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Deadline, Glamour UK, TVWeek

She’s ‘Pitch Perfect,’ But Too Old to Play Spider-Man’s Girlfriend — At 26

Jun 23, 2016  •  Post A Comment

A popular actress revealed she was turned down for the role of Spider-Man’s girlfriend because, even though she was only 26 at the time, she was considered too old.

Deadline.com reports that Elizabeth Banks, now 42 and a three-time Primetime Emmy nominee for guest performances on “30 Rock” and “Modern Family,” recounted the incident in an interview with Glamour UK.

“The actress and ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ director told Glamour UK that she tested for the role of Spider-Man’s girlfriend in the 2002 film starring Tobey Maguire but was told she ‘too old’ for the part,” Deadline reports. “Banks was about 26 at the time — less than 15 months older than Maguire.”

Banks is quoted in Glamour UK saying: “I screen-tested for the role of Mary-Jane Watson in the first ‘Spider-Man’ movie, opposite Tobey Maguire. Tobey and I are basically the same age, and I was told I was too old to play her. I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, that’s what I’ve signed up for.’”

Kirsten Dunst, who was in her late teens at the time, got the part.

Banks wound up in the first three “Spider-Man” movies anyway, in a supporting role as Miss Brant.

spider-man 2002 movie poster

2 Comments

  1. I was never a fan of Dunst in that role. But I wasn’t too thrilled about Toby Mc. either as Spider Man.

  2. Well, it isn’t always age but looks and the projection of maturity. Elizabeth Banks looks older than Tobey, who has always looked boyish.

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