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Marc Webb’sThe Amazing Spider-Man 2left fans buzzing with its emotional highs, especially the tragic death of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). However, the film also stirred controversy by omitting a pivotal character: Mary Jane Watson (MJ). MJ had been the familiar love interest of Peter Parker/ Spider-Man, something Sony’sAmazon Spider-Manskipped past in the first movie.
However, for the second movie, Shailene Woodley played Parker’s familiar love interest, even though her scenes ended up being cut from the movie. Now, with whispers ofThe Amazing Spider-Man 3on the horizon, Woodley’s MJ could be Sony’s best chance to reinvigorate the franchise.
The Missed Opportunity inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2
Mary Jane Watson, a cornerstone of Spider-Man lore, made her comic debut in 1965, created by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr. After Gwen Stacy’s death in the comics, MJ became Peter Parker’s enduring romantic partner. Webb’sThe Amazing Spider-Man 2seemed poised to follow a similar trajectory, setting the stage for MJ to appear after Gwen’s heart-wrenching clock tower demise at the hands of the Green Goblin.
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Shailene Woodley was cast as MJ and even filmed scenes on the New York set. Despite her impressive portrayal, director Marc Webb ultimately decided to cut her role, citing the film’s complex narrative as a factor. (via LA Times)
Shailene is a brilliant actress, and she did a great couple days of work. But it was very difficult to introduce someone as a competing love interest when so much is on the table with Peter and Gwen.
Producer Matt Tolmach echoed this sentiment, saying,
We bit off more than we can chew. We had a superhero opera, and as great as Shailene is, she didn’t really co-exist with the bigger story we were telling.
Although Woodley’s MJ didn’t make it intoThe Amazing Spider-Man 2, her performance reportedly left a strong impression. Fans caught a fleeting glimpse of her from behind in the café scene near the film’s climax, teasing what could have been.
MJ can return inThe Amazing Spider-Man 3
Now, with Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy gone, the door is wide open for MJ to step into the spotlight inThe Amazing Spider-Man 3. Her reintroduction would also give the franchise a chance to explore a new layer of Peter’s grief and his journey toward healing after losing Gwen.
The absence of MJ inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2was notable, especially in an era where superhero films often tease future characters to maintain audience interest. Marvel Studios has mastered this strategy, weaving characters into narratives to build anticipation for upcoming films. By reintroducing MJ inThe Amazing Spider-Man 3, Sony could tap into this trend, giving audiences a compelling reason to return to the franchise.
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Moreover, Woodley’s MJ could anchorAndrew Garfield’sSpider-Man emotionally, providing a counterbalance to his struggles as Spider-Man.The Amazing Spider-Manmovies are available to stream on Disney+.
Rishabh Bhatnagar
Editor/Reviewer
Articles Published :315
Rishabh Bhatnagar is an Entertainment and pop culture journalist/editor with Fandom Wire. He has more than 6 years of experience working for multiple major platforms and is himself an avid consumer of worthwhile content. A natural storyteller, Rishabh has a unique way with words and is always looking to improve, as a storyteller, writer, and a journalist.
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