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Spider-Man Homecoming: James Gunn Addresses Mary-Jane Casting Controversy

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ writer-director James Gunn has long been one of the most outspoken figures on all things Marvel movie-related, so naturally he has a lot to say regarding the recent brouhaha over the rumoured casting of Mary-Jane Watson in the upcoming ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’

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Possible ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ spoilers to follow…

While the rumour remains unsubstantiated, it was reported this week that actress Zendaya - whose casting in an unspecified role in the Marvel/Sony co-production had long been common knowledge - will in fact portray the classic Peter Parker love interest MJ alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.

This news met with a somewhat mixed response from fans, largely because Zendaya is not the traditional red-haired, white-skinned young woman of the comics and the earlier ‘Spider-Man’ movies (not that original MJ actress Kirsten Dunst is a natural red-head).

Gunn took to Facebook to argue that - if Zendaya has indeed been cast in the role, which he does not confirm – it needn’t be something to get worked up about.

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“People get upset when something they consider intrinsic to a comic book character changes when adapted for a film. I get this…

“That said, I do not believe a character is the color of his or her skin. When Michael B Jordan was cast as Johnny Storm [in 2015’s ‘Fantastic Four’] I didn’t understand the uproar.

“The primary characteristic of Johnny was not, to me, that he was white, or that he had blonde hair, but that he was a fiery, funny, big-mouthed braggart of a hero. I was happy that he was going to be played by one of the finest and most charming young actors out there.

“…For me, if a character’s primary attribute – the thing that makes them iconic – is the color of their skin, or their hair color, frankly, that character is shallow and sucks. For me, what makes MJ MJ is her alpha female playfulness, and if the actress captures that, then she’ll work.

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“And, for the record, I think Zendaya even matches what I think of as MJ’s primary physical characteristics – she’s a tall, thin model – much more so than actresses have in the past.

“Whatever the case, if we’re going to continue to make movies based on the almost all white heroes and supporting characters from the comics of the last century, we’re going to have to get used to them being more reflective of our diverse present world.

“Perhaps we can be open to the idea that, although someone may not initially match how we personally conceive a character, we can be – and often are – happily surprised.”

Still, Gunn also stresses “For those of you who think this means I’m confirming that Zendaya IS playing MJ, realize that although I’ve read the Spidey script, and I’ve met the actress in question, I have no idea what her role is,” and says his comments are “about the concept about a black woman playing Mary Jane, not the actuality or hypothesis of it.”

Kirsten Dunst played MJ in Sam Raimi’s original ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, whilst Shailene Woodley shot scenes in the role which didn’t make the final cut of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2.’

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ hits UK cinemas on 7 July 2017 – but before that, Gunn’s next Marvel movie, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2,’ will open on 28 April.

Picture Credit: WENN, Marvel

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