Kirsten Dunst, best known to millions as Mary Jane Watson in the early 2000s Spider-Man films, is opening up about an uncomfortable experience from her time on the blockbuster set—an experience she regrets not speaking out against. In a recent candid interview with Marie Claire, the award-winning actress reflected on the subtle sexism she faced during those high-profile productions and how she wishes she had used her voice more at the time.

During the interview, Dunst recounted a recurring moment on set where crew members would jokingly refer to her as a “girly-girl” over the walkie-talkie. “It was a joke, but occasionally on Spider-Man, they would refer to me as a ‘girly-girl,’” she said. “‘We need the girly-girl,’ they’d say over the radio.” While the term may have seemed harmless to some, Dunst admitted that it bothered her—but she didn’t speak up.

“I stayed quiet. I didn’t say, ‘Don’t call me that, please,’” she shared. “At the time, speaking out against something like that just wasn’t done. You stayed silent. You just took it.”

Dunst’s reflections speak to a broader culture in early-2000s Hollywood, where actresses often felt compelled to stay silent in the face of inappropriate comments or behavior for fear of being labeled “difficult.” In many ways, Dunst’s story mirrors those of other women in the industry who now feel more empowered to speak about their past experiences.

Beyond her time on Spider-Man, Dunst revealed that her awareness of how she was being perceived by powerful men in the industry began early in her career. She recalled confiding in her manager as a young actress, saying she sometimes felt her casting choices were influenced by how attractive people found her. “I told my manager that I thought I was getting hired because people wanted to sleep with me,” Dunst admitted.

That realization led her to take control of her career path in a way that felt more authentic. Rather than chasing superstardom or blockbuster roles, she made a conscious choice to seek out meaningful projects—often ones led by female directors. “It made me gravitate toward working with more women early on,” she said, adding that it felt safer and more creatively fulfilling to collaborate with female filmmakers.

Dunst’s approach to fame and career choices has always been intentional. Despite the massive success of the Spider-Man franchise, which launched her into international stardom, she didn’t use that momentum to become a “movie-star-movie-star,” as she put it. Instead, she trusted her instincts and sought roles that challenged her artistically, even if they weren’t as commercially lucrative.

That’s not to say she’s entirely closed off to returning to blockbuster territory. With honesty, she acknowledged that financial pressures could play a role in her decision-making moving forward. “If I needed the money, I would consider doing another big superhero movie,” she admitted. But it would have to be the right role, at the right time, with the right people.

Now, with her latest film Civil War, a political thriller set to release in theaters on April 26, Dunst is once again stepping into a thought-provoking and socially relevant project. The film marks another significant moment in her career—one where she continues to prioritize storytelling that has something to say.

By speaking openly about her regrets and past experiences, Kirsten Dunst hopes to encourage a broader cultural shift in Hollywood. She wants younger actors to feel empowered to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, and to challenge outdated norms that have persisted in the entertainment industry for far too long.

“It’s important to talk about it,” Dunst emphasized. “I want others to know they don’t have to stay silent the way I did.”

Her willingness to reflect publicly on uncomfortable moments from her past adds to the ongoing conversation about accountability, respect, and creating safer environments for artists. In sharing her truth, Dunst is not only helping to change the industry for the next generation of performers—she’s also redefining what it means to be a star with integrity.

As Civil War approaches its release, fans are reminded once again that Dunst is far more than just a former superhero love interest. She’s a seasoned actress with real-life experiences to share, a sharp voice in the industry, and an advocate for change—on screen and off.

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