I Don’t Want MJ To Return In Spider-Man 4 For One Simple Reason

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With Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4 moving forward, I hope Zendaya's MJ is not in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie for a very simple story reason. MJ's role in Holland's Spider-Man movies is very important. The character was more closed-off in Spider-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 is the second-best Spider-Man romantic interest in live-action, behind Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy from Andrew Garfield's The Amazing Spider-Man movie franchise.

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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, the MCU's Spider-Man 4 is 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 after Spider-Man: No Way Home. That film set up a possible new chapter of the franchise for Spider-Man 4 director Destin Daniel Cretton to 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 Close 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 helm Spider-Man 4, Deadline revealed that deals are being closed for Tom Holland to return as Spider-Man and Zendaya to return as MJ. According to Deadline, both stars have been part of Spider-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 in Spider-Man 4 seems 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, with Euphoria and Dune: Part Two being great examples of Zendaya's range. I simply don't want to see MJ come back in Spider-Man 4 for 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 Close The main reason I don't think Zendaya should come back as MJ in Spider-Man 4 is because it would go against Spider-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, making all 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 from Spider-Man: No Way Home's final battle, the hero decides not to tell her or Ned in order to keep them safe. That is the most Spider-Man-like choice I believe Peter Parker could have made in that situation. Going into Spider-Man 4, Aunt May is dead, no one remembers who he is, and Peter lives alone in a small apartment, being at his lowest in the MCU.
However, Zendaya's return as MJ in Spider-Man 4 would 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 Close I thought Spider-Man: No Way Home set 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 in Spider-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 interest Spider-Man 4 could 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 does and 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 in Spider-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 Close While I don't think MJ being in Spider-Man 4 is 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, as the MCU built a beautiful relationship between her and Peter Parker. However, the impact of Spider-Man: No Way Home's big decision about that relationship needs to be felt, and only MJ's absence can make sure that it works out the best it can. After letting the fallout from Spider-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 in Spider-Man 5 and slowly finding their way back together in Spider-Man 6 would 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 in Spider-Man 4 will 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 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.
Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe , Spider-Man All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies