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

[Talion]

I absolutely agree. That's my whole argument on Katherine McNamara. I'm fine with Zendaya as MJ as long as she does a solid acting job and Watts/Feige and Zendaya portray the character correctly. So, I hope this wasn't directed at me as I did not base my fan casting 100% on Bamber's appearance. I'm familiar with the actress and I believe her role/acting in PPZ matches MJ and she looks like one of the stunt doubles.

I think the point that he and others were trying to make is that people just put someone with red hair and the posts about how she'd be better than Z follows. Who knows what ethnicity MJ will be whenever she shows up, as long as they make the character justice, I couldn't care less.

 

[marijuanawatson]

I think the point that he and others were trying to make is that people just put someone with red hair and the posts about how she'd be better than Z follows. Who knows what ethnicity MJ will be whenever she shows up, as long as they make the character justice, I couldn't care less.

Oh, okay. I just want MJ to be in this franchise, really well written, and true to the character. Preferably with red locks on whoever plays her, but it wouldn't kill me.

 

[dkamphaus43]

Well i know Watts likes the character since he cited spider-man loves mary jane as well as ultimate as an influence.

Doesn't necessarily mean he's a fan of the character.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

Of all the series to pick he chose the one where Mary Jane is the focal point and spidey is a supporting character, id say hes a fan of her.

 

[Jekecy]

Zendaya said she had to work hard and audition like everyone else for her role (which may very well not even ne mj) so that point is moot. Its not like they just cherry pick you out of their roster lol

Whether or not they were specifically asked to do the part or audition, doesn’t change the fact she has a leg-up on the competition. There’s a reason you always see the same dozen or so up-and-comers within a 2-3 year time period. Every talent agency is looking to prop up their client and make a potential star, and the casting directors are looking for the next big name to put on their project.

Zendaya in particular has had a consistent momentum which is spilling over into Hollywood. it would be incredibly naive to think she is on equal footing with ‘Jane Doe’ who’s had little to no screen credentials, if they were indeed vying for the same part.

I’d reiterate I would still be fine with her as MJ (on the provision they attempt to get her as close to the classical look as possible). But let’s not pretend this young, Disney prospect just happened to have landed a huge part on their tentpole film.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

Of all the series to pick he chose the one where Mary Jane is the focal point and spidey is a supporting character, id say hes a fan of her.

Which is part of the reason why I saw validity in Zendaya being MJ. It seems weird not having MJ in the movie after citing that comic as an influence.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Whether or not they were specifically asked to do the part or audition, doesn’t change the fact she has a leg-up on the competition. There’s a reason you always see the same dozen or so up-and-comers within a 2-3 year time period. Every talent agency is looking to prop up their client and make a potential star, and the casting directors are looking for the next big name to put on their project.

Zendaya in particular has had a consistent momentum which is spilling over into Hollywood. it would be incredibly naive to think she is on equal footing with ‘Jane Doe’ who’s had little to no screen credentials, if they were indeed vying for the same part.

I’d reiterate I would still be fine with her as MJ (on the provision they attempt to get her as close to the classical look as possible). But let’s not pretend this young, Disney prospect just happened to have landed a huge part on their tentpole film.

Well said. I am in firm agreement with your last paragraph.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Which is part of the reason why I saw validity in Zendaya being MJ. It seems weird not having MJ in the movie after citing that comic as an influence.

I think people who are theorizing MJ isn't in Homecoming are forgetting this, although it's been awhile since I tried to read any of that series. Maybe MJ in Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane could be interchangeable with another female love interest in high school?

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

Plenty of factors go into casting. I think its unfair to just say she got it without working for it though. She went through Marvel's casting crew, not disneys. These are the same people that hired a nobody for the main character of this movie. And hired plenty of nobodies in the past as well. And just a few years ago there was a nobody cast for star wars. So yes, random jane and john doe's do and dont get hired all the time over other more well-known actors.

 

[dkamphaus43]

Of all the series to pick he chose the one where Mary Jane is the focal point and spidey is a supporting character, id say hes a fan of her.

He might really like other aspects of the story, but it doesn't necessarily mean he likes her character in particular.

 

[Jekecy]

Plenty of factors go into casting. I think its unfair to just say she got it without working for it though. She went through Marvel's casting crew, not disneys. These are the same people that hired a nobody for the main character of this movie. And hired plenty of nobodies in the past as well. And just a few years ago there was a nobody cast for star wars. So yes, random jane and john doe's do and dont get hired all the time over other more well-known actors.

Don’t mistake me for downplaying Zendaya’s personal efforts to nab the part. But this is a well-known practice within the industry. There are stronger forces at work when it comes to these blockbusters. Nothing’s by happenstance.

Not too long ago Katee Sackhoff gave some insight into the casting process (she was asked if she’d ever been approached for Star Wars). Basically said casting was split in two parts:

There’s the wide casting net that’s procedural, and they’ll get the outstanding ones from those numerous tests and move them up ’the ladder’. But there’s another list containing names of existing actors they want to pay special attention to. These are the ones the studio/director are keen on, irrespective of the vast talent pool at their disposal. Unless there is an indisputably strong contender from the crowd of unknowns, it’s almost always the case that ’name list’ pans out and one of them gets the contract.

Hence the repeated faces you see every single year, even if they aren’t necessarily a star yet. The people you consider ’nobodies’ have been making names for themselves either in indies or through several impressive casting rounds (even if they ultimately lost out) across several projects. It’s very rare to see an actual amateur make it to the big leagues in a starring role, like Daisy Ridley.

