Home Comics & Toys Spider-Man Homecoming has found its Mary-Jane

Spider-Man Homecoming has found its Mary-Jane

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Even though comic book movies have realised that they don’t have to be completely beholden to the source material to actually craft a compelling story, it still helps for that genre to include a few classic nods to their inspiration. Take Spider-Man for instance. Change what you want about Spidey, but a film that is devoid of any light-hearted fun, clever quips and Willem DaFoe (HAHAHAHAHAHIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSS) just doesn’t make sense. That’s how we ended up with Spider-Man 3 anyway.

Also possibly necessary? The love of Peter Parker’s life, Gwen Stacy oh wait hang on Mary Jane Watson. The greatest villain that Tobey Maguire faced in his own trilogy and absent for a better love story in Andrew Garfield’s pair of web-slinging flicks as Emma Stone stepped in as Gwen Stacy. But for Tom Holland’s first solo outing as Spider-Man? It looks like he’ll be swinging for the jackpot tiger, as Zendaya (I’ve checked, I couldn’t find a last name which suits me fine because I hate actors who insist on three-name billing) us being tipped to play the iconic redhead.

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That’s according to TheWrap and their sources, who revealed that the key role that Zendaya was cast in months ago when Spider-Man: Homecoming began filming was that of Mary-Jane Watson. It’s a move that has naturally stoked the fires of that side of the internet, because how dare anyone cast a person of mixed-race heritage in the role of someone who is portrayed as a caucasian redhead in a movie about a person who was bitten by a radioactive spider and spends his afternoons trading blows with a recently-revived super-soldier from World War Two.

How dare they, the angry little people ask.

Anyway, I’m not casting any doubt on Znedaya’s casting here, as Sony and Marvel have been on a roll as of late with their plans to restore the webhead back to glory after two middling films failed to do so. Spider-Man: Homecoming is out next year on July 7, and also stars Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton, Bokeem Woodbine, Donald Glover,Hannibal Buress, Abraham Attah, Martin Starr, Tony Revolori, Michael Barbieri, and Angourie Rice.

Last Updated: August 19, 2016

26 Comments

  1. “Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman”

    Reply

    • HairyEwok

      August 19, 2016 at 08:44

      Even her name, middlename and surname screams comic book character.

      Reply

  2. HairyEwok

    August 19, 2016 at 08:46

    I wonder if they’ll stick to the comic book characters appearance and give her green eyes and red hair.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      August 19, 2016 at 08:48

      Also freckles

      Reply

      • The Order of the Banana

        August 20, 2016 at 10:38

        Freckles are the mark of the devil! *Looks at Rincey!

        Reply

  3. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    August 19, 2016 at 08:48

    Can’t see any problem with this, Her first and only movie was Pixie Hollow Games. a half-hour television special and Sony movies knows what they’re doing…….

    Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      August 19, 2016 at 09:47

      So portfolio, much experience, wow.

      Reply

  4. Matthew Holliday

    August 19, 2016 at 09:45

    But Mary Jane is as established a character as any superhero is in the Marvel universe.
    The red hair and all that shiz is part of her character, the way she looks is part of what made her Mary Jane.
    This chick just isnt Mary Jane.
    Its a diversity pick for the sake of quieting critics.
    That annoys me.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      August 19, 2016 at 09:51

      What are your thoughts on Dr Strange not being asian?

      Reply

      • BakedBagel

        August 19, 2016 at 10:03

        I read an article, could have been here, but maybe you can shed some light :D?

        I read that the Black Panther was the richest superhero in the Marvel Universe. I honestly thought it was Stark.

        Random question i know but i need answers :'(, and you seem pretty clued up on the Comic book universe :D?

        Reply

        • Pariah

          August 19, 2016 at 10:17

          There is no direct mention I can find (I did have to look this up) about the wealth of Black Panther. He’s a king, sure, and the nation he rules over is super technologically advanced. But no mention of their wealth.

          Reply

        • The D

          August 19, 2016 at 10:26

          It’s kind of tricky right now, with Secret Wars having wrapped up. I think as a sovereign head of state that has access to the only supply of Vibranium in the world, Black Panther would have a huge net worth.

          Before he left for the Omniverse, Reed Richards also had a personal value in the billions due to all of his patents, while Tony Stark has rebuilt his Stark Industries company into a powerhouse again after he wrapped up the Stark International incident.

          Then you’ve also got Spider-Man with Parker Industries, which may not make a ton of money for the webhead but also provides him with billion-dollar equipment.

          Victor Von Doom is sitting on a fortune in art, real estate, and other assorted assets that are rumoured to have a gross GDP similar to Serbia.

