Could Zendaya's "lead role" in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming be for a more familiar character than previously thought?

Though it was reported that the actress would play a character named Michelle in the forthcoming film — news that seemed to be confirmed by director Jon Watts himself during an interview at San Diego Comic Con in July — rumor now has it that the "Replay" singer was actually low-key cast as Mary Jane Watson.

On Thursday, The Wrap alleged that Zendaya may be playing Spider-Man/Peter Parker's long-time love interest, the superhero's traditionally red-headed girlfriend famously portrayed onscreen by Kirsten Dunst in Sam Raimi's 2002, 2004 and 2007 Spider-Man trilogy. The web-site claimed that "at least one recent draft of the script has Zendaya's chatacter dropping several clues to her identity as Mary Jane" and cited "two individuals with knowledge of the project" for their exclusive scoop.

Zendaya's casting in the Marvel-Sony superhero reboot was first announced back in March, when Deadline reported that the actress would play a "key role" in the high school-centered film. The actress will star opposite British actor Tom Holland, who will play Spider-Man/Peter Parker and who made a big-screen cameo in Captain America: Civil War this year.

For now, the rumor that the Disney Channel star may have been secretly cast as M.J. remains unconfirmed by either Sony or Marvel.

Spider-Man: Homecoming swings into theaters July 7, 2017.

Do You Know the Spider-Man film history inside and out? Test Your Knowledge:

Pop Stars and the Superheroes They Remind Us Of:

More From KISS 104.1