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

[X Knight]

I think the original may have been difficult to pull off, if only because the ga already knows that MJ is supposed to be attractive. It wouldnt have been much of a suprise to the audience. What they could have done though is referred to Peter's blind date as "Anna's neice", not revealing her to be Mary Jane until Peter meets her for their date (similar to what they may be doing now...just without the Michelle cover up).

they could do it similar to what I proposed several days ago.

MJ is the popular party girl at Peter's HS. Peter is turned off by her seemingly carefree/self-centered personality, especially as the dual responsibility of being Peter AND Spidey starts weighing on him. Peter is also enamored with Liz Allen - his "dream girl." So, Peter knows MJ, but he doesn't really know her that well. He doesn't know her last name is Watson, so he doesn't connect that she is the "Mrs. Watson's nice niece" that Aunt May keeps pestering him about.

The general audience wouldn't make the connection either, unless they are comic fans like us in the know. Even if the audience knows, the point is, Peter doesn't know.

At some point in the film, Peter ( maybe as Spidey ) sees that MJ's "perfect world" isn't so perfect. Maybe as Spidey, that gives him the confidence to approach her and talk to her. And maybe talking to Spidey gives MJ the confidence to actually open up and be honest about her feelings. Maybe at some point, MJ discovers Peter's secret. and that motivates her to be more confident in herself without relying on a façade/mask.

Then, at the end, Peter is left dateless for the homecoming dance ( maybe his "perfect girl" stood him up for Flash instead ). Suddenly, the doorbell rings and MJ is standing there, ready with her Tiger line.

 

[Dark Raven]

they could do it similar to what I proposed several days ago.

MJ is the popular party girl at Peter's HS. Peter is turned off by her seemingly carefree/self-centered personality, especially as the dual responsibility of being Peter AND Spidey starts weighing on him. Peter is also enamored with Liz Allen - his "dream girl." So, Peter knows MJ, but he doesn't really know her that well. He doesn't know her last name is Watson, so he doesn't connect that she is the "Mrs. Watson's nice niece" that Aunt May keeps pestering him about.

The general audience wouldn't make the connection either, unless they are comic fans like us in the know. Even if the audience knows, the point is, Peter doesn't know.

At some point in the film, Peter ( maybe as Spidey ) sees that MJ's "perfect world" isn't so perfect. Maybe as Spidey, that gives him the confidence to approach her and talk to her. And maybe talking to Spidey gives MJ the confidence to actually open up and be honest about her feelings. Maybe at some point, MJ discovers Peter's secret. and that motivates her to be more confident in herself without relying on a façade/mask.

Then, at the end, Peter is left dateless for the homecoming dance ( maybe his "perfect girl" stood him up for Flash instead ). Suddenly, the doorbell rings and MJ is standing there, ready with her Tiger line.

That would be much better than her having to become Sandy from Grease and Peter realising that she's the one that he wants all along.

 

[X Knight]

That would be much better than her having to become Sandy from Grease and Peter realising that she's the one that he wants all along.

yep.

and you wouldn't have to drastically change the character into something she's not in order to have your contrived transformation story arc. nor would you have to give her an entirely different name, which is equally as contrived if not more so.

instead, you could focus on an aspect that IS part of the character's story, and you could do a play on the classic reveal without keeping the character entirely off screen or hidden.

 

[SpideyJJ]

In other news, it's Zendaya's birthday! Happy birthday to her, hope she enjoys it

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

That would be much better than her having to become Sandy from Grease and Peter realising that she's the one that he wants all along.

If they have a big musical dance sequence at the end where MJ wears tight leather pants and a black T-shirt while Peter looks like Danny then I may give the idea of a MJ transformation a chance. :-P

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Honestly, I know it will come off as super dated in probably 5 years or less but I like the idea of MJ being social-media famous and covering it up with fake "Michelle" identity at school to avoid being harangued. It's not my favorite idea ever, but I think I like it more than all the alternatives I can think of based on what we know currently.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

But it feels too Disneyish; too "Hannah Montana" in my opinion. (Which is funny because, again, Disney owns Marvel, Zendaya is only known for being a Disney Channel star, and Disney made "Hannah Montana" and put Miley Cyrus' name on the map before she went crazy.)

