The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Who would be the best MJ?

[sl500jazz]

I agree that Shai could very well be a struggling model/actress. She's a tall girl with modelesque proportions. All we know from set pics is that MJ is working as a waitress like she did in the Raimi franchise. She's probably not a Supermodel or famous actress, but we don't know what her career path is yet. But I agree that throwing her into journalism would make her another Lois Lane. And having her work for Oscorp is ridiculous.

I don't think the profession itself is that important to the character as much as the look and personality. She can still be out of Peter's League without being Victoria Secret Model, but of course I would love it if they went the classic 616 route.

 

[Loki882]

Maybe she is just starting out and hasn't made it big yet. So she needs the waitress job in the meantime. She could maybe be in broadcasting, I could see MJ enjoying being paid to talk/give her opinions.

 

[Super Jim]

I believe that any profession given to MJ needs to be different from other characters. Anything to do with news causes issues since Peter's affiliations at the Bugle should be something that doesn't include MJ. Same with his interactions as Oscorp, if there will be any more. It was ok, even good I think, to have Gwen part of Oscorp, but not MJ.

I think the whole waitress thing for MJ has been overdone, and not very well. The struggling actress thing is terrible. It made MJ, a character that is supposed to be very powerful (in her own way), weak. I really don't want to see that again. Having her be some scooter riding, ripped jeans wearing, hipster will hurt the charatcer.

Why couldn't MJ be someone who has already started to make it in the city. Someone who could be a year or two older than Peter, who instead of college got her break already. This makes her powerful and strong.

There are plenty of ways to have her meet Peter. The best would be either through Gwen (since MJ and Gwen were childhood friends) or through Harry. The latter makes a lot of sense for this franchise.

Have Harry see that Peter is beyond depressed about the loss of Gwen that he tries to set Peter up with one of his girlfriend's friends (double date). Since Harry is likely to be dating rich, famous, or that type it would be easy for his girlfriend to know an up and coming model. Of course Peter would not be interested in another relationship, which would end up leading to them being friends. MJ could come off as the understanding, supportive type, which the audience would gravitate towards. By the end of 3 or 4 (depending on when Gwen dies) Peter would have enacted justice on the Goblin (it better be Norman and not Harry) and would be on the better side of the healing process, and MJ would be able to help.

 

[spund]

I really like the classic story, where MJ is the granddaughter (or niece? Can't remember) of one of aunt may's friends and Peter gets the wrong impression about her being described as having a "nice personality". I'd really like to see that "face it, tiger" line and just see him utterly dumbfounded by her hotness when he meets her (yeah I said hotness...lighten up, all you ultra sensitive PC folks lol).

There's so much room for humor going that route.....I can imagine Peter wigging out over the "nice personality" thing whenever her name is mentioned. There could maybe be a couple "almost" meetings where Pete always finds a way to weasel out of it, then when he finally meets her it's the big payoff from all the buildup and anticipation. Total opportunity for some great scenes.

 

[John Locke]

Yeah I love the classic story too. Just imagine Peter is going to dinner to meet her and he brings Flash and his girlfriend (Liz maybe?) because he doesn't want to be alone and they all are just stunned.

Also, I'm watching the It's Always Sunny episode with Alexandra Daddario and she has redish hair and she could do it if Shailene is out. Hopefully she's still in but of Divergent is as big as its looking then it doesn't sound good.

 

[Super Jim]

I believe the best way to bring MJ into the story is through Harry, as one of his girlfriend's friends. I could see him dating Felicia, who needs to be introduced, and Felicia is friends with MJ.

Harry or Felicia could describe MJ as someone with a great personality, which brings that whole aspect into play.

My only concern is how to use the "face it tiger" line without MJ coming off as stuck up and full of herself. I know it worked in the comic, but with this timeline of bringing MJ into things not too long after Gwen dies, it could go terribly wrong.

Maybe if it was Harry who says it instead of MJ, when the girls go to powder their nose. Harry could turn to Peter and say "Face it, you just hit the jackpot" line.

 

[Majik1387]

Honestly, I don't want to hear the tiger line ever.

 

[Nicko-Ray]

Honestly, I don't want to hear the tiger line ever.

I'm curious to see how they wrote it in/how she delivered that line since Shailene admitted to it being in the sequel.

 

[sl500jazz]

I believe the best way to bring MJ into the story is through Harry, as one of his girlfriend's friends. I could see him dating Felicia, who needs to be introduced, and Felicia is friends with MJ.

Harry or Felicia could describe MJ as someone with a great personality, which brings that whole aspect into play.

