Ok I’ve thought a lot about how MJ could possibly be used in this franchise, and here’s what I’ve come up with so far: A lot of this depends on whether or not Gwen Stacy lives through TASM2, but I think that there is a good chance that she will. Some of this also depends on whether or not Harry Osborn will be implicated as the Goblin or Gwen’s killer. This is a long post so bear with me. I wasn't sure where else to post it other than the MJ thread. Just spit-balling some ideas.
- So… Considering that Webb’s Harry has been described as a “womanizer”, I’d imagine that he’s a bit shallow when it comes to relationships. Maybe he tells Peter how infatuated he is with this model (or aspiring actress) that just moved to NYC whom he met from a friend that works in the industry. He describes her as the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and tells Peter that he’s gonna marry her someday: to which Peter laughs/rolls eyes knowing the real Harry. He never reveals the name of this mysterious woman.
- Meanwhile, May is trying to convince Peter to meet with Anna Watson’s niece (described as a sweet girl who just moved into the city and is having a difficult time finding her way around). Peter refuses, thinking that his Aunt is trying to force this other girl on him when he is already in a relationship with Gwen. He avoids the subject. Aunt May and maybe even Gwen convince him to meet the girl. Aunt May invites Anna Watson and her niece to dinner. Maybe Peter misses the first time because of something related to Spider-man. Aunt May is pissed, and is forced to reschedule.
- On one occasion, Peter runs to the drug store/supermarket to pick up something for May. A beautiful redhead approaches him to ask him a question, mistakenly thinking that he works there. Perceiving her to be some airhead, he responds in a typical Peter Parker fashion. She retorts in typical MJ fashion. He hears/sees a song playing on her iPod (this Spider-Man constantly walks around listening to music, 616 MJ owns a nightclub –it wouldn’t be a stretch to have them connect through music). Maybe he criticizes her taste in music. Maybe she does the same to him (MJ can be pretty feisty). There’s some witty banter between the two, and a lot of friction (kind of like When Harry met Sally), but the audience can feel some chemistry. They part ways. He doesn't get her name.
- The day finally comes when Peter is set to meet Mary Jane. Maybe May surprises him, and has her show up when he’s not expecting it. He opens the door and is shocked. “Hold on. You’re Mary Jane Watson?” (He’s surprised to see that the girl that he spoke with in the supermarket, was the same “sweet girl” that his aunt wanted him to meet.) “Face it Tiger, you just hit the Jackpot!” (Changes the context of the line in this scenario. She’s clearly being humorous based upon their initial encounter, and he’s clearly just shocked about such a coincidence).
- The dinner goes well. Anna and May head to the kitchen, and Peter and MJ are left alone. Anna and May talk about MJ’s father and the death of MJ’s mother. The audience gets a little insight into her past. Meanwhile, Peter and MJ laugh about their little argument in the supermarket. They both reveal to each other that they had been avoiding the meeting because they were under the impression that their Aunts were trying to set them up. They are both involved with other people and not interested (rids the film of any love triangle). Peter talks about how serious he has gotten with Gwen. MJ says she’s not about serious relationships, life is too much fun to be taken so seriously. She says that she’s been dating the prince of a corporate empire, and that she adores him because he likes to party, and wine and dines her (again shallow reasons). She asks if Peter’s ever heard of him: Harry Osborn. The connection is made!They eventually make plans to all meet up. Idk, what will happen to Flash in TASM2, but maybe by TASM3 they’ll develop into good friends. Maybe we’ll have the whole gang together. Either way, Gwen and MJ seem to get along just fine.
- Anyway, so far Gwen and Peter seem to have this “perfect” relationship, but I doubt that is going to last forever. If she makes it to TASM3, I expect there to be a lot of conflict and strain on their relationship (as usual) related to Peter Parker being Spider-man. It would just be unrealistic if that wasn’t explored. Idk, maybe the constant stress and demanding lifestyle has finally taken its toll on Gwen. Maybe May and Harry see the conflict between them and try to convince Peter to end the relationship or to take a break. Maybe (despite the flightiness) the only truly supportive and optimistic person is Mary Jane.
