The actress who starred in Almost Famous and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days recently confirmed a long-standing rumor. Kate Hudson was offered the part of Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi’s 2002 superhero film Spider-Man, but she chose to make a different movie instead. She shared the story and her perspective on that choice during a talk show appearance.
The role of Peter Parker’s beloved went to Kirsten Dunst, who became a defining part of the original Spider-Man trilogy. More than two decades later, Hudson explained her decision, revealing that it led her to a meaningful friendship with a fellow actor.
The confirmation came during the December 22 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Cohen read a question from a viewer asking if it was true she had turned down the role and if she regretted it.
โYes, I did,โ Hudson said in response. โNow that I look back, itโs one of those things where I look back like, โThat would have been nice to be in a Spider-Man movie.โ But at the same time, I did a movie called Four Feathers. I got to meet Heath Ledger who became a very good friend and I got an experience that I would have never had.โ
She described her outlook on the path her career took. โA part of me is like, โLife happens exactly the way itโs supposed to,’โ Hudson said. โAnd so, Iโm grateful for it. But I do look at it and Iโm like, โAw, it would have been fun to be [Mary Jane].โโ
Cohen noted that accepting the role would have meant starring in multiple films, not just one. To this, Hudson smiled and replied, โI know, I know.โ
Instead of joining the superhero blockbuster, Hudson filmed the 2002 war drama The Four Feathers. The movie is a historical story about a British officer, played by Heath Ledger, who resigns his commission and is branded a coward by his friends and fiancรฉe, a role played by Hudson.
The film was released a few months after Spider-Man and did not find the same level of success. It earned about $29 million at the box office against a $35 million budget and received mixed reviews from critics. In contrast, Spider-Man was a massive hit, grossing over $800 million worldwide and launching a successful trilogy.
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For Hudson, however, the value of the project was personal. She has consistently stated that the experience gave her a priceless friendship with her co-star, the late Heath Ledger.
Hudson was careful to express respect for the actors who ultimately took part in Spider-Man. She acknowledged that discussing her near-miss with the role is somewhat uncomfortable because the final casting felt correct.
โIt doesnโt feel good to talk about it โcause the people who are in the movie are the right people and your circumstances in life happen the way they happen,โ she said.
She did not frame her choice as a rejection of superhero films or a career miscalculation. Instead, she presented it as a personal decision based on the opportunities in front of her at that specific time. Her comments reflect a view that career and life paths are not just about singular opportunities but the connections and experiences they bring.
The role of Mary Jane Watson went to Kirsten Dunst, who was cast about a month before filming began on the 2002 movie. Alongside Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, Dunst’s portrayal became iconic, highlighted by the film’s famous upside-down rain kiss.
Dunst played the character across all three films in Sam Raimi’s original trilogy, which concluded with Spider-Man 3 in 2007. While Maguire returned as his version of Spider-Man in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dunst did not reprise her role. In other interviews, Dunst has mentioned she was not asked to return for that film but has expressed openness to revisiting the character in a future story with Maguire.
The character of MJ has since been reinterpreted for new generations. Zendaya plays Michelle “MJ” Jones, a character inspired by Mary Jane, in the Tom Holland-led MCU Spider-Man films. The character has also appeared in animated form in the Spider-Verse films.
During the same talk show appearance, Hudson revealed that the Spider-Man offer is not the only major role she has passed on. She and her mother, actor Goldie Hawn, have both received scripts over the years for projects that would feature them together but have yet to find the right one.
โItโs gotta be really funny,โ Hudson said about a potential project with her mother. โItโs gotta hit in a different way. We think about it, itโs just we havenโt read it yet. We havenโt figured that one out.โ
Hudson continues to act in films and television. Her recent work includes the Netflix series Running Point and the musical film Song Sung Blue, where she stars alongside Hugh Jackman. For her performance in Song Sung Blue, Hudson earned a 2026 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
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