My only concern is how to use the "face it tiger" line without MJ coming off as stuck up and full of herself. I know it worked in the comic, but with this timeline of bringing MJ into things not too long after Gwen dies, it could go terribly wrong.

Maybe if it was Harry who says it instead of MJ, when the girls go to powder their nose. Harry could turn to Peter and say "Face it, you just hit the jackpot" line.

I'd prefer it if Aunt May brought Peter and MJ together. I think one of the more tender aspects of the comic was that the most influential woman and mother-figure in Peter Parker's life is the one that set it him up with his future wife. It was like her gift to him. She was making sure that he was taken care of after she was gone, and she was one of the few characters to see right through MJ's façade from the beginning.

I think it also adds more merit to the relationship and MJ's character if wise mother-figure Aunt May does the matchmaking rather than millionaire playboy and future villain Harry Osborn. It'll also make the audience wonder "What does this lady see in MJ that's right for Peter?"

And if anyone uses the classic line, it should be MJ. If it's done right, it should come across as playful and confident rather than stuck up.

Honestly, I don't want to hear the tiger line ever.

Awww. Why not?

I know that it's a very corny phrase (Stan Lee was trying way too hard to write "hip" teenage dialogue), but it's her signature line. She used it in Ultimate too.

I'd love it if they threw that in the movie, and the fact that Shai confirmed it probably means that they will when MJ finally does appear.

I'm curious to see how they wrote it in/how she delivered that line since Shailene admitted to it being in the sequel.

Me too. I'm sure that it worked naturally with the script.

I also hope that they give MJ a reason for giving Peter the nickname "tiger" instead of just throwing it in there.

 

[Loki882]

I like the "Tiger" line as a line of dialogue. The issue with it is that it is not something that you'd say to someone everyday. You have to come up with a situation where it would sound naturally (her surprising Peter at the door for example) or it comes off as forced and akward.

 

[Captain Croatia]

god I hate ultimate MJ...

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

god I hate ultimate MJ...

Truly, realism aside, she's not a stronger or more confident character than 616 MJ. That's for sure.

 

[SpideyFan866]

Ultimate MJ is just an updated version of 616 Gwen.

And Ultimate Gwen is an updated version of early 616 MJ.

And based on his Gwen (which seems to borrow from USM MJ) and his MJ (at least look wise), Webb knows that and is using it to his advantage.

 

[sl500jazz]

I agree that 616 Gwen and Ultimate MJ are very similar in personality. Webb gave us classic Gwen while infusing certain plot points of Ultimate MJ that work naturally with the character (goes to highschool with Peter, top student, Peter tells her his secret very early into the relationship, etc.)

However, Ultimate Gwen isn't an updated version of 616 MJ.

Gwen in the ultimate universe is a punk rock rebel with a very hot and volatile temper. She pulls a knife on a fellow student and pulls a gun on peter when he tells her he is Spider-man. Like 616 Gwen she initially hates Spider-man, and blames him for the death of her beloved father. She has issues with her mother after her father dies so she stays with Peter and May.

616 MJ is an actress/model and a seemingly shallow and flighty party girl. She's also a bit of a seductress, and has men falling at her feet, but shies away from serious relationships because of her past with her abusive father. When Gwen dies, her character evolves past the shallow facade, and she becomes the woman that Peter will eventually marry. (I hate Queseda!)

I always thought of classic MJ as being the misunderstood popular girl. The type of girl that all guys want to date and all girls want to be. Ultimate Gwen is more of an outcast or a misfit. The type of girl that rides against social norms.

All in all, two very different characters. The only thing that they have in common is the daddy/ mommy issues. Otherwise, one is an average girl with a tough and rough around the edges punk rock mean streak, and the other is an anything but average sexpot with a carefree facade. There are more similarities in Ultimate MJ's and 616 Gwen's characterization (intelligent girl next door types and Peter's first love), than there are with Ultimate Gwen and 616 MJ.

Btw, we still don't know which direction Webb is taking with the character, but based on set pics of Shai, I doubt it's punk rock Gwen.

Imo, a predominantly 616 MJ is the best move. Something that the fans would love, and a big departure from Raimi's MJ in looks and personality.

 

[WarriorDreamer]

I think that she should be characterized like Gia Carangi played by Angelina Joilie in the movie Gia. She would be edgy, sexy and raw, allowing her to be like Ultimate Gwen, but still like 616 Mary Jane and allowing some of that vulnerability to come trough. Maybe she pretends to be a sweet drama kid by day but by night she is an edgy model doing midnight photoshoots for some extra money to fund her career. No doubt fueled by the damage her father left on her in her need for attention. And Peter is the only person who can see she is damaged by her past and that's why MJ likes Peter, because he can see beyond the acts to the real person. I can really see Elena Satine or Amber Heard in that particular edgy version of MJ, although I know that's not gonna happen. I just hope Marc Webb isn't bias against the 'hot' character, because of his favoritism for Gwen.