 

[Fincher]

Honestly, I can never co-sign the act of posting random pictures of different actresses and using that as the basis for casting. Casting topics always inevitably devolve into posting various pretty redheads, asking "Do you think she'd be good," to various replies of "I have never seen her in anything, but I'd be okay with her." It sort of underlines the problem. People are willing to eat anything, as long as it looks familiar -- whether they know how it's going to taste, or not.

I'd understand it if people were familiar with the actors in question, but it never appears so.

Acting ability is important, but that doesn't mean I feel the need to mention it in every related post. I'm evaluating what I do know, which is that Ellie Bamber is one of the hotter actresses I'm aware of in the age group, and that's with red hair (some wouldn't look as good as redheads). If she were cast, I'd have no reason to question it, because I don't know either way how I'd feel about her acting.

 

[Arachnerd]

He might really like other aspects of the story, but it doesn't necessarily mean he likes her character in particular.

...I don't know if you're being really ignorant, or just really stubborn in denying that Feige as well as Watts like the MJ character. Again, you're leaning on how she's being treated in the comic book division as to why we should agree with your point of view and not acknowledge that it's not the same thing as the movie division.

I literally stated this a page ago.

 

[dkamphaus43]

...I don't know if you're being really ignorant, or just really stubborn in denying that Feige as well as Watts like the MJ character. Again, you're leaning on how she's being treated in the comic book division as to why we should agree with your point of view and not acknowledge that it's not the same thing as the movie division.

I literally stated this a page ago.

Ok first of all, no need for name calling. And second, I wasn't even aware that Feige was a fan of the character. Could you please tell me where you heard or read this?

 

[Havok83]

Is she not getting her own series along with Peter and their daughter in RYV? She was Carnage in Ultimate Spider-Man?

I think people at Marvel do like the character, just not with Peter for whatever reason.

Carnage? WTH?!?!

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

If PBP is referring to USM comic series, he is mistaken.

Carnage was a project based on Peter's cloned DNA that absorbed life forms in order to survive. It killed Ultimate Gwen, but the whole cloned/replicated/blah blah DNA was experimented on. It manifested itself as a clone of Gwen Stacy later on but retained the Carnage powers. Kind of a cool concept, especially as it's an AU and not 616.

If MJ was Carnage in the USM cartoon, however, I have no idea. Nor do I wish to.

 

[Arachnerd]

Ok first of all, no need for name calling. And second, I wasn't even aware that Feige was a fan of the character. Could you please tell me where you heard or read this?

He hasn't exactly said he liked the character, likely because well, he has no reason to yet unless actually asked about MJ in an interview.

However, not having talked about the character does not equal disliking her. I've stated before on how why Feige and Watts have their own thoughts separate from Marvel's comic book division, which true, it's not really treating the character right. But having Watts mention one of his inspirations for Homecoming be Spidey Loves MJ, a comic book series which has her as a main character in it, might at least lead most people to inquire that Watts himself likes the character at least and not just drawing from other aspects of it.

 

[harryoscop]

It was revealed via leaked emails that Feige had MJ in his original pitch for Marvel's version of Spider-Man, and he wanted to participate in MJ's casting in the event she was in the movie. That's how we know he likes the character

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

It was revealed via leaked emails that Feige had MJ in his original pitch for Marvel's version of Spider-Man, and he wanted to participate in MJ's casting in the event she was in the movie. That's how we know he likes the character

Did not know this!

If that's the case, I honestly feel better about her supposed inclusion, regardless of actress. Feige has a stellar track record, and is a noted Spidey fan.

 

[dkamphaus43]

It was revealed via leaked emails that Feige had MJ in his original pitch for Marvel's version of Spider-Man, and he wanted to participate in MJ's casting in the event she was in the movie. That's how we know he likes the character

Well if this is true, then I just hope he's a fan of the 616 version instead of the ultimate version. Because I have no interest in seeing ultimate MJ on the big screen.

 

[marijuanawatson]

Well if this is true, then I just hope he's a fan of the 616 version instead of the ultimate version. Because I have no interest in seeing ultimate MJ on the big screen.

I just want MJ on screen, even if it's ultimate. Though I do prefer the 616 version and want that one on screen.

 

[harryoscop]

I just want MJ on screen, even if it's ultimate. Though I do prefer the 616 version and want that one on screen.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

Ultimate MJ is just as cool as 616 imo. The two could be amalgamated pretty well.

 

[Arachnerd]

Take the best aspects of the character throughout the years and put it in a blender.

Boom, we'd get a bombastic MJ.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Well if this is true, then I just hope he's a fan of the 616 version instead of the ultimate version. Because I have no interest in seeing ultimate MJ on the big screen.

Not trying to be an @$$, but that's a really pedantic point of view. Of course we all have our favorite iterations of characters and visions of how we ultimately want to see them portrayed on film. That doesn't mean our views are the only plausible, appealing ones though. If you go into a film thinking "MJ better be JUST LIKE 616 or I will FREAKING HATE IT" then of course you'll hate it. If you go in with a more open mind, maybe "616 MJ is the best, but I'm willing to evaluate the MCU version on her own merits and see if they can evoke the spirit of the character, even if they are pulling from different sources" then you'll enjoy the movie (assuming it's well-made).

Ultimate MJ is just as cool as 616 imo. The two could be amalgamated pretty well.

This is not my first choice for the character by any stretch, but this is a really good point of view to have.

616 MJ is the best, but Ultimate MJ was a really good character too.