Mary Jane cut from The Amazing Spider-Man 2

There have been growing concerns about the number of new characters in Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Now comes news that one has been cut from the film entirely: Mary Jane.

Actress Shailene Woodley revealed to Entertainment Weekly that her three scenes had been excised from the upcoming sequel.

Good news for Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy, who no longer has to compete with her for the affections of Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker.

Mary Jane will instead be introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man 3. According to THR, the part is likely to be recast.

There were rumours that Sarah Gadon had scored the role, but the actress denied it on Twitter.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 hits cinemas May 2014. Number 3 follows in 2016, and the fourth instalment arrives in 2018.