Homecoming The Zendaya is possibly someone, maybe thread - Part 2

[guyisnotcool]

while that is true, past incarnations of MJ have all shared several characteristics. MJ has been white, red head, and pretty.

Taking race out of the issue, MJ has been defined by her signature red hair and she's always been a pretty girl - whether she's the cute, nerdy "girl next door" type from Ultimate comics, the classic party girl from 616 or Spectacular show, or even childhood best friend from the Ultimate show.

MJ is also usually portrayed as friendly and outgoing and playful. Sure, classic party girl MJ is more extroverted than nerdy Ultimate MJ. But brainy Ultimate MJ wasn't some introverted bookish girl who sits off in the corner and makes fun of people with dry, sarcasm.

And no version of MJ ( as far as I can remember ) has ever been portrayed as a plain, frumpy looking ugly duckling who needs to undergo a transformation into a beauty.

If Zendaya is indeed playing MJ and we got a glimpse of her in the trailer, then that would be such a radical departure from the character - not just in terms of overall look but also her personality and potential story arc. If anything, it's the antithesis of what MJ's character type is supposed to be. To the point it feels like a totally different character.

Well look at Ned? This movie isn't accurate as some Marvel fans expected

 

[X Knight]

Well look at Ned? This movie isn't accurate as some Marvel fans expected

no. it isn't accurate.

but you can get away with changing Ned or Liz or even Flash ( to an extent ) because they aren't as major as MJ.

MJ is a top tier character in the Spider mythos.

 

[guyisnotcool]

no. it isn't accurate.

but you can get away with changing Ned or Liz or even Flash ( to an extent ) because they aren't as major as MJ.

MJ is a top tier character in the Spider mythos.

That's the kinda slippery slope Marvel uses to get you. The MCU is accurate to a degree but never 100.

 

[X Knight]

That's the kinda slippery slope Marvel uses to get you. The MCU is accurate to a degree but never 100.

that's true.

and come to think of it, this will be the 1st "well known" property MCU has tackled.

up until now, Marvel has tackled lesser known characters to the general public - IM, Cap, Thor. And even way lesser known properties like Guardians and Dr. Strange and Antman.

With all of those properties, the supporting cast for those characters is even less well known than the main character.

So, they could get away with making changes to these characters.

Now, they are tackling Spider-Man and his cast of characters.

 

[Guts]

Isn't it sending the wrong message to woman and young girls, if Zendaya is in fact MJ, that hey you can look like how she looks in this trailer, grimy and what not, and she's just behind the scenes to everyone but at the end she puts on makeup and glams herself up and thats when Peter finally notices her?? Just don't sound right to me.

I'm guessing they're going for a Breakfast Club reference.

Which would make this go full circle because Martin Sheen played uncle Ben in the Amazing Spider-Man and and his son Emilio was in Breakfast Club.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

How about this. Judging by the fact that she's sitting by herself in the cafeteria, I can only assume that not many people at the school talk to her or know much about her like she just seen as someone who's "just there"; all they know is that her name starts with a M but everyone thinks it's Michelle and she's so over it that she's like "yeah Michelle, whatever". So when we get to the actual homecoming part, she reveals to Peter that her name is actually Mary Jane.

I'm confused... I thought Marvel confirmed she was playing MJ, but was it a leak? Or just a rumor?

Nothing confirmed. Rumor posited by not very credible source who is sometimes right and sometimes wrong.

 

[Infinity9999x]

that's true.

and come to think of it, this will be the 1st "well known" property MCU has tackled.

up until now, Marvel has tackled lesser known characters to the general public - IM, Cap, Thor. And even way lesser known properties like Guardians and Dr. Strange and Antman.

With all of those properties, the supporting cast for those characters is even less well known than the main character.

So, they could get away with making changes to these characters.

Now, they are tackling Spider-Man and his cast of characters.

This is true, but general public isn't even really that aware of Spider-man's extended cast outside Aunt May, JJ, MJ, and the Osborns. Even then, it certainly isn't like they have an intimate knowledge of them. Dunst's MJ was almost nothing like how Mary Jane was in the comics, but the general public largely didn't care.

Just like they wouldn't care if Zendaya does or doesn't turn out to be Mary Jane. It'll only be the hard core fans (us) that will really talk about it.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

This is true, but general public isn't even really that aware of Spider-man's extended cast outside Aunt May, JJ, MJ, and the Osborns. Even then, it certainly isn't like they have an intimate knowledge of them. Dunst's MJ was almost nothing like how Mary Jane was in the comics, but the general public largely didn't care.

Just like they wouldn't care if Zendaya does or doesn't turn out to be Mary Jane. It'll only be the hard core fans (us) that will really talk about it.

Good point. All the GA want is the stuff they know (like you said--they don't really know most of it intimately--most people thought organic webs were the truth and were confused by TASM) and a good story.

 

[Enriquespy]

I was hoping for her to be Flash.