- One night, Harry and MJ decide to go check out a new nightclub in NYC that’s gotten a lot of hype (Harry has connections to get them in), and they invite Peter and Gwen. When they receive the call, Peter and Gwen had just gotten into an argument that almost ended the relationship. They convince Peter to join them, but Gwen refuses. Peter, MJ, Harry, (and maybe Flash) check out the club. Once there, MJ comes to life more than ever (the audience can really tell that she relishes in that kind of scene). MJ gets a lot of attention from the men at the club and she loves it. Harry becomes increasingly jealous as the night progresses. Peter is at first very reserved (he’s really out of his comfort zone), but MJ manages to pull him out of his shell. They have a great time.
- Meanwhile, Gwen- feeling guilty- calls Peter in an attempt to patch things up with their relationship. He misses the call. The night progresses. As she’s looking through bits of information on the internet, she pieces together something HUGE that is not revealed to the audience (maybe some diabolical plan of Oscorp that will culminate in the fourth film-sinister six?). She calls Peter, and again he misses the call. She’s annoyed. She decides to head off to Oscorp to gather more information (Webb has already characterized Gwen as being the more proactive type of girlfriend, someone who tries to help the superhero as much as she can, even if it means putting herself in dangerous situations)… and well, she gets herself into trouble.
- The fun night ends on a sour note. Maybe a battle ensues between Peter and a secondary villain (like Rhino) at the club. Everyone rushes out, and Harry and MJ look everywhere for Peter after they "lose track of him" in the chaotic frenzy. Once the battle is over and Harry and MJ "find" Peter (who may have been taking snapshots for the Bugle), they leave. Harry who is clearly very drunk or high (he always had a substance abuse problem in the original comics) and still jealous makes some very snide remarks to MJ on the way back. She brushes it off, pointing out that he is too drunk to even know what he is saying. Harry responds by making a joke about MJ’s alcoholic and abusive father. MJ (who’s clearly very upset) tells the limousine driver to stop. She exits the vehicle and proceeds to hail a cab. Harry doesn’t seem to care. Peter asks if she is okay, and offers to go with her. She acts as if she is fine, again spewing some nonsense about not taking things like that too seriously, and claims that she was only interested in Harry for his money and connections anyway (the audience can see right through this). She urges Peter to stay with Harry, which he does. MJ enters the cab and tears come to her eyes. She desperately tries to suppress them.
- Harry passes out and Peter helps lift him up to his room. He then notices the missed calls. He tries to call Gwen back, she doesn’t answer. He listens to her voicemails, discovers her location, rushes to Oscorp, the final battle ensues…and ultimately tragedy.
- Without notice, Peter doesn’t return home for several hours/days (possibly trying to hunt down the person that killed Gwen). After hearing about Gwen’s death, May is distraught, thinking that something may have happened to Peter as well. MJ and Anna are there to comfort her. When Peter finally returns home, May doesn’t know whether to scold him for his long absence and complete lack consideration, or to hug him like she never hugged him before…it is clear that she is relieved. Peter is a zombie-completely listless and devoid of any emotion. He goes up to his room, and MJ is there looking at a picture of Gwen. When he enters, she says everything/anything that she can possibly think of to comfort him and cheer him up. He tells her to shut up and to leave. She refuses. He then unleashes on her (after all, the night that Gwen died was also the night that he chose to be with MJ and Harry), questioning her ability to care about anyone or anything – to ever be serious. “You wouldn’t even care if your own mother died!”. MJ is left speechless. She grabs her things to leave (just as she had exited the limousine the other night), but this time something different happens. She hesitates as she approaches the door. She looks back at a devastated Peter, a tear rolls down her cheek, and she makes the decision to stay- finally accepting responsibility.
- After this TASM4 is open to explore how Peter handles the loss of Gwen Stacy, Harry handles his substance abuse(or goes off the deep end), and the growth of Peter and MJ's friendship is explored. Maybe it is revealed that she knows his secret. Notice I said friendship though. I doubt this franchise will ever explore a romantic relationship between the two. Maybe hinting at an attraction here and there (that both characters are unaware of and/or deny), but nothing more. Otherwise, the romance is bound to feel rushed.
