Homecoming The Zendaya is Mary Jane thread

[X Knight]

But does her red hair *have* to be natural? The really deep red that I think of when I think of MJ could easily be achieved with hair dye and look good.

well, it may not be "natural" to the actress playing the role, but it should look natural for the character. It shouldn't look like an obvious dye job or wig, even if that's what they use to make the actress' hair red.

However, if MJ is not white, the red hair is going to look like a dye job or wig. It's not going to look as natural as if she were fair skinned.

I mean, technically, you could rewrite the character so that MS is not white and she dyes her hair red for a punk rock look or for whatever reason.

You could do that. But that just seems unnecessarily complicated to bring about change where change isn't really needed.

 

[BatsDC]

Why even explain it? You wouldn't need to. The audience can work out "cool, she dyes her hair." That doesn't need to be spoon-fed. Go with a less vibrant version of this and it'd be fine:

 

[X Knight]

^ because MJ is a character who doesn't dye her hair red. The character is supposed to be a natural redhead. The audience shouldn't have to think "Oh cool. She dyes her hair red."

An MJ who has to dye her hair red may be MJ to you and to others, but she's not MJ to me. she'd be a different character.

if they go that route, I'd rather they just have her with a different hair color ( brunette, for example ) and just leave it like that. Tobey's Peter had blue eyes, if I recall, even though the character has brown eyes. But, they didn't have Tobey's Peter wear contact lenses to specifically achieve the brown eyes he's supposed to have. They just left it at blue.

Same with MJ. If they are going to cast Zendaya for the role, then just leave her as a natural brunette. I'd rather have that than have the character specifically dye her hair to achieve the iconic MJ redhead look when they simply could have not race changed the character in the first place and cast a Caucasian actress and make the character a redhead to begin with.

And for the record, I wouldn't want a white actress playing MJ and still have that character dye her hair red.

MJ is supposed to be a natural redhead - she is not someone who dyes her hair red to achieve that look.

if you rewrite the character where she has to dye her hair to get her redhead, even if you don't need to explain it but it's obvious to the audience, then you are starting to change the character. You are adding details and nuances to the character that simply don't need to be added.

 

[sl500jazz]

I honestly don't see what difference it makes whether MJ dyes her hair or is a natural redhead? Can someone explain to me why being a natural redhead is pivotal to the character's story? It just seems like splitting hairs to me

Why even explain it? You wouldn't need to. The audience can work out "cool, she dyes her hair." That doesn't need to be spoon-fed. Go with a less vibrant version of this and it'd be fine:

Meh...I'd prefer something more like this for Zendaya. Never liked the Rihanna red. edit: just realized you said less vibrant

 

[Tilapia]

Zendaya looks hideous there compared to other photos of her. If she's MJ, the red hair has to be gonzo, that's the point of making the statement to begin with. You can't have a black chick with fake hair and eyes to be more comic accurate. It would be beyond ridiculous. So would the Rihanna look, unless they are making MJ Rihanna. I would prefer a natural shade, but if MJ is going to be a singer/superstar, you might as well have her shave a side of her scalp and go full blown Rihanna to look contemporary. And yeah, it will be totally believable for a geeky kid like Holland to land a chick looking like Rihanna...

 

[sl500jazz]

I actually think that dying her hair red would say a lot about her personality. I kind of want the red hair regardless of race (it's just an MJ signature), but maybe they won't dye it. Amy Adam's Lois Lane isn't a brunette as typically depicted. If they do dye it, they just need to find a nice warm color that compliments her skin tone.

 

[Neno_Kos]

I actually think that dying her hair red would say a lot about her personality. I kind of want the red hair regardless of race (it's just an MJ signature), but maybe they won't dye it. Amy Adam's Lois Lane isn't a brunette as typically depicted. If they do dye it, they just need to find a nice warm color that compliments her skin tone.

When you are starting building foundations of universe on bricks like that no wonder your universe start crushing down after two movies. Not saying making her brunnete get DCEU where it is, but that's how it starts. One brick is enough to get another brick wrong. And next one and next.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

Zendaya looks hideous there compared to other photos of her. If she's MJ, the red hair has to be gonzo, that's the point of making the statement to begin with. You can't have a black chick with fake hair and eyes to be more comic accurate. It would be beyond ridiculous. So would the Rihanna look, unless they are making MJ Rihanna. I would prefer a natural shade, but if MJ is going to be a singer/superstar, you might as well have her shave a side of her scalp and go full blown Rihanna to look contemporary. And yeah, it will be totally believable for a geeky kid like Holland to land a chick looking like Rihanna...

Lol what

 

[BatsDC]

uh

yep, may be time to abandon thread

 

[Tilapia]

Lol what

Here is your new MJ:

When you are starting building foundations of universe on bricks like that no wonder your universe start crushing down after two movies. Not saying making her brunnete get DCEU where it is, but that's how it starts. One brick is enough to get another brick wrong. And next one and next.

