Director Mark Webb says that he cut the Mary Jane Watson plotline from the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man sequel to keep the focus on Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy’s storyline.

News that MJ had been cut from the film last month generated headlines and led to actress Shailene Woodley leaving the role.

Webb says that MJ’s role in the upcoming film was a minor one and intended to serve as a “tease” for things to come in future installments.

“It was a very minor inflection, and I felt it was important to really focus on Peter and Gwen’s storyline,” Webb tells Crave Online. He went on to add that he would love to have Woodley back as Mary Jane in the third installment.

Woodley could still appear if the actress is available when production begins on Amazing Spider-Man 3.