Homecoming The Mary-Jane Casting Poll - Part 3

[Angryfantasyfan]

2 mostly cast because of fame and ethnicity

We know she was one of a number of actresses testing for the role. What evidence do you have to support such a claim?

 

[BatsDC]

None

 

[Web-Head]

 

[Dark Raven]

Who is that? She looks a bit odd.

 

[Web-Head]

Who is that? She looks a bit odd.

I think you mean *hot* it's Katherine McNamara though.

 

[marijuanawatson]

Why is it okay for Black Cat and not for Mary Jane?

From Kirsten Dunst and Emma Stone to Gwyneth Paltrow and Natalie Portman, fame is almost always part of the equation for the primary romantic foils. It's just the nature of the beast with these big blockbusters.

As far as acting chops...I'm assuming that she auditioned for her "mysterious" role alongside other actresses (wasn't Amandla a contender?) and did a test with Holland...so hopefully her acting chops are up to par for whatever role she's playing.

Maybe they are looking to diversify Spider-Man's supporting cast? At the end day, I don't really care as long as they manage to capture the character's essence. For me, race is not part of that equation.

1. Why is it okay for Black Cat and not for Mary Jane?
?? Having a black Felicia Hardy would be so disappointing to me because
A. really a Black Cat who's black, shocking and so new! It's like the Yellow Ranger being Asian and the Black Ranger being black. Especially with Felicia's crimmal background and with a father in jail. C'mon now.

2. fame is almost always part of the equation for the primary romantic foils. It's just the nature of the beast with these big blockbusters.
I feel you I really do but so far the casting has been relatively unknown young actors and that shouldn't suddenly change when it comes to the love interest or be a big factor really because it comes down to talent/the best choice.

 

[sl500jazz]

?? Having a black Felicia Hardy would be so disappointing to me because
A. really a Black Cat who's black, shocking and so new! It's like the Yellow Ranger being Asian and the Black Ranger being black. Especially with Felicia's crimmal background and with a father in jail. C'mon now. .

Misread your initial post

I feel you I really do but so far the casting has been relatively unknown young actors and that shouldn't suddenly change when it comes to the love interest or be a big factor really because it comes down to talent/the best choice.

To be fair, we don't know how much pull her fame had...if any. Maybe it gave her a foot in the door, but again it's all (cynical) speculation. What we do know is that (like Holland) she had to compete for the role, which suggests she was the best choice from their pool of candidates.

 

[Dark Raven]

I think you mean *hot* it's Katherine McNamara though.

No. I meant odd. Her lips look like fish lips in that photo and she looks kinda fake. At least pick a better photo of her.

 

[marijuanawatson]

Jesus dude, get a grip. She beat out others in an audition process, so clearly she can act, and that last statement is so ridiculously petty and false that it's not even worth responding to.

Sigh. Here we go. I'll just say this.

I wasn't saying I would never want an actress of color playing MJ or that I don't want Zendaya playing the character because she's black. Or that I'm a crazy fan who's gonna riot, petition and not see the movie because MJ happens to be black. The reason I have a problem with her possible casting is because based on the fact that all we've seen of Z's acting is from Disney, it's safe to say she has little to no acting skills or very boxed in ones. So, I'm worried about that and that causes me to scratch my head on why Marvel/Sony possibly casted her. That's why I (and many others) discuss the ethnicity and fame thing. It is very possible that Marvel/Sony went looking specifically for actresses of color for this role. Why? We all know Marvel get's heat for lack of diversity and it is starting to become a trend of casting black actors as white characters.

I'll repeat. My problem with this supposed 'casting' is with the whole "for the sake of diversity" thing. Please just don't turn MJ black for slaps on the back and cookies. I call it the movie/tv diversity stamp. How about you give us well-rounded, new original characters of color or adapt ones already in the comics. Not, "Hey, hurry up we need a diverse cast quick!" "And get us a hot girl with a large fanbase, too!" "That'll get us big bucks!"

This is how it feels to me and this is my opinion. But, I could be wrong. We all could. This is all just rumors and speculation!

At the end of the day, I just hope that MJ is finally treated well and that Zendaya was cast because of talent and ability to portray the character well. I won't be mad if MJ turns out to be amazing and portrayed properly!

 

[Web-Head]

No. I meant odd. Her lips look like fish lips in that photo and she looks kinda fake. At least pick a better photo of her.

It was a recent photo. It's because her tongue is slightly sticking out

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

You'll never really know if it was "for diversity" so just give a rest and get over it. They didn't fold under the Miles Morales pressure so I doubt marvel would ever cast her if she wasn't the best choice. Marvel can do whatever they want with their characters and, as they've constantly shown, they know best.

 

[marijuanawatson]

You'll never really know if it was "for diversity" so just give a rest and get over it. They didn't fold under the Miles Morales pressure so I doubt marvel would ever cast her if she wasn't the best choice. Marvel can do whatever they want with their characters and, as they've constantly shown, they know best.

