With a meteoric rise at a young age, Zendaya has transitioned from a Disney royalty to the youngest Emmy-awarding winning actress in history for Euphoria. Her stardom reached a new level when she became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she portrays the role of MJ in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films. The actress surprised the whole Marvel fandom with her enigmatic presence, and instead of playing the traditional damsel in distress, she imbued her spicy personality to the character, making the viewers her fans.
However, prior to her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans were skeptical of her casting, questioning her appointment behind such a pivotal role. Soon, a controversy erupted on social media until the Euphoria actress decided to silence a toxic fan over her casting.
Zendaya Silenced a Toxic Fan Without Spider-Man’s Help
When the report of Zendaya’s mysterious role in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Homecoming was unveiled, where ardent Marvel fans learned that the actress might very well be portraying the role of Mary Jane Watson, a controversy erupted. Some fans believed that the casting of the Challengers actress was deviating from the source material, especially due to her ethnicity.
The actress being aware of the full-blown controversy following her casting in the MCU puts her in a unique position as she silenced a fan on X, then Twitter, where a hater commented on her post, “Not my MJ,” to which the actress replied, “Too Late” with a bizarre picture.
Recently, a fan (@hernandy_s) shared the incident on social media, asking the fans for the actress’ apt reply. It looks like even in 2024, there are some fans who have not fully accepted her casting, while some acknowledge her as the greatest actress to play Peter Parker’s love interest.
Half assed casting, make her Mary Jane Watson or don't.
— The Lewis Jones (@LewisJo58265023) March 28, 2024
I wish she could’ve actually played MJ tho lmao
But that ain’t up to her.
— 🅲🆁🅰🅸🅶 (@ThePacerTest2) March 28, 2024
I really wish they keep MJ's character from Homecoming
She was so cool that I instantly love the idea that she might be the future lead— Lily Lee (@LilyLee87481170) March 28, 2024
This is my MJ no matter what Sony tries saying
— Gala Guy #FREEPALESTINE🇵🇸 X97 ERA (@MoralesSense) March 28, 2024
My MJ, can't wait to see what they're cooking for the next trilogy
— Gabriel Benton (@GabrielBenton10) March 29, 2024
She gotta have a glow up when she's brought again at some point in Tom's new trilogy.
Like… for real.
MAKE HER LOOK FREAKING ACCURATE, DAMNIT. pic.twitter.com/hFvRlNLMt8
— Young special🇨🇴 (@RiascosJacob) March 28, 2024
Nevertheless, the actress was immensely disappointed with the hate she had received from the Marvel fandom over her casting in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise.
Zendaya Opens Up About The Hate She Received Over Her Casting As MJ Watson in The MCU
During an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Dune actress shared how she was too young to be a fan of Tobey Maguire’s franchise, but she was the right age for Andrew Garfield’s franchise, which transformed her into a full-blown Spidey fanatic, calling him “most relatable,” for “doing the most outrageous things.”
In the same interview, Zendaya was asked about the fan controversy over “an African-American Mary Jane?” The actress was immensely disappointed with the people’s reaction to her casting announcement, stating how they “are going to react over anything.”
She said,
“People are going to react over anything. But nothing [about who she is playing] is fact. It’s like, you guys are just making shit up at this point and then reacting to it. 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.”
She added,
“My character is not romantic. My character is like very dry, awkward, intellectual and because she’s so smart, she just feels like she doesn’t need to talk to people, like “My brain is so far ahead of you that you’re just not really on my level.” So she comes off very weird. But to me, she is very cool because she’s deep. She’s always thinking about something, always reading. I like that.”
Nevertheless, her portrayal of the character is indeed different and a reimagined version of MJ, as her character looks too cool, and it is quite surprising how fans can hate her.
Spider-Man: Homecoming can be streamed on Disney+.
