Homecoming The Zendaya is Mary Jane thread

[The Shape]

I have no problem with her playing a new character.

 

[harryoscop]

@Wallcrawler I'm not overreacting. I can't count on both hands how many times people have said that to me on different boards lol. They made a new character, but it wasn't necessary, they could've fit a comic character into the role she plays easily

 

[The Shape]

But...they didn't, and what's wrong with that?

 

[VelcroWallet]

I'm glad she's playing a new character. They could've shoehorned a comic character in but they decided to change it up. Props to them.

 

[harryoscop]

But...they didn't, and what's wrong with that?

I've already explained why.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy were new characters at one point. Give it a shot, you kight end up liking her character more than whatever other rando she could've been.

 

[The Shape]

I've already explained why.

No, you haven't, outside of essentially saying "it's unnecessary".

 

[sl500jazz]

I wasnt thrilled initially about them using original characters, but at the moment it's only one. I'd be more than happy if this movie shaped up to be like Spectacular Spider-man with Liz, Michelle filling in for TSSM Gwen, and Mary Jane showing up towards the end as Peter's suprise date to the dance.

 

[DigificWriter]

Complaining about Zendaya apparently playing an original character strikes me as being akin to FOX executives worrying about Chewbacca's lack of wardrobe in the original Star Wars, as epitomized by this statement from Mark Hamill:
"Of all the things to worry about. The Wookie has no pants".

 

[Dark Raven]

Complaining about Zendaya apparently playing an original character strikes me as being akin to FOX executives worrying about Chewbacca's lack of wardrobe in the original Star Wars, as epitomized by this statement from Mark Hamill:
"Of all the things to worry about. The Wookie has no pants".

That's what Ang Lee also said to himself when he wanted a 15-ft Hulk to run around naked. "Of all the things to worry about: the Hulk has no pants."

 

[Spider-Fan83]

^not sure I get the comparison?
as I don't think anyone would be complaining if Zendaya's character had no pants

lol

 

[DigificWriter]

My point is that complaining about Zendaya playing an original character is as pointless and inconsequential as complaining about Chewbacca not having pants.

 

[ironwez20]

What's so wrong with wanting a character from the comics be in the movies? As big a name as zendaya is whose to say she'll replace Mary Jane in this universe. Yea it's cool to have an original character but since it's zendaya she will obviously be around for awhile and most likely replace Mary Jane or Gwen. Given how marvel is with its movies she'll most likely be placed in the comics to.

Well hey if people don't care then I guess it's whatever.

 

[sl500jazz]

What's so wrong with wanting a character from the comics be in the movies?

Who's to say the characters from the comics (like Gwen and MJ) won't appear alongside Zendaya's new character? So far Michelle seems to be the only OC with a substantial role.

 

[The Caped Knight]

I still think she is Liz Allen!

 

[Web-Head]

I still think she is Liz Allen!

Laura is...Zendaya isn't

 

[Spider-Fan83]

What's so wrong with wanting a character from the comics be in the movies? As big a name as zendaya is whose to say she'll replace Mary Jane in this universe. Yea it's cool to have an original character but since it's zendaya she will obviously be around for awhile and most likely replace Mary Jane or Gwen. Given how marvel is with its movies she'll most likely be placed in the comics to.

Well hey if people don't care then I guess it's whatever.

I think even if she is an original character in this, she'll have a bigger story arc in sequels (that may even be hinted at in this one)

their down playing her role too much so I am definitely expecting a curveball

but, I don't see her character as a replacement or substitute for really comic characters who we may still see in later movies

 

[KalvinEllis]

She's not MJ. The way she was dressed in the set photos and the way she described her character isn't MJ

Considering how Flash Thompson looks here, I don't think how she dresses really matters. People made good points in previous comments, why would they cast her right after Holland if she wasn't playing an important character? I'm willing to subscribe to the theory about the awkward shy girl eventually transforming into the glamour knockout babe.

 

[KalvinEllis]

Making MJ start out as a shy, awkward, withdrawn, conservative, frumpy, plain HS student who transforms into stunning, outgoing, super model socialite in college is so totally NOT the character of traditional ( or Ultimate ) MJ.

Well that's not entirely true, she developed that personality subsequently, after she moved to NY to live with her aunt. She wanted to both fit in, as well as hide her turmoils from her abusive childhood past. The "real" MJ is the strong, sensitive, understanding, capable, smart and supportive person, the outgoing socialite is the facade. Maybe in here they decided to actually show us that transformation, instead of regurgitating the story of her being the knockout babe right from the start who hides her true self and all of that. That type of story is kind of old by today's standards anyway. How many times have we seen a movie where the seemingly superficial girl turns out to be vulnerable and reveals her true self to the hero, etc.

 

[sl500jazz]

How many times have we seen a movie where the seemingly superficial girl turns out to be vulnerable and reveals her true self to the hero, etc.

On the other hand, how many times have we seen a movie where the seemingly awkward/nerdy girl gets a glamorous makeover? The Breakfast Club, Clueless, She's All That, the Princess Diaries, Mean Girls, etc. I'd venture to say that that trope is more common.

Anyway, I think Zendaya's character is more likely a Gwen fill in than Mary Jane. I'd even be willing to bet that Harry and Gwen were used in the original draft, but were later changed to Michelle and Ned out of a reluctance to revisit those characters so soon.

 

[KalvinEllis]

On the other hand, how many times have we seen a movie where the seemingly awkward/nerdy girl gets a glamorous makeover? The Breakfast Club, Clueless, She's All That, the Princess Diaries, Mean Girls, etc. I'd venture to say that that trope is more common.

Not as common, but it is a trope. To me it's more preferable than "the not so shallow girl", but to each their own.

Anyway, I think Zendaya's character is more likely a Gwen fill in than Mary Jane. I'd even be willing to bet that Harry and Gwen were used in the original draft, but were later changed to Michelle and Ned out of a reluctance to revisit those characters so soon.

It's possible of course, but the fact that they cast her right after Holland makes me think it can't just be a character that's not that important in the long run.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

On the other hand, how many times have we seen a movie where the seemingly awkward/nerdy girl gets a glamorous makeover? The Breakfast Club, Clueless, She's All That, the Princess Diaries, Mean Girls,

Spectacular spider-man too

 

[DigificWriter]

Considering how Flash Thompson looks here, I don't think how she dresses really matters. People made good points in previous comments, why would they cast her right after Holland if she wasn't playing an important character? I'm willing to subscribe to the theory about the awkward shy girl eventually transforming into the glamour knockout babe.

She can be playing an important ORIGINAL character, and the kind of arc you're describing could easily be given to her without her having to be a character from the pre-existing comics.

However, ScreenRant believes that she's playing a version of the Michelle Gonzales character, and I'm inclined to believe them.

 

[sl500jazz]

Spectacular spider-man too

Haha exactly!

It's possible of course, but the fact that they cast her right after Holland makes me think it can't just be a character that's not that important in the long run.

If Michelle is presumably subbing for Gwen (as the first love/girlfriend or the girlfriend who dies ), then she will be important in the long run. At least, in terms of this film franchise.

 

[harryoscop]

Haha exactly!



If Michelle is presumably subbing for Gwen (as the first love/girlfriend or the girlfriend who dies ), then she will be important in the long run. At least, in terms of this film franchise.

Just because her character is smart and wears skirts doesn't make her a substitute for Gwen..