With Tom Holland’sSpider-Man 4moving forward, I hope Zendaya’s MJ is not in theMarvel Cinematic Universemovie for a very simple story reason. MJ’s role inHolland’s Spider-Man moviesis very important. The character was more closed-off inSpider-Man: Homecoming, while the next two Spider-Man movies slowly saw her and Holland’s Peter Parker fall in love and enter a relationship. I enjoyed how the romance between the two played out and think MJ isthe second-best Spider-Man romantic interest in live-action, behind Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy from Andrew Garfield’sThe Amazing Spider-Manmovie franchise.
Spider-Man 4’s MCU Crossover Character Just Got Two Likely Candidates After Latest Major Update
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 has received its biggest update in years, and the movie now has two likely MCU candidates to play key roles in the story.
However, I’m convinced that it is time for the MCU Spider-Man franchise to move in a different direction. After a long time with few updates due to delays caused by 2023’s Hollywood strikes, theMCU’sSpider-Man 4is finally moving forward.The project is reportedly aiming to go before cameras in early 2025, which would position the next Spider-Man movie to arrive in 2026, five years afterSpider-Man: No Way Home. That film set up a possible new chapter of the franchise forSpider-Man 4director Destin Daniel Crettonto explore, and I don’t think Zendaya’s MJ fits with it.
Zendaya Is Reportedly Coming Back As MJ
No Spider-Man 4 Story Details Have Been Revealed
So far,Spider-Man 4’s cast has yet to be announced. Since the plan is for the movie to start filming in early 2025, casting reports are expected to arrive from now until the end of the year. One of the revealed stars of the film should be Zendaya, returning to the MCU franchise as MJ. When reporting on Destin Daniel Cretton being chosen to helmSpider-Man 4,Deadlinerevealed thatdeals are being closed for Tom Holland to return as Spider-Man and Zendaya to return as MJ. According toDeadline, both stars have been part ofSpider-Man 4’s development process.
The star has shown in multiple roles that she is the real deal, with Euphoria and Dune: Part Two being great examples of Zendaya’s range.
Based on the report,the announcement that Zendaya’s MJ will be inSpider-Man 4seems like only a matter of time. While I have enjoyed her role in the MCU so far, I don’t think the star returning for this new chapter of the Spider-Man franchise is the best choice. That thought has nothing to do with Zendaya’s acting ability. The star has shown in multiple roles that she is the real deal, withEuphoriaandDune: Part Twobeing great examples of Zendaya’s range. I simply don’t want to see MJ come back inSpider-Man 4for story reasons.
I Believe Zendaya’s Return Hurts Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Ending
The Movie Set Up A New Version Of The Spider-Man Franchise
The main reason I don’t think Zendaya should come back as MJ inSpider-Man 4is because it would go againstSpider-Man: No Way Home’s poignant ending. That movie had one of the most tragic finales out of all Spider-Man movies and the MCU alike. Doctor Strange’s spell made everyone who knew that Peter Parker was Spider-Man go back to their respective universes, makingall characters forget who Peter Parker was. I was heartbroken to see Holland’s Peter alone, with Zendaya’s MJ, Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds, and Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan not remembering him.
Spider-Man 4 will be the first MCU Spider-Man movie not to be released two years after the last.
Peter told MJ that he would reveal everything to her after Doctor Strange’s spell and make her remember him. However, upon seeing her happy with her life and noticing she had a bruise fromSpider-Man: No Way Home’s final battle, the hero decides not to tell her or Ned to keep them safe. That is the most Spider-Man-like choice I believe Peter Parker could have made in that situation. Going intoSpider-Man 4, Aunt May is dead, no one remembers who he is, and Peter lives alone in a small apartment, beingat his lowest in the MCU.
However, Zendaya’s return as MJ inSpider-Man 4would undo that. I want to see the MCU fully explore what this new reality could look like for Peter Parker. With MJ there, Peter would not be able to move on, nor would the franchise itself.Spider-Man: No Way Home’s ending was so emotionally charged in huge part because it seemed to put a final point to that version of the franchise.Peter made an extremely difficult sacrifice by letting MJ go, but it does not seem like the MCU is ready to make that same decision.
I Want To See The MCU Adapt Other Spider-Man Love Interests
There Are Many Characters Who Deserve Their Time To Shine
I thoughtSpider-Man: No Way Homeset up the perfect opportunity for the MCU to explore some of the other romances Peter Parker has had throughout his Marvel Comics history. After learning of Gwen Stacy through Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, the character would be an interesting one to see pop up inSpider-Man 4. After all,Gwen and Peter first met in college in the comics, which could be how they come together in the MCU. Another major love interestSpider-Man 4could use is Black Cat, who I think would be perfect for the film.
The reason for that has to do with Peter’s decision not to tell MJ about their past. He did not do it because he wanted her to be safe. Well,Black Cat lives the same dangerous life that Spider-Man doesand walks out just fine. As such, I think Felicia Hardy could be the love interest that best matches Peter Parker in his current situation. With the X-Men’s MCU reboot looming, Kitty Pryde could debut inSpider-Man 4, striking a romance with Peter and setting up her future adventures. Characters like Silk and Silver Sable would also be interesting.
I Think Zendaya’s Return As MJ Should Happen Later In The MCU
The Character Just Needs A Leave Of Absence
While I don’t think MJ being inSpider-Man 4is a great choice, I would love to see Zendaya’s character come back to the franchise down the line. I don’t have any problems with MJ, asthe MCU built a beautiful relationship between her and Peter Parker. However, the impact ofSpider-Man: No Way Home’s big decision about that relationship needs to be felt, and only MJ’s absence can verify that it works out the best it can. After letting the fallout fromSpider-Man: No Way Home’s ending play its role, Zendaya’s MJ could return later in the franchise.
I think Peter and MJ getting back into each other’s lives inSpider-Man 5andslowly finding their way back together inSpider-Man 6would be the ideal continuation of their romance if Tom Holland gets another Spider-Man trilogy. As it stands, I hope that Zendaya’s return as MJ inSpider-Man 4will be in a smaller role, perhaps with Peter making another trip to the donut shop she was last seen working at or the two meeting in another situation.
Spider-Man 4
Cast
Spider-Man 4 is the first sequel to the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as the titular wall-crawler. After wiping his identity for the public’s memory in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues his crime-fighting adventures without the aid of Iron Man technology or the support of his former allies.
