A new Spider-Man: Brand New Day theory suggests a tragic way why Zendaya’s MJ could have a reduced role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that goes beyond what happened in the hero’s last solo entry. Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending completely changed the game as far as Peter Parker’s story is concerned. With Aunt May ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and Doctor Strange’s spell making it so everyone forgot who Peter was, Tom Holland’s Marvel hero is all alone in the MCU.

After seeing her almost die before Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man saved her in the latest of the MCU’s Spider-Man movies, it made sense that Peter chose not to tell MJ the truth about them in order to keep her safe. However, in doing so, he might have led her down a path of no return for the future of the MCU, and that could add a new heartbreaking twist to their relationship when Spider-Man: Brand New Day comes around.

The MCU’s Ned Leeds Is A Version Of Marvel Comics’ Ganke

Marvel Studios Picks A Lot From The Ultimate Spider-Man Comics

Zendaya’s MJ is not the only one of Peter’s best friends who have forgotten him in the MCU. Before Peter and MJ were ever close, Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds was already Spider-Man’s closest friend. While the character hails from the comics, it is interesting to note that the MCU version of Ned pulls a lot from another character. In fact, the MCU’s Spider-Man movies as a whole are influenced by both the Peter Parker Ultimate Spider-Man run and Miles Morales’.

While Miles has only been teased in the MCU — though there are some who believe he could appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and that The Bear‘s Liza Colón-Zayas is playing his mom — his best friend from the comics was used as the template for Batalon’s Ned. That would be Ganke, with the MCU actor not only physically resembling the character, but Ned also displaying a similar personality to Miles Morales’ best friend. I think that it could be important to adapt one story that would involve Zendaya’s MJ.

Zendaya Will Reportedly Have A Reduced Role In Spider-Man: Brand New Day

The Marvel Star Has Been A Staple Of The Spider-Man Movies

Zendaya’s role in the MCU’s Spider-Man movies grew with time. After she had a smaller role in Spider-Man: Homecoming, she became Peter’s love interest for the two following Spider-Man movies. Given how Spider-Man: No Way Home ends with Peter deciding not to tell MJ about their relationship to protect her, it would not make sense for her to be deeply involved with the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, nor for her and Peter to get back together so soon.

When describing the MCU’s upcoming movie, Tom Holland said the idea was for it to be a “fresh start” to the Spider-Man franchise. To that regard, Zendaya’s MJ will reportedly have a reduced role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. According to The InSneider, her busy schedule in 2026 had a lot to do with that — she has Euphoria season 3 and Dune: Messiah this year — and there is the Spider-Man: No Way Home story factor. Despite her role being smaller, MJ’s appearance could still pack an emotional punch if one Marvel Comics story is adapted.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Theory Has MJ And Ned Start Dating

Peter Parker’s Best Friends Could Go On Without Him

On Reddit, user Turbulent-Raisin8789 came up with an interesting Marvel theory that could explain why Zendaya’s MJ has a smaller role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it involves her dating Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds. In the comics, Ganke, who influences the MCU’s Ned, ends up getting together with Miles Morales’ ex-girlfriend, Barbara, after they break up. Due to how Ganke and Ned share similarities and given Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s setup, Ned could be dating MJ when Peter sees them next.

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This would give the MCU the perfect excuse to focus on a new group of supporting characters for the next Spider-Man movie. As both were close friends and headed to MIT together, it would make sense for them to form a connection now that they do not remember Peter. That said, the comics also show how Peter and MJ could get together after Spider-Man: Brand New Day, as Ganke and Barbara broke up to put their studies in the first place, which Ned and MJ could do, given the MIT of it all.