Far From Home Zendaya IS MJ

[Zant]

They've already introduced MJ. They aren't going to introduce her again. Best to start dealing with that.

I agree. Zendaya is their version of MJ. I hope Marvel does not get scared and backtracks because of some fan backlash,like they did with the Iron Man 3 Mandarin thing.

 

[Arachnerd]

You call the Mandarin one-shot response to "backlash"? It amounts to nothing since they'll never use the character again.

 

[Zant]

You call the Mandarin one-shot response to "backlash"? It amounts to nothing since they'll never use the character again.

Its was a pretty obvious response to the backlash, to keep fans happy at the time and give them hope. It does not really matter now.

 

[Arachnerd]

It's false hope still. The chances of the actual character appearing anywhere in the MCU, let alone the Netflix shows, is slim to none.

It was a backhanded apology, they didn't 'give in' to anything.

 

[NHawk19]

Given what Zendaya went through in the promotions leading up to SM:HC and the online backlash they may abandon it. Even though there was a clear setup for her to date Pete in the future.

A lot of where Pete is after IFW will play into this as well.

 

[QWoods]

I’m thinking that when she starts her acting career that she changes her name to Mary Jane Watson as sort of a stage name. OR she gets caught with marijuana at school and everyone starts calling her Mary Jane and it sticks lol

 

[Boy Scout]

You know, pretty much all of these theories and propositions - even the ones I think are relatively sound - just highlight the awkwardness of not just allowing Zendaya to play Mary Jane proper if that’s who she’s supposed to be.

 

[The Infernal]

She's not though. Feige already said that. She's an original character. Which just makes the MJ thing weird and awkward. Hopefully they just drop that nonsense and do something interesting with her.

 

[Boy Scout]

Right, but then why even call her “MJ?” That wasn’t an accident. And she’s obviously interested in Peter in some way, so it’s likely that she’ll have a relatively large role in the story going forward, which is what you’d expect from “MJ.” Even if there are no plans to introduce the “real” Mary Jane any time soon (if ever), I think giving her those initials was an odd decision.

It’s the equivalent of casting a woman to play a Kryptonian in a Superman film and calling her Kara, but refusing to acknowledge her as Supergirl or even just Superman’s cousin.

 

[The Infernal]

It is weird. I think a writer said he intended her to be MJ, but Feige and co. didn't go with it. Yet that monent is in the movie.

The Supergirl comparison would be more accurate if she were given the name Kara, but had nothing else in common with the Supergirl character. There isn't any real crossover between Michelle and Mary Jane outside of her initials and possible romantic interest in future movies.

I'm also worried about what they may do to Gwen in the sequel if the rumours are true and that she may be European. I mean where does that leave George Stacy who's a cop? It's stupid just just to switch up things because you can. It messes with the mythology, alienates fans and possibly confuse anyone new. The way they have handled the supporting cast so far has been mixed at best as far as I can see. They've not even introduced Harry or Norman Osborn either.

 

[Boy Scout]

It is weird. I think a writer said he intended her to be MJ, but Feige and co. didn't go with it. Yet that monent is in the movie.

Yeah, I dunno what they’re gonna do about this. I’m not particularly worried, but you have to admit that this was an easy “problem” to avoid.

The Supergirl comparison would be more accurate if she were given the name Kara, but had nothing else in common with the Supergirl character. There isn't any real crossover between Michelle and Mary Jane outside of her initials and possible romantic interest in future movies.

Eh, I think it works.

I'm also worried about what they may do to Gwen in the sequel if the rumours are true and that she may be European. I mean where does that leave George Stacy who's a cop? It's stupid just just to switch up things because you can. It messes with the mythology, alienates fans and possibly confuse anyone new. The way they have handled the supporting cast so far has been mixed at best as far as I can see. They've not even introduced Harry or Norman Osborn either.

I think Spider-Man will prove to be their most controversial (and I use that word very loosely) franchise.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

You know, pretty much all of these theories and propositions - even the ones I think are relatively sound - just highlight the awkwardness of not just allowing Zendaya to play Mary Jane proper if that’s who she’s supposed to be.

Why? Zendaya playing herself is pretty much Mary Jane.

 

[Boy Scout]

Why? Zendaya playing herself is pretty much Mary Jane.

Why would it be awkward? Because if she’s going to eventually take on the name Mary Jane in some way, then she should’ve just been Mary Jane from the start. The acquisition of that name shouldn’t be a plot point.

And Zendaya doesn’t have to play herself to be Mary Jane. I’m sure the character differs from her in many ways. And even if they are very similar - so what? It just means that she’d do a fantastic job.

 

[X Knight]

I still think they should have gone the Hannah Montana route where frumpy, dour "Michelle" is her disguise at school so she can try to fit in and have a normal life.

her other life is as teen model/actress Mary Jane "MJ" Watson, where she's more like glamorous Zendaya in real life.

that would have allowed them to stay truer to the character of MJ, while adding a new "twist" to the character ( Michelle disguise ), even if I don't think all that convoluted twist is needed.

still would have been better than the situation they are in now. is she or isn't she actually the real MJ?

either do it or don't.

 

[WarriorDreamer]

I didn't get the whole Zendaya- Michelle-MJ- whatever thing at-all. Introduce a new character or just use an established one. Heck, even make her Deborah Whitman if you must. I can't see how anyone would be happy with her as Mary Jane.

Also, I didn't get what was up with Betty Brant. Why hire a young actress and dress her up to be the spitting image of Gwen Stacy only to call her Betty Brant? Since when has Peter gone to school with Betty anyway??

 

[Poppy]

There is this channel on Youtube called "Amazing Spider man" which explained through several videos that we won't get Mary Jane in the MCU because "Sony doesn't want to pay Marvel's royalty" so instead of bringing characters like Harry and MJ we get Michelle and Ned.

It's a mess but I still think that it makes sense.

 

[ludovica]

There is this channel on Youtube called "Amazing Spider man" which explained through several videos that we won't get Mary Jane in the MCU because "Sony doesn't want to pay Marvel's royalty" so instead of bringing characters like Harry and MJ we get Michelle and Ned.

It's a mess but I still think that it makes sense.

Why would they have to pay when they (Sony) have the cinematographic rights? It doesn't make sense at all.

 

[ludovica]

I'm also worried about what they may do to Gwen in the sequel if the rumours are true and that she may be European. I mean where does that leave George Stacy who's a cop?

There are cops in Europe too, you know?

 

[Poppy]

Why would they have to pay when they (Sony) have the cinematographic rights? It doesn't make sense at all.

They would have to pay royalty to Marvel because Marvel owned those characters and not only their movie rights.

Definition: A royalty is a payment made by one party, the licensee or franchisee to another that owns a particular asset, the licensor or franchisor for the right to ongoing use of that asset.

What he said in one of his videos: "Sony Picture does not want to use original characters in any Marvel Studios films. Because if they started using them,[…] then guess who receives loyalty to those characters? Marvel Studios. Which is why they have this mixing match (of characters) which has never really done before."

That would explain why Michelle is the female lead of this franchise. Since Sony 'created' this character, they wouldn't have to pay Marvel royalty.

 

[ludovica]

They would have to pay royalty to Marvel because Marvel owned those characters and not only their movie rights.

Definition: A royalty is a payment made by one party, the licensee or franchisee to another that owns a particular asset, the licensor or franchisor for the right to ongoing use of that asset.

What he said in one of his videos: "Sony Picture does not want to use original characters in any Marvel Studios films. Because if they started using them,[…] then guess who receives loyalty to those characters? Marvel Studios. Which is why they have this mixing match (of characters) which has never really done before."

That would explain why Michelle is the female lead of this franchise. Since Sony 'created' this character, they wouldn't have to pay Marvel royalty.

What about all the other characters?
Aunt May, Ned Leeds, Vulture, Shocker, Aaron Davis(!)... Iron Man...
But MJ or the Osborne are too much?
It does make no sense. Sorry, but it's total unadulterated BS that guy is telling.

 

[Marvel united]

They would have to pay royalty to Marvel because Marvel owned those characters and not only their movie rights.

Definition: A royalty is a payment made by one party, the licensee or franchisee to another that owns a particular asset, the licensor or franchisor for the right to ongoing use of that asset.

What he said in one of his videos: "Sony Picture does not want to use original characters in any Marvel Studios films. Because if they started using them,[…] then guess who receives loyalty to those characters? Marvel Studios. Which is why they have this mixing match (of characters) which has never really done before."

That would explain why Michelle is the female lead of this franchise. Since Sony 'created' this character, they wouldn't have to pay Marvel royalty.

That still doesn't make much sense. Sony own the rights to these characters. Homecoming was a Sony production. Why would they have to pay Marvel royalties now, all of a sudden? Especially with Marvel actually involved. If Marvel wanted a comic accurate MJ, they would have made one.

This guy was also saying we're not getting any A-list (Goblin, Ock, Venom, etc) or famous b-list Spidey villains in this franchise because of this "royalities" issue

 

[random_havoc]

i hate it with a fiery passion. Might as well have spit on the comics character.

 

[ironwez20]

What about all the other characters?
Aunt May, Ned Leeds, Vulture, Shocker, Aaron Davis(!)... Iron Man...
But MJ or the Osborne are too much?
It does make no sense. Sorry, but it's total unadulterated BS that guy is telling.

Yea that is a head scratcher. They cared more about ned leedsthen MJ? Yea right.

 

[Loki882]

I mean Zendaya is pretty "glamorous" in real life (she does modeling for example, and she seems fairly charismatic and charming from what I've seen of her). It's why it was a surprise to some that she was playing a character like "Michelle." So if they want to make her more like traditional Mary Jane, all they have to do is have her start acting/dressing more like her normal self, and come up with an in-story reason for it Not hard really.

I do agree that making a big thing about the "MJ" reveal only to then introduce another MJ makes little sense at this point.

 

[The Infernal]

There are cops in Europe too, you know?

I live there. I dunno sometimes. j/k

Anyways. I wrote that before it was rumoured that the sequel could go abroad. Either way I'm not fond of just switching characters nationalities etc all the time just because you can. They should learn not to mess with things so much given how much of a mixed bag the supporting cast were in Homecoming.