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[richiek]

https://www.facebook.com/jgunn/posts/10153548508766157

James Gunn elaborates on his earlier tweet:

He does not confirm that Zendaya will play MJ:

Yesterday, a rumor broke out that the character of Mary Jane was being played by a young black woman, Zendaya, and all hell broke out on the Internet (again). I tweeted that if people find themselves complaining about Mary Jane's ethnicity they have lives that are too good. (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. There's a good chance someone told me at one time or another, but, if so, I can't remember. I'm going to find out when I go into Marvel this afternoon, but I feel free to speak until that time because it's about the concept about a black woman playing Mary Jane, not the actuality or hypothesis of it.)

 

[Plumbob]

Does it bother folks when Hamlet is portrayed by a black man? What about when they gender flip roles in plays?

This superficial stuff is so bogus.

 

[bananafactory]

https://www.facebook.com/jgunn/posts/10153548508766157

James Gunn elaborates on his earlier tweet:

He does not confirm that Zendaya will play MJ:

Nice damage control, James

Yeah I figured his knowledge of those kind of details may be limited. Vulture and Wrap both reported it so I'm gonna assume it's true

 

[BronsonLee]

If he read the script he knows who she's playing

Shut up, James

 

[Briarios]

I'm still not convinced she's Mary Jane in the film. We haven't gotten any confirmation yet, and the character Zendaya described sounds very different - a bookworm, social outcast, unimpressed with Spiderman.

I'm fine if she is, I like her ... MJ just doesn't sound like an interesting role.

 

[Johndoey]

I don't even read comic books

Not even NFL SuperPro?

 

[Slayven]

People mighty pressed about fantasy make believe

 

[Fencedude]

People mighty pressed about fantasy make believe

So how do you feel about Carol Danvers

 

[Famassu]

I said in the movies.


I didn't said that there is a racial discrimination against white actors in Hollywood, I said that when somebody accepts one change, he has to accept another, unless (and thanks for the remark) there can't be a change because of story reasons.

You do not even know whether anyone white was "discriminated" against or whether they just happened to pick a black actor out of candidates of all colour/race (I somewhat doubt the casting director(s) were all "fuck off white women! black women in the front" when casting MJ), whereas we know that blacks, Hispanics, Asians and such are commonly discriminated against even in fucking BIOPICS where some people were originally something other than white (so we aren't even talking about fictional people, but whitewashing actual IRL people), which is why it's good that we see a bit more variety in castings of fictional people for whom skin colour/racial background doesn't matter.

 

[Exploratory]

People mighty pressed about fantasy make believe

People feel mighty pressed about a lotta things. You're posting on NeoGAF.com.

 

[Secret Fawful]

I like Zendaya as MJ way more than I like her as Michelle. I hope she really is MJ. This movie is shaping up to have such a good cast.

In fact, it would be neat for the casting to be so successful that MJ changes to a dark-haired black woman in comics from now on.

 

[Slayven]

So how do you feel about Carol Danvers

makes my IBS fleer up

People feel might pressed about a lotta things. You're posting on NeoGAF.com.

As long as I am not on CBR or Reddit i will be ok

 

[m_dorian]

I like the idea. She has a great smile. Can she act?
If yes then i see no problem with her being Mary Jane.

 

[Ponn]

I would make the argument that she's the most well known red head in comics.

Wally West always getting shit on.

 

[Broken Joystick]

I don't even read comic books

I don't even like Spider-Man.

 

[Plywood]

I don't think there's anything wrong with people wanting elements of the source material(s) to be represented in the movie however big or small.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

I don't even like Spider-Man.

But I am an expert

 

[Secret Fawful]

Just wait for the backlash when they cast Octavia Spencer as Dr. Octopus. lol That would be really fun.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

Just wait for the backlash when they cast Octavia Spencer as Dr. Octopus. lol That would be really fun.

I would take it

 

[The Kree]

Have you read the works of Immanuel Kant?

