(L-R) Actors Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tom Holland, Tony Revolori, Zendaya and director Jon Watts from Marvel Studios 'Spider-Man: Homecoming attend the San Diego Comic-Con International 2016 Marvel Panel in Hall H on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, Cal (Photo : Getty Images for Disney/Alberto E. Rodriguez)
The highly anticipated movie, "Spider Man: Homecoming" has wrapped its production and one name appeared to be missing: Mary Jane Watson.
The iconic love interest of Peter Parker was nowhere to be found even as the filming commenced. There were numerous names thrown around and at one point, it was suspected that Zendaya was actually playing Mary Jane. She has denied that in an interview with ET Online.
"Well, I'm not Mary Jane unfortunately, but I am in the movie which is exciting. My character's name is Michelle, if that's what everybody wants to think. I'm gonna let people think whatever they want to think," Zendaya stated.
However, there are still many who question the veracity of her statement pointing out her demeanor in the interview and the telltale "wink" she gave.
Is Marvel Studios (who is now tasked with making the film) going to use the lame excuse that "Michelle" is actually "Mary Jane?" That sounds like a lame excuse but it's not entirely impossible.
The other question is whether "Michelle" is actually Peter Parker's love interest. It's not Mary Jane but still a love interest nonetheless.
Some comic buffs have sought to answer that question. LRM online has mentioned that in the comic books, Liz Allan was Peter Parker's love interest. Allan is portrayed by Laura Harrier in the movie.
As Kellvin Chavez of LRM stated, "the romance would be pretty comic book-accurate from the original Spider-Man run when Peter was attracted to the popular Liz Allen, but she was dating Flash Thompson. In Spidey lore, there's a whole plot line where Peter tutors Liz, who's part of the cool kid clique at his high school, and while she initially treats him like a nerd...she eventually falls for him, leaves Flash, denounces the cool kids, and goes to be with Peter the lovable underdog."
That type of plotline is very similar to John Hughes' memorable romantic comedies in the 80s-which is a theme that "Spider Man: Homecoming" seems to have adopted.
It is still speculated that the romance with Liz Allan, if it does materialize in the movie, will be short-lived. Allan is the best friend of Mary Jane Watson and there is a possibility that she may be introduced in subsequent films-or maybe even this one.
