Stan Lee Endorses Zendaya As Mary Jane In 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'
This past week it was announced that Zendaya would be portraying Mary Jane Watson in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming film, which is a monumental step forward for the Spider-Man cinematic universe considering Watson has always been portrayed by a white woman.
Inevitably, comic book purists complained about the change. But for the most part, a lot of people have been very supportive of the casting — including Spider-Man creator and former Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief Stan Lee.
During an interview with the Toronto Sun Lee voiced his thoughts on the classic Mary Jane Watson role going to Zendaya, offering a simple but positive opinion.
"If she is as good an actress as I hear she is, I think it'll be absolutely wonderful," he said. He then goes on to say how such a change isn't new for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alluding to Michael Clarke Duncan portraying Kingpin in the Daredevil movie; Idris Elba as Heimdall in Thor; and Michael B. Jordan as the Human Torch in Fantastic Four. And before the end of the year we'll see Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo in Doctor Strange, while Tessa Thomspon will serve as the Asgardian warrior Valkyrie in next year's Thor: Ragnarok.
Prior to the announcement all that was known about Zendaya's involvement in Spider-Man: Homecoming was that she would be playing a character named Michelle. The film's cast also includes: Logan Marshall-Green, Robert Downey Jr., Hannibal Buress, Donald Glover, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton, Kenneth Choi and, of course, Tom Holland. Holland made his debut as Spider-Man (and Peter Parker) earlier this year with Captain America: Civil War. The film will be directed by Jon Watts and produced by Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige. Although we probably won't be getting a Miles Morales in Homecoming, at least we'll be getting our first black Mary Jane with Zendaya.
Spider-Man: Homecoming will hit theaters next year on July 7, 2017.
