Homecoming The Mary-Jane Casting Poll - Part 3

[PeterBenParker]

MJ is way more popular than Black Cat. It's like comparing Lois Lane to Lana Lang and that's after Lana was part of a popular TV show for 8 years. It just doesn't compare no matter what.

I'll agree that MJ is the stand-out in Peter's love life, but Black Cat is a very prominent figure as she's right up there along with Gwen and MJ, so again, anyone being fine with her having a different look than her original counterpart but taking issue with MJ? Eh. Just don't get that as her look can be considered 'iconic' too.

To each their own, I guess.

 

[Dm2048]

I honestly think Zendaya is MJ. From seeing her from interviews and her music videos she seems like she can capture the essence of Mary Jane. If she isn't MJ I'll be kinda surprised tbh.

 

[KalvinEllis]

I'll agree that MJ is the stand-out in Peter's love life, but Black Cat is a very prominent figure as she's right up there along with Gwen and MJ, so again, anyone being fine with her having a different look than her original counterpart but taking issue with MJ? Eh. Just don't get that as her look can be considered 'iconic' too.

To each their own, I guess.

I was talking about the public awareness for MJ. She is a character everyone knows about, comic fans, non-comic fans, kids, adults, men, women, pretty much any person walking this earth who knows about Spider-Man is aware of who his primary love interest is and how she looks like. Felicia is not nearly as recognizable by the "general audience", despite that she is a popular character.

Again, it's not the end of the world for me if they change the ethnicity of Spidey's main squeeze, I just think there's no need to. Doesn't mean I'm going to grab my pitchfork if Zendaya or Laura Harrier is MJ. These fan protests are ridiculous and never lead to anything except giving more reasons for people to look down on fans and think they are some deranged basement dwellers, because their behavior perpetuates that stereotype. Weren't people complaining that Woodley "wasn't hot enough"? WTF. So no, I'm not going to throw a hissy fit if Mary Jane is black in Homecoming.

 

[harryoscop]

Yeah, remember that fan outrage over Woodley. "Plain Jane" It'll probably go over better this time 'cause Marvel.

 

[Chris B]

In regards to who Zendaya is playing, the one problem I have with "Michelle" being a cover for Mary Jane is that it has never been Marvel's MO when it comes to casting news. They've always either revealed who an actor is playing upfront or simply wait until later to reveal it. I'm not ruling it out, but I don't really see any reason at the moment to think that Zendaya is playing MJ or any other significant character from the comics.

 

[harryoscop]

Well, to be fair, the last four/five Marvel casting announcements haven't clarified who the actor is playing either. GOTG, Thor Ragnarock and BP have all announced actors but haven't specified their character, just the description of their roles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEPSQvnC75o/

"Manuel Nguyen" is a Vietnamese name (Tony isn't Vietnamese) multiple actors of different ethnicities were going in for that role which kinda confirms it's a code name. Same thing applies to "Michelle"

 

[Chris B]

Well, to be fair, the last four/five Marvel casting announcements haven't clarified who the actor is playing either. GOTG, Thor Ragnarock and BP have all announced actors but haven't specified their character, just the description of their roles.

I think that kind of proves my point. Marvel simply opted not to reveal who those actors are playing instead of throwing around codenames.

 

[BatsDC]

They've been known to use fake names for auditions and such.

 

[harryoscop]

I think that kind of proves my point. Marvel simply opted not to reveal who those actors are playing instead of throwing around codenames.

See edited post

 

[KalvinEllis]

Yeah, remember that fan outrage over Woodley. "Plain Jane"

Oh yeah, that has to be one of comic fans' lowest points imo. I remember there was even an article on some of the big sites titled "The embarrassing Spider-Man fans". Still not as bad as what Batman fans did to Ben Affleck or Star Wars fans to John Boyega, but still, if there's something that makes you embarrassed to be a fan, it's nonsense like that. You'd think people have learned.

 

[Chris B]

They've been known to use fake names for auditions and such.

Perhaps, but I can't recall an instance regarding Marvel in the past where a fake codename used for an audition was reported to be the actual character's identity. I don't see any reason why they would start using codenames to hide their casting now.

]"Manuel Nguyen" is a Vietnamese name (Tony isn't Vietnamese) multiple actors of different ethnicities were going in for that role which kinda confirms it's a code name. Same thing applies to "Michelle"

I'm not sure. Revolori could easily pass as South Asian (I know that he's Guatemalan). Plus, I'm not sure why they'd use an Asian name, even as a codename for an audition, for a character that could come from any ethnic group.

 

[harryoscop]

Perhaps, but I can't recall an instance regarding Marvel in the past where a fake codename used for an audition was reported to be the actual character's identity. I don't see any reason why they would start using codenames to hide their casting now.



I'm not sure. Revolori could easily pass as South Asian (I know that he's Guatemalan). Plus, I'm not sure why they'd use an Asian name, even as a codename for an audition, for a character that could come from any ethnic group.

Because it's probably a nod to the super obscure Manuel character from the comics. Same for Michelle who was just introduced in the comics.

