MJ (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Michelle, also known as MJ, is a fictional character portrayed by Zendaya in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film franchise, an original character within the media franchise that pays homage to Mary Jane "MJ" Watson, a common love interest of Spider-Man in comic books and various media.[1][2][3]

MJ
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
MJ, as portrayed by Zendaya in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
First appearanceSpider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Created by
Based onMary-Jane Watson (homage)
Portrayed byZendaya
In-universe information
Full nameMichelle
NicknameMJ
Significant otherPeter Parker
NationalityAmerican

She is depicted as a smart, snarky supporting character and classmate of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and serves as the main romantic interest for the titular superhero in Spider-Man: Far From Home, a unique aspect for original characters within the MCU franchise and upon Spider-Man feature films preceding it.[4] Initially, Zendaya's role was the subject of controversy, due to the belief that an African American had been cast to portray Mary Jane Watson, though her portrayal of a revealed new character received favorable reviews after the first film's release as a strong female supporting cast member, additionally receiving the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the second film.

Creation and concept
She has a really cool wardrobe, really funny, lots of literary nods. I like the idea that she’s a real reader and bookish. She always has a big pile of books she’s carrying around, which I picked and obsessed over.

—Jon Watts, director[5]

According to Spider-Man: Homecoming co-screenwriter John Francis Daley, MJ was intended as a reinvention of Mary Jane Watson.[6] While her nickname reveal was an homage to the supporting character within the comic books and other Spider-Man media, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed she is an original Marvel Cinematic Universe character.[7] Feige added: "Peter’s had a lot of friends over the years in the comics, and a lot of schoolmates and characters he’s interacted with. It wasn’t just Mary Jane Watson; it wasn’t just Gwen Stacy; it wasn’t just Harry Osborn. So we were very interested in the other characters, and that’s where Liz came from and that’s where the version of the character Michelle came from."[8] Jon Watts, director of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home, likened the character to Ally Sheedy's Allison Reynolds from The Breakfast Club (1985) and Linda Cardellini's Lindsay Weir from Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000).[5]

Etymology

Dave McNary, writing for Variety, used the surname "Jones" for the character in an article about Spider-Man: Homecoming.[9] Secondary sources subsequently commonly list her surname as "Jones", despite the name being unofficial.[10] In Spider-Man: Far From Home, a view of the character's passport shows only the name Michelle.

Portrayal and characterization
Zendaya portrays the character within the MCU.

MJ is portrayed by actress Zendaya within the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a student at Midtown School of Science and Technology, as one of Peter Parker's classmates and friends. Years after Liz Toomes' departure, she and Peter start a romantic relationship. MJ is snarky and coy, but also kind and friendly. She often acts as the voice of reason, and she provides Peter with comfort and advice.[11][12][13]

Her character is depicted as a brainy girl and a bookworm; Zendaya described her character as "very dry, awkward, intellectual", having an introverted personality because of her intelligence.[14] Unlike previous supporting female characters within Spider-Man films, such as Mary Jane Watson from the Sam Raimi trilogy and Gwen Stacy from the Amazing Spider-Man films, MJ does not start off as a romantic interest. Instead, the character Liz Allan was created initially for the role of romantic interest to start off with until the sequel.[15][4] MJ is not depicted as a damsel in distress, unlike Mary Jane in the Raimi films, but like Gwen in the Amazing Spider-Man series, she is willing to aid Peter in his battles, putting herself in harm's way.[13]

Fictional character biography

Michelle, commonly known as MJ, is a student at Midtown School of Science and Technology who initially enjoys mocking all of her fellow students there, including Peter Parker. Despite keeping her distance socially, MJ is eventually given the opportunity to take over from the departing Liz Toomes as captain of the Academic Decathlon Team, and begins to open up more with her fellow teammates, which include Ned Leeds and Parker.

MJ, like Parker, is a victim of the Snap by Thanos in 2018, but along with all other victims, is resurrected in the Blip five years later. Her affections are sought out by Parker and Brad Davis during Midtown Tech's trip to Europe. When she deduces Parker's identity as Spider-Man, MJ helps discover Mysterio's fraudulence, by exposing him as the one who staged the Elemental crisis. Shortly after their trip to Europe, MJ and Parker begin dating. After their first date, MJ is horrified when TheDailyBugle.net's J. Jonah Jameson releases a doctored video of Mysterio and Spider-Man, claiming that Spider-Man is responsible for the casualties of the Battle of London while exposing Parker as Spider-Man.

Appearances

In other media

MJ also appears in the Spider-Man: Far From Home Prelude comics released by Marvel Comics. The comic strips serve as a retelling of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Reception

Casting controversy

According to news media, after the announcement of Zendaya being cast, there was much controversy and speculation sparked on the fact that Zendaya, an African American actress, would be portraying Mary Jane Watson.[14][17] Media even came out on the defense of the issue, along with another Marvel Cinematic Universe director James Gunn in social media.[18][17] Zendaya responded to the rumors of her character as Mary Jane by The Hollywood Reporter in an interview saying:

Whenever we were on set, one of us gets some random character name [on the call sheet]. [Bloggers were] like, "Oh they must be so and so." And we just crack up about it, because it's like, 'Whatever you want to think. You'll find out.' It's funny to watch the guessing game. But of course there's going to be outrage over that because for some reason some people just aren't ready. I'm like, "I don't know what America you live in, but from what I see when I walk outside my streets of New York right now, I see lots of diversity and I see the real world and it's beautiful, and that's what should be reflected and that's what is reflected so you're just going to have to get over it."[14]

