Kate Hudson has shared that she once had the opportunity to play Mary Jane Watson in Sony’s 2002 superhero blockbuster Spider-Man, a role that ultimately made Kirsten Dunst a household name. The actor revealed that she turned down the offer, choosing a very different project instead.
Speaking on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Hudson confirmed that she declined the part, even though the idea of being part of the Spider-Man universe still crosses her mind occasionally. Looking back, she admitted that joining such a massive franchise would have been exciting, but she has no regrets about how things unfolded.
At the time, Hudson opted to star in The Four Feathers, a war drama released later the same year. While the film didn’t enjoy the same commercial success as Spider-Man, it proved personally meaningful for her. Hudson said the project introduced her to Heath Ledger, with whom she formed a close friendship, and gave her experiences she believes wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
Reflecting on the choice, Hudson said she believes life unfolds the way it’s meant to. While she occasionally wonders what it might have been like to portray Mary Jane, she remains grateful for the path she took and the relationships that came with it.
Spider-Man went on to become a global phenomenon, earning over $800 million worldwide and launching a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, with Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. Maguire later reprised the role in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, while Dunst has not returned to the franchise since Spider-Man 3 in 2007.
Hudson also noted that revisiting such “what if” moments can feel uncomfortable, adding that the actors who ended up in the film were ultimately the right choices. She stressed that circumstances align the way they’re supposed to, even if they spark a bit of curiosity years later.
During the same conversation, Hudson revealed that she has also turned down film offers that would have seen her share the screen with her mother, Goldie Hawn. According to the actor, any such project would need to be truly special. “It has to be really funny,” she said, adding that while they’ve considered the idea, the right script simply hasn’t come along yet.