NEWSShailene Woodley Says She Was Shocked to Learn Her Mary Jane Role Was Cut From 'Spider-Man 2' a Year Later
Shailene Woodley discussed her unexpected 'Spider-Man 2' exit years after filming scenes as Mary Jane Watson.
Sept. 1 2026, Published 1:11 p.m. ET
Shailene Woodley never expected her time as Mary Jane Watson in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to be cut before fans ever saw her on screen.
"Oh, we shot it. That was a fun phone call," Woodley said during an interview with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
"Then, like a year later, they were like, 'So, you’re not in the movie anymore.' I was like, 'What? What do you mean?'" she recalled.
Shailene Woodley Recalled Why Mary Jane Watson's Story Was Put on Hold
Shailene Woodley recalled the filmmakers’ explanation for Mary Jane Watson’s storyline in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2.'
Woodley recalled how the filmmakers explained why they decided not to continue Mary Jane’s storyline in the film.
"And they’re like, 'We’ve introduced a lot of new characters in this last one, and we’re going to wait for whatever happens between [Emma Stone] and Andrew [Garfield],'" she said.
The role had special meaning for the actress, who grew up loving the superhero and his world.
"I was cast as Mary Jane for 'Spider-Man,' which was my dream," she admitted.
She continued, "Oh my g--, Spider-Man’s my favorite superhero; Mary Jane was my favorite character growing up. So, when I got it, I was like, 'This is so exciting!'"
Shailene Woodley Filmed Scenes With Andrew Garfield
Shailene Woodley recalled filming scenes alongside Andrew Garfield.
Woodley also recalled filming with Garfield, saying they shot about "three scenes together."
She expected to see them in the finished movie, but they were ultimately left out.
"That’s what I was told, but again, who knows what the truth is? I could have been terrible, and they were like, 'We can’t do this,'" the 34-year-old added.
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone starred as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2.'
Per Page Six, the plan was for Mary Jane to enter the story after Stacy's death, but the franchise never reached that point.
Plans for a third film were eventually scrapped.
Garfield first played Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012, with Stone portraying Stacy.
Her character died at the end of the second film during a confrontation involving Dane DeHaan's Harry Osborn.
Garfield later returned as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home, appearing alongside Tobey Maguire and Tom Holland.
Andrew Garfield Opened Up About Spider-Man Return
Andrew Garfield said he is interested and ready to continue his Spider-Man journey.
Per Deadline, Garfield shared his thoughts on reprising the role.
"I really love playing Spider-Man. I would love to play the character again in some capacity, but I think it would have to be very weird," said Garfield last year.
He continued, "I think I would want to do something very strange."