          And let’s not forget Namor! Before he died, he had access to countless shipwrecks and treasures, which he used to finance his Oracle company in the 1990s to staggering success.

          Tip of the iceberg really.

          Reply

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 19, 2016 at 10:31

            tl;dr “not personally, but technically yes”

          • BakedBagel

            August 19, 2016 at 10:31

            Holy shit, its alot more indepth than i originally thought. Thank you <3

          • The D

            August 19, 2016 at 10:33

            Pleasure! Always happy to chat obscure comic book trivia 😀

          • Pariah

            August 19, 2016 at 11:16

            You are seriously into comics, that’s for sure. Who needs a wiki when we have a Darryn? 😀

      • Matthew Holliday

        August 19, 2016 at 10:11

        Nick Furys appearance isnt what made his character, was a bit of a shock when I first saw him, he was the first character to be changed like that, but I was okay with it, Samuel L Jackson is one cool cat.

        Dr Strange, Ive never read his stuff, didnt even know he was Asian, in fact its not even mentioned in his wiki. Seems like a missed opportunity to get some authentic diversity in there. People seem pretty pissed now that Ive googled it, and I get it. its that whole whitewashing thing all over again.
        A diversity pick there should have been a no brainer, no one would have been pissed and it made sense.

        Iris West from the flash series, I was okay with her being made black.
        But Mary Jane? She’s a fiery redhead, its a part of her character, always has been.
        its like making Misty Knight a suburban white girl.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          August 19, 2016 at 10:15

          Ok the contradiction is strong there. I can’t accept that Mary-Jane is inflexible, unlike other characters. You also say Dr Strange could very well be asian (he is only asian in a few alternate universes, he’s not really asian at all). But Mary-Jane can’t be a not-red-head? Makes no sense to me, personally.

          One more: thoughts on the new Superman being asian?

          Reply

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 19, 2016 at 10:35

            Haha tricked me, but yeah, people are actually mad he’s not asian though. I would be fine with an Asian dr strange, although he’d have to be adopted because “Stephen Strange” isnt exactly authentic Chinese.

            Chinese superman is interesting, his earthly heritage doesnt really matter, so long as its an interesting read.

            I dont consider the contradiction to be any sort of hypocrisy. Some characters Im fine with, some Im not.And its not even about the skin colour, its about the hair, if “fiery redhead” was a natural pairing with black skin, then sure, 100% chill. But its not, so Im a little annoyed.

          • Pariah

            August 19, 2016 at 10:43

            Well I didn’t say hypocrite either, I know you better than that. It just seems contradictory. But I get where you’re coming from, it’s just weird.

            I don’t have an issue with adaptations. As long as they’re great.

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 19, 2016 at 10:52

            Sure, no issues with adaptations either, black Iris West, cool, black Hermione Granger, cool.
            But a non-ginger Mary Jane is like a white Misty Knight.

            Side note, I have faith it will still be a good movie though, but man…

      • Skittle

        August 19, 2016 at 10:38

        As far as I know Doctor Strange has never been Asian but the monk who trains him is. People cried fowl when a white woman was cast to play the monk so why can’t we cry foul when a non read-head is playing Mary-Jane?

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          August 19, 2016 at 10:42

          exactly, its the hair!

          Reply

        • Pariah

          August 19, 2016 at 10:45

          People are crying foul about Dr Strange himself not being Asian. And people will cry foul about a myriad of things, doesn’t make it reasonable. You’re welcome to carry on, but those of us who keep an open mind will simply ignore you or chastise you, depending on the person.

          In my case, carry on. I just think it’s whiny and a bit closed minded to not first see the results. People raged about Ben Afflick’s Batman. Turns out he was the best part of that movie.

          Reply

          • Dresden

            August 20, 2016 at 13:27

            Who said they won’t give the movie a chance? Matthew said in his comment that he has faith it will be a good movie. Saying they are whiny or closed minded just because they are upset about the change is a bit harsh.

            Changing a main characteristic of a lead character in a comic or book will be difficult to accept or adjust to, especially when you are a big fan of said franchise. For them, it means a lot because they came to know and enjoy this specific character in a certain way and I share that sentiment. When something is already good, people will always be scared that change will make it worse.

            So I totally agree with you. People that say this adaptation or any other will be bad without going to see the movie are being extremely ignorant and deserved to be treated as such. But having reservations because of change is completely reasonable, as long as you are willing to give it a try at least 🙂 .

    • Pariah

      August 19, 2016 at 09:54

      And what about Nick Fury being black?

      Reply

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