Yeah. Smart dude. Had some interesting ideas. Also, was a racist. Tried to use philosophical doublespeak to prove that negroes (and others) were inferior people.

 

[Plywood]

Just wait for the backlash when they cast Octavia Spencer as Dr. Octopus. lol That would be really fun.

That is inspired casting, lol.

 

[Cuburt]

Did people flip out like this when Harvey Dent was black in Batman 89?

Or when Kingpin was black in the 2003 Daredevil movie?

 

[bananafactory]

I would take it

Chick with 8 arms. Sounds hot.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Just wait for the backlash when they cast Octavia Spencer as Dr. Octopus. lol That would be really fun.

In that case it would really make this story more interesting

 

[Skilletor]

Yeah. Smart dude. Had some interesting ideas. Also, was a racist. Tried to use philosophical doublespeak to prove that negroes (and others) were inferior people.

Welp.

I usually take the stance that white people in the 1800s talking about universal truths and equality probably didn't mean to include people with brown skin.

 

[harSon]

Thank you Based Marvel for allowing me to experience this fuckery.

 

[Aaronology]

I would make the argument that she's the most well known red head in comics.

I think you'd lose that argument.

 

[Parallax]

I think you'd lose that argument.

i dont think so. not with jean grey

 

[Secret Fawful]

I would take it

Spidey getting that Dr. Octopussy. ;D

In that case it would really make this story more interesting

That's not Otto, that's Elton John.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

That's not Otto, that's Elton John.

lol..

 

[Aaronology]

i dont think so. not with jean grey

Poison Ivy? Barbara Gordon? Mystique?

There are a nice handful of iconically redheaded comic book characters and MJ doesn't strike me as more well known than any of those, let alone Grey.

 

[Ponn]

In that case it would really make this story more interesting

Tentacle porn is NSFW.

 

[DedValve]

I hope this MJ is not involved with any damsel in distress shit. I don't want another 3 movies of "HANG ON MARY JANE!!"

This is my biggest worry. Dgaf about how MJ looks as long as she is a strong supporting character and isn't a damsel, again.

Or make her the damsel and have Gwen save the day. Spider Gwen!

Spoiler

pls marvel.

EDIT: Was there this much outrage over a younger Aunt May?

 

[Parallax]

Poison Ivy? Barbara Gordon? Mystique?

There are a nice handful of iconically redheaded comic book characters and MJ doesn't strike me as more well known than any of those, let alone Grey.

mary jane has been in the public eye longer than any of them

 

[ryutaro's mama]

Explaining this to libertarians/children can be difficult, but not impossible.

My gawd...lol

 

[Exploratory]

Poison Ivy? Barbara Gordon? Mystique?

There are a nice handful of iconically redheaded comic book characters and MJ doesn't strike me as more well known than any of those, let alone Grey.

I think you'd lose that argument.

Nah bro I think you'd definitely lose that argument. Mystique? She wasn't even relevant until a few years ago. And J. Law doesn't have red hair unless she's in her natural state. Ivy and Barb aren't as popular either.

 

[SirClinksAlot]

Does it bother folks when Hamlet is portrayed by a black man? What about when they gender flip roles in plays?

This superficial stuff is so bogus.

I was going to go see Hamilton on Broadway but then I found out almost none of the actors are white! The horror.

 

[MHWilliams]

mary jane has been in the public eye longer than any of them

Mary Jane was pure supporting cast and not even much more than a roving girlfriend until Gwen Stacy's death in 1973.

Jean was stunting with the X-Men since 1963. Come on now.

This revisionist history always hurts.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

https://www.facebook.com/jgunn/posts/10153548508766157

James Gunn elaborates on his earlier tweet:

He does not confirm that Zendaya will play MJ:

Sounds like he...







...jumped the Gunn

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Mary Jane was pure supporting cast and not even much more than a roving girlfriend until Gwen Stacy's death in 1973.

