Far From Home Zendaya IS MJ

[Loki882]

She was actually one of my favorite characters, despite the limited role. So of course I'm all for her getting more to do next time.

Also it's pretty clear that she was following Peter around because she was interested in him, and just deflecting to try and hide it.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

I didn't hate her in the movie. But, I also didn't love her. She just had a very small role in the movie. I would like to see what they can do with her in a more expanded role, though. She will never be classic MJ, true. But I am more than willing to give the character a chance when she has an actual, you know, role.

That's just it, Michelle was a character that you could edit out of the movie and there'd be no notice. I consider it a major faux pas when you take such a popular and important supporting character like MJ and reduce her to a shallow nothing. I've seen Homecoming about 5-6 times already and that "MJ" line at the end makes me cringe every single time. Forced, unnecessary...

I'm certain she's going to get a bigger 'role' in the upcoming movies however at this point I'm completely turned off by Michelle's character.

She was actually one of my favorite characters, despite the limited role. So of course I'm all for her getting more to do next time.

Also it's pretty clear that she was following Peter around because she was interested in him, and just deflecting to try and hide it.

I'm not singling you out but I've seen this type of comment before and I'm curious as to what it is exactly about her character that makes her one of your favorites?

 

[Loki882]

I just loved her attitude and how she carried herself.

 

[CaptainWagner]

She wasn't super memorable to me, but there's definitely potential there. With them looking for a new female lead, though, I don't expect her to have a much bigger part. If they do introduce Harry, maybe those two could be a couple? MJ dated Harry first in the comics, if I recall correctly.

 

[Toomes' Phone]

I definitely hope Michelle has a larger role, I loved her. She doesn't need to immediately be a love interest either, just the same sarcastic jabs at Peter with maybe some minor flirting here and there.

 

[MaceB]

That's just it, Michelle was a character that you could edit out of the movie and there'd be no notice. I consider it a major faux pas when you take such a popular and important supporting character like MJ and reduce her to a shallow nothing. I've seen Homecoming about 5-6 times already and that "MJ" line at the end makes me cringe every single time. Forced, unnecessary...

I'm certain she's going to get a bigger 'role' in the upcoming movies however at this point I'm completely turned off by Michelle's character.



I'm not singling you out but I've seen this type of comment before and I'm curious as to what it is exactly about her character that makes her one of your favorites?

You're letting your fanaticism influence your views on this one. The only reason why you feel like she didn't have enough of a role,is because of your appreciation for the original character.
Once you put your fan expectations aside, I think Michelle was one of the most funny, insightful, and relatable characters in the movie. It was well acted, her dialogue was funny, and she left me wanting more. She seemed like she could be a real match for Peter, and she doesn't need to be anything more than that. The only thing that says different is your fan expectations. You think that MJ is a fundamental side character that deserves serious attention. Marvel might disagree with you. That seems to be the source of your frustration more than anything.

 

[Blood Spider]

I do hope to see much more of her. She's got a lot of potential.

 

[Spider-Fan]

You're letting your fanaticism influence your views on this one. The only reason why you feel like she didn't have enough of a role,is because of your appreciation for the original character.
Once you put your fan expectations aside, I think Michelle was one of the most funny, insightful, and relatable characters in the movie. It was well acted, her dialogue was funny, and she left me wanting more. She seemed like she could be a real match for Peter, and she doesn't need to be anything more than that. The only thing that says different is your fan expectations. You think that MJ is a fundamental side character that deserves serious attention. Marvel might disagree with you. That seems to be the source of your frustration more than anything.

It was always clear to me she was not going to be a major character in Homecoming. But, I don't think the MJ name drop was accidental. I think the plan was always for having her be a major factor in the sequel and use this just as an introduction.

 

[MaceB]

It was always clear to me she was not going to be a major character in Homecoming. But, I don't think the MJ name drop was accidental. I think the plan was always for having her be a major factor in the sequel and use this just as an introduction.