No need to be rude honey, we're all just sharing opinions it'll be alright.

Remember though, Kevin Feige isn't a god and Marvel Studios is still a Hollywood movie studio that's owned by Disney We all make mistakes.

If they did cast because of diversity, well that's just sad and annoying.

 

[Tilapia]

At the end of the day, I just hope that MJ is finally treated well and that Zendaya was cast because of talent and ability to portray the character well. I won't be mad if MJ turns out to be amazing and portrayed properly!

If audiences warm up to whomever Zendaya is playing and she garners additional popularity, there won't be an MJ in this trilogy. No doubt in my mind. It's looking like Zendaya's character will be a pivotal part in Parker's early years. Whether they kill her off or make her the main love interest remains to be seen, but if it's the latter and she doesn't die in the sequel, then its safe to say MJ probably won't have any significant role in Spiderman's first MCU trilogy.

I'm thinking the sequel won't hit until late 2019 or 2020 and will pick up with them in freshman year. Maybe MJ won't come until junior or senior year in college, so maybe movie three if you're lucky, with Zendaya's character dying or breaking up with Peter (or becoming a heroine and starring in a spinoff, who knows?)

 

[Neno_Kos]

You'll never really know if it was "for diversity" so just give a rest and get over it. They didn't fold under the Miles Morales pressure so I doubt marvel would ever cast her if she wasn't the best choice. Marvel can do whatever they want with their characters and, as they've constantly shown, they know best.

They never said they did. But they 'hinted' at it. And all reports said they are lookin for most diverse cast, not necessary most talented one. And that's enough lead for someone to form opinion. You dont see that in other movies and castings.

Like I said where is smoke there is fire. And people shouldnt judge someone for expressing his opinion formed on news they reported. He doesnt claim nothing, or gives evidence just like you dont have evidence it isnt true. People really shouldnt be that much offendable. Not everything is racism, feminsm and misogynism.

 

[PeterBenParker]

MJ is supposed to be a knock out and the prettiest girl around. I don't know how they can top Zendaya to be honest...

She's stunning, she's sassy and energetic, she's confident, she's charismatic (has a large fan base), she's got a certain amount of toughness to her (a lot of the fan castings I've seen have been too sweet or meek for MJ imo) without being an "ice queen", and apparently she has good chemistry with Holland. I could really see her as MJ.

Here's hoping!

 

[Neno_Kos]

[YT]1GmZDqGR62g[/YT]

Pete will certainly need to try to keep up with MJ at homecoming dance t:

 

[X Knight]

weird lips/expression aside, I can totally see MJ in her.

 

[PeterBenParker]

[YT]1GmZDqGR62g[/YT]

Pete will certainly need to try to keep up with MJ at homecoming dance t:

That'd be quite cool to see MJ just dance her butt off as Peter's left there floored wondering how he was so fortunate to get a girl like her for the dance.

 

[Web-Head]

weird lips/expression aside, I can totally see MJ in her.

[YT]1GmZDqGR62g[/YT]

Pete will certainly need to try to keep up with MJ at homecoming dance t:

Except Tom's a pretty good dancer in his own right.

 

[harryoscop]

Lol, she looks like a 27 year-old model here.

 

[Web-Head]

Lol, she looks like a 27 year-old model here.

I don't see it?

 

[Neno_Kos]

Except Tom's a pretty good dancer in his own right.

But I think Peter likely wont be. I dont think he will be bad dancer, but average one is more plausible

 

[Britney]

I don't think for one second Zendaya was cast because of her fame. She herself said live on Ellen that she had to do numerous auditions and screen tests because this is her first actual film or acting role outside of Disney.

They must've seen something in her for whatever role she was chosen for, I tend to believe it's a major love interest role only because she was one of the first people cast and she had multiple screen tests with Tom. I sincerely doubt Marvel Studios is finally getting Spidey and going to give him a brand new character, made up for the film love interest. I also doubt they will use Felicia or Liz as the main love interest either... it's gotta be MJ IMO.

 

[PeterBenParker]

I don't think for one second Zendaya was cast because of her fame. She herself said live on Ellen that she had to do numerous auditions and screen tests because this is her first actual film or acting role outside of Disney.

They must've seen something in her for whatever role she was chosen for, I tend to believe it's a major love interest role only because she was one of the first people cast and she had multiple screen tests with Tom. I sincerely doubt Marvel Studios is finally getting Spidey and going to give him a brand new character, made up for the film love interest. I also doubt they will use Felicia or Liz as the main love interest either... it's gotta be MJ IMO.

Agreed completely. Zendaya as MJ and Laura as Liz makes the most sense to me.

 

[harryoscop]

I don't see it?

She certainly has an older look to her, and would look out of place with Tom. She looks like she'd be three grades above him as a Senior, could even pass for a teacher. The makeup amplifies her already mature look and adds another 5 years imo.