Lost in all the bits about the possibilities of Sally Field and Martin Sheen being cast as Aunt May and Uncle Ben in Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot was this little nugget of rumor/information from The Wrap:

Meanwhile, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap that Mary Jane Watson will not appear in the film after all, as the character is not currently featured in James Vanderbilt’s screenplay, and apparently never was.

Back in September, Deal Central reported that Mary Jane would appear in the new “Spider-Man,” as the script featured two love interests competing for the affections Peter Parker. However, that wasn’t quite true.

Evidently, there had been some discussions about Emma Stone playing red-haired MJ, but once she was cast as Gwen Stacy, the filmmakers decided to trust their instincts and stick with one love interest.

Personally, I would love for them to just stick to the Gwen Stacy/Peter Parker romance for this first film. I’m not sure if they have plans to kill her off in future movies, but I always thought her death was just as big of an impact in forming Peter’s life as Uncle Ben’s. To build this up appropriately, I would really like to see them spend a whole movie and a half or so building up their relationship before even introducing Mary Jane. No matter their plans with her, I’m glad we finally have a film focusing on a different love interest for Peter and I hope they do the character justice with Emma Stone.

Heat Vision Blog is reporting on the heels of the announcement that Martin Sheen is in final negotiations to portray Uncle Ben in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot, that Sally Field is in “early talks” to play Aunt May.

I know Swank-mo-tron and some of the other bots here are concerned this is going to be yet another origin story rehash and that we are going to have to once again “learn” how Peter Parker became Spider-Man. I’m hoping that the origin story will perhaps be shown in bits and pieces throughout the movie in the form of flash-backs, instead of just a straight retelling of the well-known story – but, who knows what Marc Webb has up his sleeves. I like the idea of a little bit “younger” Aunt May, and there’s little argument that Sally Field is a fine actress, so if this comes through I don’t expect to hear too much disappointment. Though, for some reason I have thought for a while now that Helen Mirren would make a good Aunt May . . .

Marc Webb’s Spider-Man film is set to start filming next month.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Martin Sheen is in final negotiations to play Uncle Ben in the new Marc Webb Spider-Man picture.

Sheen will join a cast that includes Andrew Garfield as Parker, Emma Stone as love interest Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as the movie’s unnamed villain.

The movie, under the direction of Marc Webb, is heading for a December start.

Half of this is terribly exciting for me, the other half is incredibly boring.

On the one hand: Martin Sheen is a tremendous actor and will add a gravitas to this film that would rival the weight Cliff Robertson brought in the Sam Raimi films.  His work has been consistently good and roles like Captain Queenan in The Departed make me completely sure he can pull this off.  Remember that scene in The Departed where he brings Leonardo DiCaprio into his kitchen and was all like, “Let’s get you supper.”?  There was a paternal warmth in that scene that was fantastic and will be great for Uncle Ben.

On the other hand: apparently we’re effing idiots and need another Spider-Man origin story, as though anyone in the galaxy doesn’t know how Peter got his powers and came to learn that with great power comes great responsibility.

Really?  Another one?

The Spider-Man movies were some of the highest grossing films of all time.  Why the hell do we need to see his origin again?  There’s nothing Marc Webb can add to it that would make me care anymore about the character.

On the third hand: Perhaps Webb will use Uncle Ben much the same way Raimi used him in Spider-Man 2.

We won’t know until we see it.

What do you guys think.  You think we need another origin story?  If you do, what do you think of Sheen in the role?