 

[X Knight]

This is true, but general public isn't even really that aware of Spider-man's extended cast outside Aunt May, JJ, MJ, and the Osborns. Even then, it certainly isn't like they have an intimate knowledge of them. Dunst's MJ was almost nothing like how Mary Jane was in the comics, but the general public largely didn't care.

Just like they wouldn't care if Zendaya does or doesn't turn out to be Mary Jane. It'll only be the hard core fans (us) that will really talk about it.

that's true.

though, compared to Zendaya's potential portrayal, Dunst's MJ would be closer to comic MJ. But that's also why I wanted a more accurate/faithful version of MJ this time around, because Dunst's MJ left room for improvement.

and if anything, with how popular the Raimi films were, Dunst's MJ could have impressed upon the general audience of who MJ is supposed to be. at the very least, when they hear MJ from Spider-Man, they'll immediately think of Spidey's hot, redhaired girlfriend.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

at the very least, when they hear MJ from Spider-Man, they'll immediately think of Spidey's hot, redhaired girlfriend.

I don't mind if they deviate from the source as much as you do, X, but I do think it's sad that the most faithful adaptation of MJ we've had in any medium to date is TSSM.

 

[X Knight]

I don't mind if they deviate from the source as much as you do, X, but I do think it's sad that the most faithful adaptation of MJ we've had in any medium to date is TSSM.

we got spoiled by TSSM.

 

[Leo Zelinsky]

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

we got spoiled by TSSM.

On almost every front lol.

What a show.

 

[TheVileOne]

while that is true, past incarnations of MJ have all shared several characteristics. MJ has been white, red head, and pretty.

Taking race out of the issue, MJ has been defined by her signature red hair and she's always been a pretty girl - whether she's the cute, nerdy "girl next door" type from Ultimate comics, the classic party girl from 616 or Spectacular show, or even childhood best friend from the Ultimate show.

MJ is also usually portrayed as friendly and outgoing and playful. Sure, classic party girl MJ is more extroverted than nerdy Ultimate MJ. But brainy Ultimate MJ wasn't some introverted bookish girl who sits off in the corner and makes fun of people with dry, sarcasm.

And no version of MJ ( as far as I can remember ) has ever been portrayed as a plain, frumpy looking ugly duckling who needs to undergo a transformation into a beauty.

If Zendaya is indeed playing MJ and we got a glimpse of her in the trailer, then that would be such a radical departure from the character - not just in terms of overall look but also her personality and potential story arc. If anything, it's the antithesis of what MJ's character type is supposed to be. To the point it feels like a totally different character.

So you are saying Zendaya is made to look ugly?

 

[Havok83]

that's true.

and come to think of it, this will be the 1st "well known" property MCU has tackled.

up until now, Marvel has tackled lesser known characters to the general public - IM, Cap, Thor. And even way lesser known properties like Guardians and Dr. Strange and Antman..

I dont agree with that. Spidey is definitely the most well known character but I think Hulk was by far the most well known Marvel character prior to the MCU. He had a popular tv series and a string of associated movies in the 70s, which gained new life in 80s syndication. He's also had several cartoons in the 80s, 90s and 00s in addition to multiple appearances in other Marvel animated shows. Plus the whole getting angry and turning into a big green monster is such an easy spoof that has been utilized in so many places. He's had alot of exposure that spans decades so older and younger viewers are aware of who he is. Id definitely say the general public had an idea of who Hulk was before MCU.

 

[ohiostate124]

Ugly? No. I think he means more plain.

 

[X Knight]

yeah. they purposefully made Zendaya look plain and frumpy.

they purposefully downplayed her beauty. as well as a her sassy, playful personality. which is all perfect for MJ.

 

[Leo Zelinsky]

I wonder why?

 

[X Knight]

if you want Zendaya as MJ, this is it. She's pretty and she's got the playful sassy vibe. That gif evokes playful alpha female party girl - which is MJ.

her hair is even reddish.

but no. we're not getting that. we're getting this instead.

she'll have to undergo some ugly duckling transformation - not just in terms of look but also personality. And that's so totally not part of the character of MJ.

ah well. guess we'll see what happens.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

That posture makes me uncomfortable.

 

[PeterBenParker]

She looks sleepy.

 

[X Knight]

She looks sleepy.

she has a dry "deadpan" expression and delivery of her lines.

in many ways, her character reminds of Raven from the Teen Titans show.

Raven was an introverted, loner bookworm who kept to herself off to the side and had a dry, sarcastic, deadpan expression who rarely smiled.

the only difference was that Raven was at least hot, in a goth demon girl sort of way.

And MJ should never ever be compared to Raven - cuz they are totally different character types. if anything, MJ would be closer to Starfire.

 

[KalvinEllis]

Yes, this give you an MJ vibe. That in the trailer and set pics doesn't.

 

[DavidHaller]

I really hope she turns out to be MJ! That would be so wonderful!

Finger's crossed!