 

[Chris B]

Because it's probably a nod to the super obscure Manuel character from the comics. Same for Michelle who was just introduced in the comics.

That makes me think that these are codenames even less. Especially since it wouldn't be the first time that Marvel has plucked obscure characters from the comics and given them significant roles in the MCU.

 

[BatsDC]

I like the idea of Peter having an intellectual rival so I hope Manuel isn't a fake name and that so who he's playing; or at least he maintains that role

 

[harryoscop]

That makes me think that these are codenames even less. Especially since it wouldn't be the first time that Marvel has plucked obscure characters from the comics and given them significant roles in the MCU.

Like who? Ant-Man/GOTG movies? Because the nature of those comics were slightly obscure, particularly GOTG -- nobody outside of the comic community knew about them as is. And why would they choose to adapt [super] obscure one-note characters (like Manuel) into main characters instead of Spidey's usual, recurring supporting cast? That in itself doesn't really make sense. Manuel has been described as a rival/friend to Peter so that would make him an "in name only" character, & why would a character like Michelle become important in future installments? She was one-note in the comics (plus very recently introduced) so what role would makr her important in the future?

 

[Chris B]

Like who? Ant-Man/GOTG movies? Because the nature of those comics were slightly obscure, particularly GOTG -- nobody outside of the comic community knew about them as is. And why would they choose to adapt [super] obscure one-note characters (like Manuel) into main characters instead of Spidey's usual, recurring supporting cast? That in itself doesn't really make sense. Manuel has been described as a rival/friend to Peter so that would make him an "in name only" character, & why would a character like Michelle become important in future installments? She was one-note in the comics (plus very recently introduced) so what role would makr her important in the future?

Minor characters like Aldrich Killian and Alexander Pierce were made the main villains in IM3 and TWS respectively. Also in the case of IM3 they had obscure characters from the comics like Eric Savin, Ellen Brandt, and Taggart play significant roles.

I can't tell you why they would choose to use such obscure characters if that is indeed the case here, but it isn't unheard of for Marvel to take the approach.

 

[Kurenai]

Well, that Michelle character is definitely not Michelle Gonzales, Zendaya would never go for the part if she knew the character was latina, and since we know Amandla Stenberg was also in the running, she wouldn't either. They're very vocal about diversity so why would they take away another minorities chance at being represented. They would get massacred by their own "sjw" fans.

Now I can see someone who acts well, looks the part, has a bubbly personality and is even shorter than tom...

:P
Ah, nevermind. As much as I like her, I accepted that it won't be happening.

Too bad she's filming something right now.

Cool. Who do you think we'll get next? Villain? Bugle Staff? High School Classmates?

Is the Bugle even gonna be a thing in this universe? Do you think they would throw away that part of Peter's history, and have him do odd jobs for Tony.

At the very least, I don't think the Bugle staff is involved in the first movie tbh.

 

[Rodrigo90]

Zendaya is Michelle Jackson aka MJ

 

[Poppy]

Too bad she's filming something right now.

I know but she'll be free in June

 

[Spider-Gnome]

There's nothing with plastic surgery, the only thing that matters is her acting, and it sucks.


Now I can see someone who acts well, looks the part, has a bubbly personality and is even shorter than tom...

:P
Ah, nevermind. As much as I like her, I accepted that it won't be happening.

Is this that Stefanie Scott that you guys mention? She seems to fit the bill the most. But to be honest, I don't know what her acting is like.

 

[PeterBenParker]

I was talking about the public awareness for MJ. She is a character everyone knows about, comic fans, non-comic fans, kids, adults, men, women, pretty much any person walking this earth who knows about Spider-Man is aware of who his primary love interest is and how she looks like. Felicia is not nearly as recognizable by the "general audience", despite that she is a popular character.

Ah, got'cha now.

Again, it's not the end of the world for me if they change the ethnicity of Spidey's main squeeze, I just think there's no need to. Doesn't mean I'm going to grab my pitchfork if Zendaya or Laura Harrier is MJ. These fan protests are ridiculous and never lead to anything except giving more reasons for people to look down on fans and think they are some deranged basement dwellers, because their behavior perpetuates that stereotype. Weren't people complaining that Woodley "wasn't hot enough"? WTF. So no, I'm not going to throw a hissy fit if Mary Jane is black in Homecoming.

Fair enough!

 

[PeterBenParker]

Well, that Michelle character is definitely not Michelle Gonzales, Zendaya would never go for the part if she knew the character was latina, and since we know Amandla Stenberg was also in the running, she wouldn't either. They're very vocal about diversity so why would they take away another minorities chance at being represented. They would get massacred by their own "sjw" fans.

That's a first. Any source you can provide?

 

[harryoscop]

That's a first. Any source you can provide?

From Borys Kit (THR)

 

[PeterBenParker]

From Borys Kit (THR)

Oh wow. Appreciate it!

 

[Poppy]

Oh I just saw that tweet : "Fun fact: @amandlastenberg was a finalist for the role that ultimately went to @Zendaya in the new SPIDER-MAN movie. Producers loved her."

omg the comment on that tweet "not enough twitter followers I guess"