Jean was stunting the X-Men since 1963. Come on now.

This revisionist history always hurts.

The X-Men who were cancelled due to low sales in 1969 and didn't become popular until the 80s.

 

[ryutaro's mama]

Mary Jane was pure supporting cast and not even much more than a roving girlfriend until Gwen Stacy's death in 1973.

Jean was stunting with the X-Men since 1963. Come on now.

This revisionist history always hurts.

But that doesn't fit his argument!

 

[Dai101]

Bitch the movie is in Queens NY, not Helsinki Finland

MAN. Now i feel awful for ever putting you in ignore. That was savage.

 

[Exploratory]

Mary Jane was pure supporting cast and not even much more than a roving girlfriend until Gwen Stacy's death in 1973.

Jean was stunting with the X-Men since 1963. Come on now.

This revisionist history always hurts.

I don't think it's really a matter of how long you've existed. X-Men just isn't as popular today in 2016.

 

[Jest Chillin]

I don't think it's really a matter of how long you've existed. X-Men just isn't as popular today in 2016.

By what metric? And what does that have to do with being more well known in general exactly?

 

[mocolostrocolos]

Man, the day a white guy reprises a black comic character It will be amazing.

Can't wait for white Rhodey or Cyborg.

Hell, gimme a white Luke Cage.

 

[y2dvd]

Chick with 8 arms. Sounds hot.

I understood that reference!

 

[Parallax]

Mary Jane was pure supporting cast and not even much more than a roving girlfriend until Gwen Stacy's death in 1973.

Jean was stunting with the X-Men since 1963. Come on now.

This revisionist history always hurts.

Jean at her most popular was in xmen evolution. Other than that she's been a one note lust angle for both wolverine and Cyclops in the 90s cartoon. (Her second largest role) or a one note lust note in the movies.Miss me with that revisionist bs. Thats like saying iron man was popular since he was with the avengers in the 60s.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

Should have been Donald Glover and Zendaya for max level fury.

 

[MHWilliams]

The X-Men who were cancelled due to low sales in 1969 and didn't become popular until the 80s.

With... the Dark Phoenix Saga?

And in the meantime, Jean Grey was still supporting in 70's team under the Wein and later Byrne, culminating in the first Phoenix appearance in 1976. Jean Grey has had far more impact than Mary Jane, as her own character nonetheless. Mary Jane has that one panel everyone posts - "Face it Tiger!" - and the fact that she married Spider-Man.

Jean at her most popular was in xmen evolution. Other than that she's been a one note lust angle for both wolverine and Cyclops in the 90s cartoon. (Her second largest role) or a one note lust note in the movies.Miss me with that revisionist bs. Thats like saying iron man was popular since he was with the avengers in the 60s.

Nah. This whole talk up of Jean Grey in the comics now? That's the writers talking through their characters. They can't let the character go and it's because she was such a big part of their time as readers.

I don't think it's really a matter of how long you've existed. X-Men just isn't as popular today in 2016.

I mean, if you're talking "today" then it's likely Zendaya will simply become MJ and the average viewer will move on. Because most really don't care. We care about minutiae like that.

Man, the day a white guy reprises a black comic character It will be amazing.

Can't wait for white Rhodey or Cyborg.

Hell, gimme a white Luke Cage.

Okay. When you get Luke Cage, War Machine, and Cyborg adaptations on the regular, I'm down. Seriously. Though I'd go Asian or Hispanic with Cage first.

 

[Hades Hotgun]

It is weird to see such passionate arguments over Mary Jane vs Jean Grey's popularity.

They are both pretty comparable, with each only being famous for having appeared in movies and 90's cartoon series and neither being extraordinarily more prominent than the other.

Jean has technically been around longer but was not a major figure even in the X-Men until the Phoenix Saga, which is really all she has been famous for since. Mary Jane is famous for being Peter's girlfriend then wife.

Do you all really think there is some significant gulf between these two in terms of recognition?