The Marvel Cinematic Universe is abuzz with news that Sadie Sink has been cast in the MCU’s upcoming Spider-Man 4. Her distinctive red hair has prompted widespread speculation that she might portray the iconic character Mary Jane Watson. While not the MJ Watson from the comics, the MCU timeline has a version of MJ played by Zendaya, leading some to wonder whether Zendaya will return in Spider-Man 4.
Zendaya first appeared as MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming, portraying a different version of the character as seen in the comics. This rendition, whose full name is Michelle Jones-Watson, was a fellow student of Peter Parker’s, who promptly discovered his secret idenтιтy and won his heart. Their relationship reached its most difficult juncture in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which ended with the entire world (including MJ) forgetting Peter Parker. Now with the MCU’s latest casting news, there’s speculation that Zendaya might not return for the MCU’s Spider-Man 4.
Marvel Has Not Confirmed Zendaya’s Spider-Man 4 Casting
Zendaya’s Casting Is Rumored But Unconfirmed
At the time of writing, Marvel Studios has officially confirmed the return of Tom Holland as Peter Parker and the addition of Sadie Sink to the Spider-Man 4 cast. Notably absent is any official confirmation regarding Zendaya’s involvement in the upcoming film. In the past, Marvel often secured actors with multi-film contracts spanning six or more movies. However, recent trends indicate a shift away from such long-term agreements, suggesting that Zendaya may no longer be contractually obligated to reprise her role as MJ.
It’s unclear how many Spider-Man movies Zendaya originally signed up for, but in an interview with E! News, Zendaya intimated that, like Holland, she was contracted for three. Zendaya commented: “We don’t know if we’re gonna do another one. Like, is it just gonna be three and done? Normally you do three movies and that’s pretty much it, so I think we just were all absorbing and taking the time to just enjoy the moment, being with each other, and being so grateful for that experience.”
This shift certainly doesn’t preclude the possibility of Zendaya’s return, but it does leave her participation in Spider-Man 4 uncertain. The introduction of a new character, potentially Mary Jane Watson, could signal a new direction for Peter Parker’s storyline, with No Way Home offering a natural point for a new narrative and Peter Parker’s new life. While unconfirmed reports suggest Zendaya will return in a drastically smaller role, there has been no confirmation from Marvel or Zendaya themselves.
Zendaya Read The Spider-Man 4 Script With Tom Holland
Holland Revealed That He And Zendaya Have Read The Spider-Man 4 Script
In an interview on the Rich Roll podcast, Tom Holland confirmed that he and Zendaya read the script for Spider-Man 4 together (via THR). This itself throws up some interesting possibilities, as the MCU typically keeps everything top secret and would likely not have allowed Zendaya to read a script that she was not in. Holland commented on the script:
“It needs work, but the writers are doing a great job. I read it three weeks ago, and it really lit a fire in me. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together, and we at times were bouncing around the living room like, ‘This is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect.’ But there’s a few things we need to figure out before we can get that really going, but it’s exciting.”
This would suggest that Zendaya is very much included in the story for Spider-Man 4. However, it’s worth noting that Tom Holland is notorious for breaking his MCU silence. Holland has repeatedly shared confidential events and promo material before he was allowed to – typically by accident. As Holland and Zendaya are romantic partners, it’s not out of the question that Holland simply chose to share the moment with her.
Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Ending Left Zendaya’s MJ Forgetting Peter Parker
Nobody In The MCU Remembers Peter Parker
The ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home was one of the most emotional moments in the entire MCU. After Peter Parker and Doctor Strange accidentally fracture the multiverse, villains from other Spider-Man realities enter the MCU. The only way to prevent total chaos is for Strange to cast a new spell that erases everyone’s memory of Peter Parker entirely. This decision means that everyone who once knew Peter – including MJ and his best friend Ned – completely forgets his existence.
In the film’s final moments, Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop where she works, initially intending to tell her who he is and remind her of their love, as she had instructed him to do. However, after seeing how peaceful and happy she appears, he hesitates. Peter ultimately decides against revealing the truth, walking away and leaving her unaware of their past relationship.
This heartbreaking conclusion leaves MJ in an uncertain place within the MCU. She is no longer part of Peter’s life, and he has effectively chosen to start over on his own. The door is left open for her to return in Spider-Man 4, but given the film’s casting changes and the speculation surrounding Sadie Sink’s potential role as Mary Jane Watson, Zendaya’s future in the franchise remains unclear.
How Zendaya’s MJ Could Still Fit Into Spider-Man 4’s Story
Zendaya’s MJ Is Expected To Have A Minor Role
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up up to conclude its Multiverse Saga, with Spider-Man 4 being released between Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. This would suggest that the multiverse will be a major part of Spider-Man 4 and will likely deal with the fallout of Doomsday, much as Spider-Man: No Way Home did for Avengers: Endgame. This could proffer some insight into Zendaya’s future in the MCU.
Many suspect that Secret War will contain a universe-melding narrative that could serve as a soft reboot to streamline the MCU’s complicated timeline, while also establishing the X-Men and Fantastic Four within the continuity. With Sadie Sink’s Spider-Man 4 casting news, it’s possible that Zendaya’s MJ could appear initially before being retired along with the original timeline, with Peter Parker subsequently meeting an MJ multiversal variant at the end of Spider-Man 4. This could set up a slightly more comic-accurate MJ to be Peter’s love-interest in a post-Secret Wars landscape.
Recent MCU reports suggest that Zendaya’s MJ will have a minor role in Spider-Man 4, purportedly due to her busy filming schedule with Euphoria season 3 and Dune: Messiah. These reports, though unconfirmed, also suggest that Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock and John Bernthal’s Punisher could play a role, with the potential introduction of Mephisto into the MCU. Regardless, it already seems that Spider-Man 4 will drastically alter the franchise’s trajectory and its line-up of stars.
Sources: E! News & THR
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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MCU Spider-Man 4
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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May 7, 2027
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