'Spider-Man’ Looking To Add Marisa Tomei To Growing Cast After ‘Empire’ Signs Actress

Marisa Tomei is having a busy week. The actress has reportedly just signed on to star in Sony’s revamped reboot of the Spider-Man franchise. The news comes days after it was announced that Tomei will play a reoccurring part in the Fox drama “Empire.”

Variety reports insiders tipped them off to contract negotiations between the actress and the studio that took place last week. Tomei is slated for the part of Aunt May, Peter Parker’s guardian who is left widowed in the first movie. Rosemary Harris and Sally Field played the role in the last two iterations.

Tomei, 50, would be the youngest actress cast to play Aunt May in the “Spider-Man” saga. Although perhaps that’s fitting since the studio opted for the youngest Spider-Man ever cast, Tom Holland. At the age of 19, he will take on the starring role first played by Tobey Maguire and fellow Brit Andrew Garfield. “Cop Car” director Jon Watt will helm the next Spider-Man movie.

Tomei also recently announced she will join “Empire” Season 2. The Oscar winner will play Mimi Whiteman, a lesbian billionaire with an ear for hip-hop. Whiteman will not only bring the cash but also add drama to the hit Fox series. Goodness knows Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) can’t be pleased.

The actress joins an ever growing roster of “Empire” guest stars, which includes Chris Rock, Lenny Kravitz and Oprah. Although her reoccurring financial role will potentially make her a rival for Lyon family matriarch Cookie, Tomei will join “Magic Mike XXL” star Adam Rodriguez as a newcomer with an expanded storyline. We’ll have to wait and see just how long she survives “Empire” before swinging over to her potential new Marvel movie gig.

The new “Spider-Man” is set to swing into theaters in 2017. Fans can catch Tomei in “Empire” when Season 2 premieres Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.