THat's how it starts. The rage... the anger. That turns good fanboys, into trolls.

Spoiler

Like ME!

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

When you are starting building foundations of universe on bricks like that no wonder your universe start crushing down after two movies. Not saying making her brunnete get DCEU where it is, but that's how it starts. One brick is enough to get another brick wrong. And next one and next.

Yeah, no. DCEU got where it is with ****** writing and a complete lack of understanding for its characters. Not to mention no plan for the broader universe. Why do you think the only movie from the DCEU that is aesthetically wrong (suicide squad) is the one that has the most potential and actually looks good? Meanwhile MOS and BVS look spot-on but are all style and no substance.

 

[Britney]

If Zendaya can pull off blond hair I don't think she'll have an issue with a reddish color at all. Can someone photoshop red hair onto this pic?

 

[Abudefduf]

Well, wow.

Wait, um, I mean, sorry MS, the amount of melanin in her skin is completely wrong for the role of MJ.
MJ should NEVER score over 20 on the Fitzpatrick scale, that's an absolutely pivotal part of her character. Unacceptable.

 

[Kurenai]

Well this board certainly moved while I was away.

This is from yesterday at the Billboard Awards

Spoiler

Variety didn't mention the name "Michelle" at all in the latest report, but referred to her as a 'mysterious role' instead & the THR said she's the female lead. Most likely, Marvel are keeping her real role under wraps for the time being & not a character called Michelle.

Yep, Deadline is the only outlet that mentioned the name "Michelle" both THR and Variety said the role is still under wraps, and both Variety and Deadline said the role is a "key role".

 

[Havok83]

If Zendaya can pull off blond hair I don't think she'll have an issue with a reddish color at all. Can someone photoshop red hair onto this pic?

she can't. Her hair looks awful there. Like worse than Jessica Alba in the FF films. Whatever role she is, they should keep her hair closer to its natural color. She's already a different race. That's a bigger deal than hair color. I don't see why they would need to try and fake like she's a redhead the way it was done with Dunst when they would already be expecting people to accept someone biracial in the role

 

[PeterBenParker]

This is from yesterday at the Billboard Awards

Spoiler

she can't. Her hair looks awful there. Like worse than Jessica Alba in the FF films. Whatever role she is, they should keep her hair closer to its natural color. She's already a different race. That's a bigger deal than hair color. I don't see why they would need to try and fake like she's a redhead the way it was done with Dunst when they would already expected people to expect someone biracial in the role

She could have some red streaks in her hair.

 

[Britney]

lol speaking of Alba, this was from last night too...

I think red streaks would be a great idea PBP

 

[PeterBenParker]

I think red streaks would be a great idea PBP

Glad ya do. t:

 

[Britney]

Another shot from last night which I think is stunning.

Please be MJ, please be MJ!!!

 

[PeterBenParker]

Another shot from last night which I think is stunning.

Please be MJ, please be MJ!!!

I definitely think it'd be a shame if she's not. People have yearned for a model-esque MJ for years with a sassy/spunky personality and a certain presence about her, and when they may finally get it (in Zendaya), they don't want it due to..reasons. Regardless, I do think she's MJ.

I wonder how they'll go about it, though. Do they officially announce her as MJ? Do they hide her role and keep it secret during filming? Very curious as to what happens before filming starts or during filming.

 

[The Infernal]

I really hope she's not. No need for needless stunt casting. I'm not against race bending characters in general, but with MJ I would prefer they respected the character first and foremost.

 

[Britney]

They can still respect the character if the only difference ends up being she's 1/2 black IMO

 

[The Infernal]

they can still respect the character if the only difference ends up being she's 1/2 black imo

ok.

 

[Kurenai]

she can't. Her hair looks awful there. Like worse than Jessica Alba in the FF films. Whatever role she is, they should keep her hair closer to its natural color. She's already a different race. That's a bigger deal than hair color. I don't see why they would need to try and fake like she's a redhead the way it was done with Dunst when they would already be expecting people to accept someone biracial in the role

That wig is not great, but she's rocked blonde before I believe.

Spoiler

But I believe you're totally right in thinking that they're not going red if Zendaya is MJ, and if they do want her as a redhead, they'll probably want it orange like so many other natural redheads of all races b/c it'll look natural for Zendaya.

Spoiler

Like that, or maybe a darker orange like this.

I really hope she's not. No need for needless stunt casting. I'm not against race bending characters in general, but with MJ I would prefer they respected the character first and foremost.

Is it really racebending if she's one half, when biracial actors go for non-biracial minority parts it's accurate, but not when it's the other way around...

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Or maybe she tested the best against Tom Holland. But no. Black skin = has to be stunt casting.