I don't understand why it's so hard to give us a classic-looking MJ and introduce her like the comics. Peter could have a series of misfortunes with grades slipping, not being on time at a date or losing the girl (Liz or Sally), and dealing with the villains, and then Aunt Anna and Aunt May hear Peter's predicament and Aunt Anna gets the bright idea of hooking Peter up with her niece. Peter could decline the offer but when she shows up at his door and he's awestruck about her, she does the famous "Jackpot" line and poof movie ends.

I don't understand how this is so hard to adapt. You don't need to change a single thing about the character. She's already perfect and easily adaptable but alas if Zendaya is indeed MJ and they plan to go a geek to chic route.

 

[Kurenai]

Late, but happy birthday to Zendaya, who turned 20, one step closer to alcohol city!

~~

I forgot that there was a Zendaya website, it claims it's official, anyway in the news section there's an article that was written about a black Mary Jane, if this website is really official and not fan run then Zendaya basically confirmed the role.

At the same time Zendaya knows how to keep secrets, so I don't see her posting this article (i.e an article written under the impression that Zendaya is playing MJ), and even if the article is something Z would agree with and would retweet and like, and repost if she had the opportunity, I don't see her doing it at the expense of exposing this marvel casting secret or furthering rumors.

I mean her team could have made a mistake or maybe the message of the article means more than potentially furthering rumors, in any case it is a bit strange that her fans/stans haven't used the website posting that article as some proof to lord over people in denial. Then again it's not like Zendaya interacts with fans on there, nor is there a forum for her fans to congregate like there is on fan websites, plus any news about her is something you'd easily find on twitter or with a quick Google search.

I'll probably ask around about this tho.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

You want to know what I don't understand? They're calling this is a black MJ and that Zendaya is black. She is actually half black and half white. So, it makes just as much sense to say Zendaya is white, so we are getting a white MJ. So technically, they're only race changing one of MJ's parents, moreso than changing MJ's race. Just another way at looking at things.

 

[X Knight]

You want to know what I don't understand? They're calling this is a black MJ and that Zendaya is black. She is actually half black and half white. So, it makes just as much sense to say Zendaya is white, so we are getting a white MJ. So technically, they're only race changing one of MJ's parents, moreso than changing MJ's race. Just another way at looking at things.

technically, that is true.

but "visually," Zendaya looks black ( or certainly more black than white ). and therein lies the "problem."

if you didn't know Zendaya is bi-racial, you would think she's black upon first seeing her.

just like I've posted before how other bi-racial actresses ( like Meghan Markle from the Suits show ) look more white than black. If you didn't know Meghan was bi-racial, upon first glance, you would probably think she's white.

if the role of MJ ( or Michelle or whoever she is ) had been down to Zendaya and a younger Meghan Markle, and Meghan got the part instead, I think there would be much less of an issue - for the simple fact that Meghan looks more white and thus looks closer to the source material. even though, technically, MJ would still be part black with Meghan in the role.

it's all about the "visuals" and whether or not the actor/actress looks like the source material.

we as fans really do respond when said actor/actress literally looks like the comic book come to life on the screen. Like RDJ as Tony Stark or Henry Cavill in costume as Superman or whatever.

 

[Britney]

Funny thing is, Zendaya was actually going to play Aaliyah in a biopic until fans were in a uproar because she was too light skinned and not "black enough"

I have seen her look more black than white and more white than black on various occasions.

Since the MJ reveal has been leaked, Stan Lee has discussed it various times and the article about a black MJ on Zendaya's official website confirm it for me.

I think if it was an outright lie Sony would've said something by now. I think they are just going to play mum until the film comes out.

 

[X Knight]

but the "surprise" element is basically ruined now. So, there's really no point in trying to keep mum on this. the cat's out of the bag now. might as well just come out and confirm it.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

It's time they fess up at and admit she is MJ or she is Michelle. Watts called her Michelle and until I hear anything else come out of his mouth that he was lying and she really is MJ or there's an official press release or announcement that confirms she is MJ or not, till that time she is still Michelle. Whether it's Gonzales or no last name at all, she'll remain Michelle as much as some fans and eager journalists looking to create click bait news want her to be MJ.

 

[harryoscop]

Or rather desperate fans who don't want her to MJ and Michelle instead even though the evidence points to the former. I've seen it from both sides. Whether she's Mary Jane Watson or Michelle J___, I think she's going to be this universe's version of that character.

 

[PeterBenParker]

Or rather desperate fans who don't want her to MJ and Michelle instead even though the evidence points to the former. I've seen it from both sides. Whether she's Mary Jane Watson or Michelle J___, I think she's going to be this universe's version of that character.

