While I have grown less despondent and more curious in the time since The Amazing Spider-Man was announced back in early 2010, I've never really understood why they chose to cast Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. Though not her natural hair color, since breaking on to the scene in Superbad Stone has been identifiable as a redhead and casting her as Stacy instead of Mary Jane Watson - the comic book world's most famous carrot top. We've since learned that Stone has a multi-film contract and will appear in at least one sequel, but that doesn't mean Mary Jane isn't somewhere over the horizon.

SHH has learned that the Amazing Spider-Man production is now looking for a "actress to portray beautiful red-headed teenage girl for featured background...(18+ only)." Interested candidates are told that they should email FTextras@gmail.com about the opportunity. Directed by Marc Webb, the production recently shifted coasts, moving from Los Angeles to Spidey's natural home, New York. The Amazing Spider-Man hits theaters on July 3, 2012.

Needless to say, this is entirely speculative. There's no guarantee that the actress chosen for the part will be playing Mary Jane in future installments, or even that the character is Mary Jane. I will say that the phrase "featured background" is intriguing, and perhaps it means exactly what we think it means. Guess we'll have to wait and find out.