Zendaya Expresses Concern Over MJ’s Character in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Zendaya had a significant issue with an early portrayal of MJ in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’: she felt the character was too ordinary.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Zendaya shared that she wanted MJ to retain the quirky, humorous, and slightly unpredictable traits that fans have come to love. After reviewing an initial draft of the script, she sensed that something vital was missing from the character.

“We wanted to mature the characters, obviously, but I remember when I read it, I was like she’s too, for lack of a better term, normal,” Zendaya remarked. “Where did all her weirdness go?”

This reaction prompted what Zendaya humorously referred to as an “MJ pass” on the script. She aimed to reintroduce some of MJ’s unique quirks and ensure that the character still resonated with the same essence that audiences had enjoyed in previous ‘Spider-Man’ films.

Zendaya mentioned that she discussed her concerns with director Destin Daniel Cretton, who was receptive to making adjustments. “We found little moments,” she explained.

These subtle modifications seemingly contributed to shaping MJ’s character throughout the film. One instance involved a scene featuring Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher.

Zendaya explained that an earlier version of the scene depicted MJ responding to Castle’s world with a bit more trepidation. However, she believed that wasn’t quite fitting for MJ. Instead of being intimidated, Zendaya thought her character would likely find him intriguing.

“There was a version where she was, not scared of him, but a little bit more, ‘Oh, this is where you live?’” Zendaya recalled. “I was like, no, MJ would be like, ‘This is how I would live.’ She’d be into him. She’d think he was really cool.”

This attention to detail was crucial for Zendaya, as she aimed to ensure MJ felt authentic. Rather than completely altering the character, the objective was to maintain the quirky charm that endeared her to fans in the first place.

The adjustments also aligned with Cretton’s overall vision for ‘Brand New Day’. According to Zendaya, the director encouraged the cast to explore their characters and contribute their own ideas to the narrative.

Zendaya commended Cretton for his deep understanding of Peter Parker, MJ, and their emotional dynamics. She noted that during their initial meeting, she felt comfortable discussing her thoughts on the characters, and Cretton was open to those suggestions.

The actress believes this focus contributed to making ‘Brand New Day’ feel more personal than previous ‘Spider-Man’ films. “I think he’s most interested in the Peter Parker part of Spider-Man,” she stated. “I think that is what makes this movie probably the most intimate look at Peter Parker that we’ve ever seen. It’s so personal.”

The upcoming film follows Peter after the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, where the world forgets his identity. While Peter continues to battle crime, he must observe MJ and Ned build their lives without any memory of him.

For Zendaya, preserving MJ’s eccentricity was just as crucial as exploring the character’s evolution. Based on her insights, ‘Brand New Day’ successfully allows MJ to mature while retaining the personality that endeared her to fans.

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