Yup.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Or rather desperate fans who don't want her to MJ and Michelle instead even though the evidence points to the former. I've seen it from both sides. Whether she's Mary Jane Watson or Michelle J___, I think she's going to be this universe's version of that character.

What evidence? Rumors got started, trades picked it up, and now they've been snowballing the rumor down a hill and people are picking it up and buying it. Nowhere has it been confirmed she *is* MJ or some form of her. Until she sports red hair, says the famous "Jackpot" line or there's an actual word confirming she is, she's still "Michelle."

 

[X Knight]

technically, it is true that nothing has been "confirmed" about Zendaya playing MJ.

which is why I DO want some kind of official confirmation from Marvel or Sony.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

technically, it is true that nothing has been "confirmed" about Zendaya playing MJ.

which is why I DO want some kind of official confirmation from Marvel or Sony.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Funny thing is, Zendaya was actually going to play Aaliyah in a biopic until fans were in a uproar because she was too light skinned and not "black enough"

I have seen her look more black than white and more white than black on various occasions.

Since the MJ reveal has been leaked, Stan Lee has discussed it various times and the article about a black MJ on Zendaya's official website confirm it for me.

I think if it was an outright lie Sony would've said something by now. I think they are just going to play mum until the film comes out.

which is ironic because it was mostly black fans saying that..... the same ones who are upset with people for not wanting a white, red-headed MJ

 

[X Knight]

which is ironic because it was mostly black fans saying that..... the same ones who are upset with people for not wanting a white, red-headed MJ

nah. there's certainly no irony there.

 

[BAMFsnikt]

which is ironic because it was mostly black fans saying that..... the same ones who are upset with people for not wanting a white, red-headed MJ

Because there's so much overlap between Spider-Man fans and Aaliyah fans? I really don't think this is a narrative.

Even if there was one, this is a loaded issue. Colorism does exist within the African-American community, meaning that representation of Black people in media has consistently veered more lighter-skinned. Many hold the belief that it's harming the community because it's giving the impression that lighter-skinned, more European-looking, Black people are more "desirable." So, to use your example, people felt some type of way about her being cast as Aaliyah because of the light vs. dark complex.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Didn't Zoe Saldana run into a problem with playing Nina Simone because they made her skin darker than it is in the film to portray Nina but critics and fans of Nina voiced their concerns because it looked off-putting?

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Because there's so much overlap between Spider-Man fans and Aaliyah fans? I really don't think this is a narrative.

Even if there was one, this is a loaded issue. Colorism does exist within the African-American community, meaning that representation of Black people in media has consistently veered more lighter-skinned. Many hold the belief that it's harming the community because it's giving the impression that lighter-skinned, more European-looking, Black people are more "desirable." So, to use your example, people felt some type of way about her being cast as Aaliyah because of the light vs. dark complex.

... its not about "fans" at all.. most the people who attack others online are arm-chair activists... there's been a hell of alot of people who's knowledge of Mary Jane is that on film... and know nothing about the character.. but have plenty of opinions and think there's trumps the actual fans

 

[BAMFsnikt]

Didn't Zoe Saldana run into a problem with playing Nina Simone because they made her skin darker than it is in the film to portray Nina but critics and fans of Nina voiced their concerns because it looked off-putting?

Yes, they used makeup to make her darker, which made many uncomfortable because it was reminiscent of Blackface -- when White actors would paint their faces Black to portray racist caricatures of Black people. Plus, Nina Simone's family did not agree with the casting, either.

Ultimately, there is a movement which doesn't only feel like it's important to show Black people in nuanced and important roles -- it's also important to showcase Blackness through various different lenses. There's not one type of Black, and historically, the media has portrayed the light-skinned, straight-haired Black woman as the ideal. This is why a biracial Zendaya being cast as Aaliyah caused controversy.

 

[BAMFsnikt]

... its not about "fans" at all.. most the people who attack others online are arm-chair activists... there's been a hell of alot of people who's knowledge of Mary Jane is that on film... and know nothing about the character.. but have plenty of opinions and think there's trumps the actual fans

That's fair, but it's a loaded issue. There's reasons why the same people who would be excited about Zendaya being MJ would also be opposed to her being Aaliyah. Pardon the pun, but it's not a "black and white" issue. It's a very loaded, very complex issue.