This is one story we’re stamping with the biggest, over-inked “Rumour” stamp we can find, because it comes from an unproven source. But word has it that Marc Webb is looking to recruit one of his (500) Days of Summer stars to take a role in the **Spider-Man reboot: Zooey Deschanel.
The fact that Deschanel has worked with Webb before is really the only reason we’d even consider giving this screen-space. But according to Showbiz Spy, he’s thinking she’d be right for Betty Brandt, AKA J Jonah Jameson’s secretary, who has a flirty relationship with Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield in this version).
“Betty was a minor character in the previous Spidey movies but Marc has big plans for her,” reveals a movie insider. “He wants a strong performer to carry the role and Zooey fits the bill perfectly. The role is hers if she wants it.” Yes, they quote a “movie insider,” that bastion of totally truthful knowledge along the lines of the “close friend” and the “source close to the production”.
While we’re not sure that Deschanel would spark to what has usually been little more than a cameo (oh… Elizabeth Banks) in the films, the new info – assuming it pans out - suggests that Brandt might be playing more of a part this time around. Would Deschanel be your choice? Or do you just want them to bring Banks back?