She also confirmed that despite the confusion, she is "100% Michelle" and not Mary Jane as many have speculated.[19]

Portrayal reaction

The character of MJ had a positive reception in Homecoming by film critics, with Zendaya referred to as a "scene stealer" in her first major film role, despite her limited screen-time.[20][21][22] Caitlin Busch of Inverse felt thankful that the character was not Mary Jane Watson and opined that the original character works better for the film.[23]

The character has also received positive feedback from a feminist perspective, especially in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Karen Han of Polygon felt that the character was a positive representation of strong female characters while additionally Vanity Fair noted how MJ was not portrayed as a warrior like Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter, Lupita Nyong'o's Nakia or Evangeline Lilly's Hope van Dyne but also not a damsel and declared her as the "MJ we both need and deserve".[24][25] Her personality was reminiscent to as Daria Morgendorffer in Daria to some reporters.[24][26] Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue described the MCU version of MJ as extremely important in Peter Parker's life.[27]

Awards

Zendaya has won the 45th Saturn Awards for Best Supporting Actress for portraying the character in 2018 through 2019.[28]

See also

References
  1. Romano, Nick. "'Spider-Man' director confirms Zendaya character name". EW.com. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. Cheeda, Saim (November 25, 2019). "Spider-Man: Mary Jane vs Michelle Jones: Who Is Better?". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. Davison, Josh (July 10, 2020). "Spider-Man: 5 Ways MCU MJ Is Different From The Classic Version (& 5 How They're Exactly The Same)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  4. "From Iron Man to Spider-Man — Ranking the Romances of the Marvel Cinematic Universe". Den of Geek. February 11, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  5. Sciretta, Peter (April 3, 2017). "'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Set Visit: Everything We Learned – Page 2 of 3". /Film. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  6. Alter, Ethan. "Your Complete Guide to the 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Easter Eggs". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  7. Vejvoda, Jim. "Spider-Man: Homecoming Producers Say Twist to That Character Not What It Seems - IGN". Retrieved September 8, 2020. Well, we never even looked at it as a big reveal necessarily but more of just a fun homage to his past adventures and his past love. She's not Mary Jane Watson. She never was Mary Jane Watson.
  8. Crow, David (July 8, 2017). "Spider-Man: Homecoming Ending – Kevin Feige Talks Some Surprises". Den of Geek. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  9. McNary, Dave (July 7, 2017). "Box Office: Spider-Man: Homecoming Climbs to $15.4 Million on Thursday Night". Variety. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  10. Pardiwalla, Tanzim (July 9, 2019). "MJ Got the Redemption She Deserved With Zendaya's Michelle Jones In 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'". Mashable India. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  11. Kelley, Seth (July 5, 2017). "Box Office: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Could Sling to $100 Million-Plus Opening". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  12. Buchanan, Kyle (July 5, 2017). "Fair Warning: Zendaya Is Barely in Spider-Man: Homecoming". Vulture. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  13. Noronha, Remus (July 9, 2019). "Spider-Man: Far from Home's MJ is vastly different from her predecessors and that's perfect". Meaww.com.
  14. Siegel, Tatiana. "Zendaya Responds to 'Spider-Man' Casting Controversy, Mary Jane Rumors: "People Are Going to React Over Anything" | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  15. Armitage, Hugh (June 28, 2017). "Zendaya doesn't need to be saved in Spider-Man". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  16. Lawrence, Gregory (March 12, 2020). "Tom Holland Reveals 'Spider-Man 3' Filming Date, Zendaya's Return, 'Insane' Story". Collider. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  17. Howard, Adam. "'Spider-Man' Zendaya casting controversy revives racial tensions". NBC News. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  18. Yamato, Jen (August 19, 2016). "Zendaya, 'Spider-Man Homecoming,' and the Beauty of A Black Mary Jane". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  19. Bell, Crystal. "Zendaya Says Her Spider-Man Character Is '100 Percent' Michelle, Not Mary Jane". MTV News. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  20. DeFore, John. "'Spider-Man: Homecoming': Film Review | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  21. Collin, Robbie (June 30, 2017). "Spider-Man: Homecoming review: the web-slinger's gizmo-heavy John Hughes homage is too cobwebby for comfort". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  22. Duralde, Alonso (July 2, 2019). "'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Film Review: Tom Holland Goes to Holland -- and Italy and Britain -- in Globe-trotting Marvel Romp". TheWrap. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  23. Busch, Caitlin. "Zendaya Isn't Mary Jane in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', She's Better". Inverse. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  24. Han, Karen (July 5, 2019). "Spider-Man: Far From Home's deadpan take on MJ is the heroine we need". Polygon. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  25. Robinson, Joanna. "Spider-Man: Far From Home: Zendaya, the Black Dahlia Murders, and the MJ We Deserve". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  26. Paige, Rachel. "Spider-Man, Zendaya, & The Mary Jane Of It All". Refinery29. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  27. Leishman, Rachel. "The MCU Version of "MJ" Is Extremely Important". www.themarysue.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  28. Boucher, Geoff (September 14, 2019). "Saturn Awards: 'Spider-Man' Star Tom Holland Wins For Third Year In A Row". Deadline. Retrieved September 8, 2020.

The plot description and characterization were adapted from Michelle at Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA 3.0) license.

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