I'm sure she'll have a stronger supporting role akin to Ned.. but nothing more than that I'd imagine. She'll be the love interest, sure, and they might even delve into her troubled past... but I hope that's it. We didn't get into Ned's fears.. his motivations... where he comes from. I imagine MJ will be the same. She's there to serve Peter's character... which might be the main reason they didn't want to weigh Michelle down with all the typical MJ character attributes. MJ may be an important character to comic book fans.. but to regulars, she's a typical love interest. No more than Pepper Potts, Christine Palmer, etc.

 

[Web-Head]

Yeah, but one of my biggest gripes with Homecoming IS the supporting cast. Ned was fine for what he was but Liz, Michelle, Flash, etc? Meh. If none of them were coming back I wouldn't bat an eye.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

You're letting your fanaticism influence your views on this one. The only reason why you feel like she didn't have enough of a role,is because of your appreciation for the original character.
Once you put your fan expectations aside, I think Michelle was one of the most funny, insightful, and relatable characters in the movie. It was well acted, her dialogue was funny, and she left me wanting more. She seemed like she could be a real match for Peter, and she doesn't need to be anything more than that. The only thing that says different is your fan expectations. You think that MJ is a fundamental side character that deserves serious attention. Marvel might disagree with you. That seems to be the source of your frustration more than anything.

I most certainly do have a level of expectation for a character like MJ because of her history and because of the importance she does have in the mythos. I don't find it agreeable that they'd downplay her importance by reinventing the character to the point where there's little to no semblance. I get that to you, someone who is largely unfamiliar with MJ, or just the average movie-goer, it's probably not going to matter and all you're going to care about is whether or not Michelle is a good character and whether, assuming she's a love interest, is a good match for the protagonist. And my frustration stems from the fact that Marvel or whomever has this wonderful character sitting on the page, ready-to go, with maybe only a modern update needed to complete a transition to film; yet they decide that they need to reinvent the character so much she's not even recognizable. My wife, a casual movie-goer, was even put off by the MJ line at the end of Homecoming. But, whatever.

Let's just pretend that Michelle is a brand new character, I did not find her funny, insightful and definitely not relatable. There was nothing substantial about her. Nothing to root for...she was just...there. Liz was a much better developed character and easily is a better match for Peter over Michelle. That may change in the sequel however, I'm only going by her presentation in Homecoming.

 

[Marvel united]

My least favorite part of Homecoming unfortunately. Still don't get why they had to call her MJ

 

[MaceB]

Let's just pretend that Michelle is a brand new character, I did not find her funny, insightful and definitely not relatable. There was nothing substantial about her. Nothing to root for...she was just...there. Liz was a much better developed character and easily is a better match for Peter over Michelle. That may change in the sequel however, I'm only going by her presentation in Homecoming.

I have to disagree with you there. She was definitely funny.. her quips about losers and "why are you at this party?" stuff was as quirky and laughable as anything in the MCU in my mind. The jokes didn't fall flat for me.
Insightful - drawing characters in crisis, and hinting that she knows Peter has a double life.. he's hiding something. The dialogue about the Washington monument being made by slaves.. etc.
Relatable - she is a very relatable character. She's a confused teenager who is alienated from her peers, but trying to find herself. That's probably 90% of students today. You may like MJ Proper more, but she is someone who is almost perfect on the outside while being troubled on the inside. That's not the norm. It's much more relatable that a quirky, smart, introverted girl with a hitch on her shoulder would connect with Peter - a nerdy, scrawny, unpopular kid who's more than meets the eye. There is a lot of depth to MJ proper... sure... but just at first glance, Michelle is much more digestible to the average individual.

As far as we can tell, Liz really values intelligence and being successful.. so maybe she's attracted to Peter because of his obvious intelligence. Aside from that though, that's pretty much it. Peter likes her because she's pretty; Liz likes him because he's smart. Michelle, on the other hand, knows what it's like to be the outcast... to do good but not be accepted...to have outside hobbies and interests that other people don't get. She's a far better character than Liz.

 

[Iceman]

It was always clear to me she was not going to be a major character in Homecoming. But, I don't think the MJ name drop was accidental. I think the plan was always for having her be a major factor in the sequel and use this just as an introduction.

