Howard in negotiations for Gwen's role in Spider Man 3

Howard in negotiations for Gwen's role in Spider Man 3

LOS ANGELES - Bryce Dallas Howard is negotiating for the role of Gwen Stacy, Spiderman Peter Parker's high school sweetheart in the Columbia Pictures flick, "Spider Man 3." The movie, which is being directed by Sam Raimi, is slated to hit the floors this month.

Gwen Stacy is Peter Parker's high school crush and is his first love according to the Marvel Comics' releases. In the 121st issue, she is kidnapped by Spidey's nemesis Green Goblin and eventually dies after a prolonged bridge top battle. In the film version of the "Spider Man", the makers took slight liberties and changed the love interest of the web weaver to Mary Jane Watson.

Thankfully, Watson survived the bridge battle. Columbia is not releasing the details of the third movie's story, according to The Hollywood Reporter, although it is reported that Gwen Stacy plays the third character in a love triangle and survives at the end.

James Franco, Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire are retaining their previous roles, while Topher Grace and Thomas Haden Church are slated to play the villains in this venture. Laura Ziskin and Marvel Studios' Avi Arad are producing the movie and Sam Raimi is directing it. Spider Man 3 is slated for release on May 4, 2007.

The 24-year-old Bryce Howard has become a most sought after face after her riveting performance as a blind girl in Manoj Night Shyamalan's The Village. She also replaced Nicole Kidman in Manderlay and starred in Lars von Trier's USA--Land of Opportunities' trilogy. Her forthcoming flicks include Shyamalan's Lady in the Water and Kenneth Branagh's As You Like It.