Columbia Pictures confirmed on Tuesday that the casting rumors are true and the actress is headed into the arms of the web slinger.

Emma will play Gwen Stacy opposite Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker in the reboot of the big screen franchise.

The studio announced the casting of Andrew, most recently of “The Social Network,” back in July.

“It’s been an incredible journey for us to watch Emma’s star rise as an actress,” Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures said in a statement about the recent “Easy A” star. “She is extraordinarily talented and has a very special on-screen spark that is perfect for this role. Given her history with the studio, casting her in one of our most important franchises is a real thrill.”

Marc Webb, who is set to direct the next “Spider-Man,” based on a screenplay by James Vanderbilt, said the interaction between Andrew and Emma was amazing.

“The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice,” Marc said in a statement. “At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl. Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own. Much to my surprise, it was fun to find out that our choice for Gwen (Emma) is also a natural blonde.”

Earlier this week, rumors circled that Emma might step into the role of popular “Spidey” love interest Mary Jane Watson — the role previously played by Kirsten Dunst in the first three film installments. As of now, there is no word on whether another actress will step into that role or if the character will be completely absent from either the upcoming film, or perhaps, from the entire franchise reboot altogether.

The “Spider-Man” reboot will begin production in December and will hit theaters in 3-D on July 3, 2012.