With that name drop surely she will go on to become a main character.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah, but one of my biggest gripes with Homecoming IS the supporting cast. Ned was fine for what he was but Liz, Michelle, Flash, etc? Meh. If none of them were coming back I wouldn't bat an eye.

Yeah, unmemorable high school supporting cast aside from Ned.

 

[PeterBenParker]

If they were to cut this MJ out of the series, nothing of substance would be lost.

 

[ehh]

Ned is awesome, and there is a lot of growth potential for Flash and Michelle in future films.

Liz would likely not return anyway since she was a senior and moved away to Oregon.

 

[SP1D3YTHW1P]

Am I the only one who REALLY wants to see her become more of here classic counterpart? There's room for growth. You can't deny that she doesn't look like MJ because she clearly does.

 

[PeterBenParker]

I was all for Zendaya being Mary Jane Watson when she was first announced to be part of Homecoming. I'm not for whoever this Michelle is supposed to be, so seeing Michelle become more like Mary Jane would do absolutely nothing for me and would just make me wish we'd be seeing Mary Jane.

Just my two cents.

 

[Web-Head]

Yeah, unmemorable high school supporting cast aside from Ned.

Which is disappointing because one of the reasons I'm such a huge Spider-Man fan is his supporting cast. Harry, Gwen, MJ, J. Jonah, etc. It was even worse after seeing Black Panther and how much the supporting cast in that shined.

If they were to cut this MJ out of the series, nothing of substance would be lost.

Assuming MJ is Michelle, then I'd agree so far. She didn't add anything to Homecoming other than some witty remarks and humor. If they can develop her in the next couple of films then we'll see.

Am I the only one who REALLY wants to see her become more of here classic counterpart? There's room for growth. You can't deny that she doesn't look like MJ because she clearly does.

I wouldn't have been totally against that but they seemed to go out of their way to make Zendaya less attractive and if they're gonna go the whole "transformation" route then

 

[MaceB]

I don't think they need to make her more like Mary Jane proper. She can serve all the same functions as the original just the way she is. Michelle can come from a bad childhood. She can wear a mask that hides her true feelings just like Peter wears his. She can serve just as good of a foil to Peter as the original.

And yeah... she can grow into a redheaded, fashion obsessed supermodel... if that's important to people. It certainly isn't to me. Despite the good efforts of posters on this board, I've never understood what makes MJ and Peter a good match. They have nothing in common. Homecoming fixed that; Michelle and Peter have lots in common that could make for a very compatible, very natural relationship. I don't think the same is true with the original. It's always felt forced to me.

 

[Neptune]

The actress was ok i guess but i don't see the point in calling her MJ when she doesn't look or act like Mary Jane at all. You basicly just pointed out some of the most important things Pete and MJ have in common. Traumatic childhoods and hiding their true selves underneath a facade. I think they compliment eachother quite nicely.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Hated the character. Zendaya is hot but deserved better for a character. In some ways, she would've made a better Liz Allen than the girl they used.

If they make her somehow Mary Jane Watson, I'm out. I hope she's used minimally in the sequel. As Ultimate Webhead said, if someone deleted her out of the final edit, you could hardly tell she was there. Her character was annoying, popped up out of nowhere and didn't really serve a story purpose at all.

 

[SP1D3YTHW1P]

Hated the character. Zendaya is hot but deserved better for a character. In some ways, she would've made a better Liz Allen than the girl they used.

If they make her somehow Mary Jane Watson, I'm out. I hope she's used minimally in the sequel. As Ultimate Webhead said, if someone deleted her out of the final edit, you could hardly tell she was there. Her character was annoying, popped up out of nowhere and didn't really serve a story purpose at all.

1 She's confirmed to have a bigger role in the sequel

2 Ally Reynolds from Breakfast Club kinda supports the theory that she does become Mary Jane

 

[Boom]

She didn't leave enough of an impression for me to like or dislike her at this point. It's not like she was given anything meaningful to do in Homecoming.