Homecoming The Zendaya is Mary Jane thread

[MadVillainy]

Can someone explain what exactly is the benefit of the bait and switch unless it's story related.
Like if she's going to be called MJ throughout the movie, what is the benefit of casting her and saying she's "Michelle"

I hope it's not some TDKR Robin thing where she is referred to as Michelle and then it's revealed that she likes being called MJ

 

[Smilodon]

Yeah, it's not like Talia in TDKR at all. Maybe they just like surprises?

 

[Scarlet Spider]

It wasn't perfect for sure as MJ seemed to lack some agency at times, but I did like her in the first two films and thought Raimi at least was genuine in their depiction. I just prefer that to the Webb films' portrayal of Gwen/Peter, but yes. The source material is the best. I remember the Raimi films got me into Spidey comics back when all we had were X-Men and Spidey, so I'm excited to see MJ and Peter back on the screen again.

I HATED her in all three films.

She was cold, obnoxious and unlikable and I never bought into their relationship. It's just a sore spot for me. MJ is probably my favorite female Marvel character and the only live action portrayal we've had of her really left a bad taste in my mouth.

That's in the past. Marvel has a chance to finally get her right.

 

[JC00]

Meh. Disney Channel product. SJW will call me racist but I feel like they could have done better than her, whether it be a black, white or asian female

I will be the first to admit I was wrong and eat crow if she is good but this just seems like Marvel deciding to go for a minority after recent backlash and Disney Executives pushing their current It girl. I mean just doing a bit of research she was the lead on a Disney show from '10-'13, starred in 2 Disney Channel movies and now is the lead of another Disney Channel show. Pretty easy to call her Disney's current It girl and what better role to give their current It girl than Marvel's most notable female character.


And yes I know Sony supposedly has final say but if Feige and Marvel/Disney says Zendaya is their choice for Mary Jane, that's who it's gonna be

 

[Smilodon]

I HATED her in all three films.

She was cold, obnoxious and unlikable and I never bought into their relationship. It's just a sore spot for me. MJ is probably my favorite female Marvel character and the only live action portrayal we've had of her really left a bad taste in my mouth.

That's in the past. Marvel has a chance to finally get her right.

Totally understandable. I look forward to Zendaya/Watts approach too!

 

[Tacit Ronin]

I knew it. They are easing her into the revelation to try to mitigate racist outrage. Trying being the key word here.

 

[Serpico Jones]

Kirsten Dunst kinda sucked as MJ in the Raimi trilogy.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

I kept sayin' something didn't add up.

A few of my previous posts in this thread...

It really is a headscratcher?

The first role they made a priority to cast, which they spent weeks looking for just the right actress, was for an original character named "Michelle" (Since Watts didn't mention a last name, I'm going to assume it's someone new).

A KEY ROLE, that will be expanded upon in future films.

Meanwhile, the rest of the core cast, are all playing classic characters from the comics (Liz Allen, Flash Thompson, Ned Leeds, etc.).

It still doesn't add up. LOL

Also...

I still feel there's more to "Michelle" than their letting on. We'll see.

 

[KalvinEllis]

I love nerd tears over minor changes.

Goals.

 

[Fincher]

Boo.

 

[nyyarod]

I love Zendaya so this is perfect.

 

[Jekecy]

Can someone explain what exactly is the benefit of the bait and switch unless it's story related.
Like if she's going to be called MJ throughout the movie, what is the benefit of casting her and saying she's "Michelle"

They may be building up to the classic reveal of MJ at Peter's doorstep, or their own modern twist of it. If 'Michelle' is this homely looking teen (per the set pics), no one's going to expect her to be the quintessential knockout. But we all know Zendaya is more than capable of looking like it.

 

[KalvinEllis]

I think some people need to stop being one-dimensional in their views towards others who may not enjoy this casting. Not being a fan of the casting doesn't mean you're a racist bigot. People pull the race card far too often nowadays. Personally I've never seen Zendaya in anything before, hence I'm not sure what to expect of her. Despite that I don't think this character needed to be racebended, I'm not against the actress not been Caucasian. I simply don't know much about her at all.

 

[Britney]

lol is it time for me to change the title yet?

im glad I never really gave up hope!!

 

[MadVillainy]

I think some people need to stop being one-dimensional in their views towards others who may not enjoy this casting. Not being a fan of the casting doesn't mean you're a racist bigot. People pull the race card far too often nowadays. Personally I've never seen Zendaya in anything before, hence I'm not sure what to expect of her. Despite that I don't think this character needed to be racebended, I'm not against the actress not been Caucasian. I simply don't know much about her at all.

Good luck with that battle

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I think some people need to stop being one-dimensional in their views towards others who may not enjoy this casting. Not being a fan of the casting doesn't mean you're a racist bigot. People pull the race card far too often nowadays. Personally I've never seen Zendaya in anything before, hence I'm not sure what to expect of her. Despite that I don't think this character needed to be racebended, I'm not against the actress not been Caucasian. I simply don't know much about her at all.

I don't think that most people who wanted a physically comic book accurate MJ are racist.

I've jumped to that accusation before when I shouldn't have and that was wrong and cruel of me and for that I apologize.

 

[KalvinEllis]

I don't think that most people who wanted a physically comic book accurate MJ are racist.

That's cool, but it doesn't make my point any less valid. Outrage can be equally bad on either side.

I've jumped to that accusation before when I shouldn't have and that was wrong and cruel of me and for that I apologize.

And I've rushed to accuse people of jumping the gun before, maybe when they were in their rights do so. I'm not proud of that either. I know it's never that simple.

 

[JC00]

Umberto Gonzalez is the one reporting this??

Wouldn't surprise me at all if this turns out to be false

 

[Lencho01]

Posted this in another thread:
Eh just make her an original/obscure love interest. We've gotten MJ. We've gotten Gwen. Do something different for a bit.


If she is MJ, it just annoys me that they said she was playing "Michelle".

I probably would've gone with a character like Indy in the MTV Spidey toon.

 

[MadVillainy]

You know poor girl is gonna be harassed over this.


Just ugh...

 

[chaseter]

I love nerd tears over minor changes.

It's ok if they change the race of a white character according to society.

 

[MadVillainy]

Umberto Gonzalez is the one reporting this??

Wouldn't surprise me at all if this turns out to be false

Other source are corroborating it

 

[def28]

You know poor girl is gonna be harassed over this.


Just ugh...

Look at what happened when Shaline Woodly was cast...doesn't matter what color skin. This role is on a check list pedestal with fans. One way or the other backlash and rude comments are on their way.

White, Black, Indian, Asian or whatever. I just want her to have red hair haha.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

That's cool, but it doesn't make my point any less valid. Outrage can be equally bad on either side.

Okay. I think the uber purists side are more obnoxious but that's just me. I'm mostly a purist when it comes to certain characterizations so I definitely have my purist fangirl side.

 

[Havok83]

I love nerd tears over minor changes.

Changing the race of a major character isnt a minor change