Let’s be real—no Marvel role sets the fan-casting machine in overdrive quite like Gwen Stacy. Since Spider-Man: No Way Home swung open the multiverse, social media has been overrun with dream casts, heated arguments, and the occasional meme war over who should don the Gwen mantle.
Between wishlists, rumor mills, and some eyebrow-raising casting news, the buzz is palpable. Here’s a rundown of the eight actresses who are currently taking up the Gwen Stacy discussion—along with one surprise name that’s left fans in a tizzy.
8. Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning has been a household face since childhood, but her more recent work on The Great and The Girl from Plainville has solidified her as a serious player. She possesses a combination of warmth, wit, and emotional heft—qualities that would serve to create a rich, interesting Gwen. With a Golden Globe nod to her credit, she’s got both the talent and the star power to slide into the role without effort.
7. Kiernan Shipka
From Mad Men to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Kiernan Shipka has been in the game nearly her whole life. She’s proven she can handle everything from grounded drama to supernatural chaos. Fans love her blend of quirky charm and dramatic intensity—exactly the mix you’d want for a Gwen who’s more than just Peter Parker’s love interest.
6. Chloë Grace Moretz
Already an action-comic movie veteran with Kick-Ass, Chloë Grace Moretz is familiar with high-octane action and nuance in a character. She has the range to execute a classic Gwen or a more contemporary Spider-Gwen interpretation, and she’s also not new to the physicality of a superheroine. She comes to mind naturally in consideration.
5. Jenna Ortega
It’s difficult to imagine anyone having a bigger pop culture moment currently than Jenna Ortega. From standout turns in Wednesday, Scream, and You, she’s made it clear that she can carry a franchise. She possesses the charm, intensity, and age demographic to resonate with Tom Holland’s Peter—along with the ability to bring both the zingy wit and emotional depth the character requires.
4. Anya Taylor-Joy
When Anya Taylor-Joy appears on screen, you can’t help but stare. From The Queen’s Gambit to Emma to Peaky Blinders, she’s demonstrated a chameleon-like quality to disappear into her characters. She’s already attached to a massive future Marvel movie (Furiosa), and publications such as Forbes have thrown around her name as a top Gwen candidate. With her celebrity and charm, she might be able to take Gwen straight into the MCU’s top-tier characters.
3. Sophie Turner
Sophie Turner has Marvel credentials through her portrayal of Jean Grey, and she isn’t unfamiliar with fandom behemoths after her extended stint as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones. She possesses that timeless Gwen look and the ability to provide both vulnerability and steel for the role. Turner also knows what it takes to manage the demands of a massive franchise—something that Marvel would appreciate.
2. Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch has been making headlines with acerbic, witty, and endearing performances in titles such as Not Okay and Vampire Academy. She has the young energy and comedic aptitude that can make Gwen both likable and memorable, and still deliver the more dramatic emotional punches. She also belongs organically to the college-age Peter Parker universe that Marvel appears to be moving toward.
1. Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney sits atop almost every fan list at the moment. With Emmy-nominated performances in Euphoria and scene-stealing appearances in The White Lotus and Reality, she has a talent for making heightened drama read real. Her huge following and presence on screen are why she is such an obvious front-runner—if Marvel needs a Gwen who can keep up with Spidey, she’s a tough sell to beat.
The Sadie Sink Wild Card
And then, of course, there’s the curveball. When Sadie Sink, star of Stranger Things, was revealed to be joining Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Tom Holland, rumors went wild. Is she possibly the MCU’s Gwen? Or is she going to play someone else entirely—perhaps Jean Grey, Firestar, or Black Cat? Marvel is mum, but with Zendaya’s MJ possibly taking a step back, Sink’s casting has only fueled the argument.
Why This Casting Battle Is Different
Fan casting has transitioned from lighthearted forum entertainment to a full-fledged social media game. Casting suggestions now trend, are analyzed, and—to the occasional shock of everyone involved—get actors hired (ask Simu Liu). With Gwen Stacy, the stakes are even higher, and each name that gets bounced into consideration is part of the larger game of tug-of-war between fan visions and Marvel’s real intentions.