Julia Stiles as the Black Cat? The web's been abuzz of late with news that the actress, who most recently starred in The Bourne Ultimatum, met with a casting company about the upcoming Spider-Man 4, according to UGO.

It should be noted, however, that just about every actress on the planet has been reported as auditioning for the part, including Rachel McAdams and Romola Garai.

Moreover, Deadline Hollywood is reporting today that Anne Hathaway has been approached to star in the fourth installment. She is purportedly wanted for a starring role, but not to replace Kirsten Dunst.

Last week, McAdams debunked the rumor she met with producers over the role of Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, occasional nemesis and love interest of Spider-Man/Peter Parker. Garai, meanwhile, admitted to being among hundreds of actresses who had attended open auditions, but said she was not going to be cast in Spider-Man 4.

To date, no one attached to the production has confirmed whether the Black Cat will even appear in the film, or who the villains might be. But if the character is in, this writer wouldn’t mind seeing the part go to a lower-profile star — the way Alfred Molina was cast as Dr. Octopus in Spider-Man 2 — so long as Stiles or whoever bats it out of the park.