Wood told the website, billed as "The Movie Reporter," that she will play Mary Jane in the eagerly awaited production, which will begin rehearsals in June 2009. When asked whether her "Across the Universe" co-star, Jim Sturgess, would star in the title role, Wood said that the creative team is "still trying to convince him."

Wood and Sturgess took part in a workshop of Spider-Man.

Lion King Tony winner Taymor will direct Spider-Man, which features a score by Bono and The Edge of U2. No casting, theatre or timetable has been announced.

As previously reported, the comic giant Marvel Entertainment will share producing credits with Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle and Martin McCallum.

Evan Rachel Wood has been seen on screen in "Running with Scissors," "The Life Before Her Eyes," "Across the Universe," "Down in the Valley," "Once and Again," "Profiler" and "American Gothic," among others.