 

[Super Jim]

I'm starting to see a trend on this thread of people agreeing that it is 616 MJ that they want. You listening Webb?

We need contrast between Emma's Gwen (a character most of us love), and MJ. The super model with men falling at her feet works. Why mess with something that works. I don't want an aspiring anything with MJ. I don't want some wannabe working at a coffee shop to get by. Make her someone who has already started to make it and have fun with that. You could have her at some club that Peter is at (taking pictures?) and some guy hitting on her. Peter walks by, she grabs him, plants a kiss on him and says something like "There you are, I've been waiting for you". in order to get the jerk to leave. Boom, you now have some playful interaction going and can work from there...

I don't care if it is Aunt May who sets them up.

I don't care if it is Harry that sets them up.

All I care is that MJ is a strong, vibrant character that is very diverse from Gwen, yet real enough on the inside that the audience will root for her.

Again, don't mess with what works!

 

[Majik1387]

I'm starting to see a trend on this thread of people agreeing that it is 616 MJ that they want. You listening Webb?

No, he's not. He's busy making awesome Spider-Man movies.

 

[PeterBenParker]

No, he's not. He's busy making awesome Spider-Man movies.

Win.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Not a MJ pick but man Taylor Momsen would've made a great Black Cat:

 

[Super Jim]

No, he's not. He's busy making awesome Spider-Man movies.

We'll see... we'll see...

My money is on Shaelene never being in any Spider-man movie. Will that bother you when it happens?

 

[flower]

My money is on Shaelene never being in any Spider-man movie. Will that bother you when it happens?

my money is on that to. Webb and co. have been avoiding to answer the question ''will she be in the sequel?'' like crazy.

 

[Majik1387]

Going by recent interview with Shailene, she's still can be asked back in the 3rd under contract.

 

[Oscorp]

my money is on that to. Webb and co. have been avoiding to answer the question ''will she be in the sequel?'' like crazy.

Because they don't know, yet. They would look stupid if they said "Yes she will!" and then she can't, or vice versa.

 

[DigificWriter]

The role, at this point, is still Shailene's. Whether or not that changes is a question that no-one can answer right now.

As for a contrast between MJ and Gwen, there's already a contrast in the characters based on what we can glean from the little we know about MJ's character and the approach Webb seems to have taken. Gwen is the smart, sexy 'popular girl' and MJ seems to be the 'girl next door'/'rebel chick'.

Re: Webb listening to what fans apparently want, that's not the way good movies are made.

 

[sl500jazz]

Because they don't know, yet. They would look stupid if they said "Yes she will!" and then she can't, or vice versa.

The role, at this point, is still Shailene's. Whether or not that changes is a question that no-one can answer right now.

Agreed. The next film is too far away for them to know. We should get a definite answer the summer/fall of 2014 after TASM2 has already hit theaters, if not a bit sooner.

As for a contrast between MJ and Gwen, there's already a contrast in the characters based on what we can glean from the little we know about MJ's character and the approach Webb seems to have taken. Gwen is the smart, sexy 'popular girl' and MJ seems to be the 'girl next door'/'rebel chick'.

Really? I thought that they toned down Emma's natural sexiness for this role. In the first film she seemed very sweet intelligent girl next door (and also pretty) 616 Gwen to me, and just because Shailene's MJ rides a bike doesn't automatically mean that she's some rebel without a cause. They both seem like nice girl next door types to me, but to each his own. We really don't know which direction Webb is taking with the character because MJ hasn't been written yet. Those scenes have been scrapped, and he/the writers could easily change that direction by the next film. The character doesn't exist.

And If intelligent, sexy, sweet, and popular Gwen vs. girl next door/ tomboy rebel MJ is what they are going for, imo making Gwen the sexier, more feminine, more intelligent, more charismatic, and sweeter character would clearly show his preference for one over the other, and MJ won't have a leg to stand on when Gwen dies. Usually, there's more balance than that. If anything MJ has more positive traits than Gwen because she's the one that Peter's supposed to end up with, and Gwen's untimely death and "first love" status instantly turns her into a martyr.

Re: Webb listening to what fans apparently want, that's not the way good movies are made.

Very true. The first two Raimi films were good movies despite having a version of MJ that was almost universally disliked by fans and general audiences alike. I think that Webb does care about the fans, ie: the new costume, Spider-Man's increased wit and sense of humor more along the lines of the comics, etc. Whether or not he listens to them all of the time: probably not.