Spoiler Alert: Kirsten Dunst Is 'Written Out Of Spider-man Franchise'

Kirsten Dunst will be written out of the Spider-man movie series after the next installment and replaced as the franchise's leading lady by Anne Hathaway - according to U.S. reports.

The actress has played Mary-Jane - Spider-Man/Peter Parker's red-headed love interest - in three movies to date, and has signed to reprise her role in Spider-Man 4, which is scheduled to begin shooting next year.

But insiders tell Star magazine Dunst's character will be written out in the next movie.

A source says, "The plan is for her character to be written out, probably by dying.

"Anne will take over as Peter Parker's new love interest for this project and for Spider-Man 5 and 6 which are being written now.

"Anne's in L.A. doing a lot of meetings on the movie, because filming is right around the corner."

Spidey Spins a 2011 Release Date

Spider-Man will swing back into theaters on May 6, 2011.

Columbia Pictures confirmed that the fourth installment in the comicbook franchise, based on the popular Marvel character, will unspool in both traditional and Imax theaters on the date, making it the first summer tentpole that year.

Sony had been eying the spot on the calendar for months. The May date had previously been occupied by another superhero pic, Marvel Studios' planned launch of "The First Avenger: Captain America," before it moved to July 22, 2011.

Marvel will also launch "Thor" that summer, on June 17.

The fourth installment of Spider-Man reunites helmer Sam Raimi with franchise stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Gary Ross is penning the script.

The previous installments have generated more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box office.

The last two pics were also released in Imax theaters, and by the time the next one bows, Imax and Sony should benefit as there will be more of the large-format theaters in the marketplace.

"Our network has grown significantly, and we continue to roll out new theaters virtually every week, giving more moviegoers the opportunity to experience the movie in Imax," said Imax CEO Richard L. Gelfond.