Zendaya’s MJ has become an important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s take on Spider-Man stories, and reports indicate the actress will return in Spider-Man 4. Although full cast details about Spider-Man 4 are not yet known, Peter’s relationships with MJ and Ned have been fundamental to the MCU’s movies. With a blossoming romance with the former and a sweet and playful friendship with the latter, Jon Watts made character relationships one of the most important components of his Spider-Man trilogy. With all of these characters and dynamics so well established, audiences yearn to see more interactions between them.

The plot of Spider-Man 4 is not currently known, but rumors and speculation have swirled about the film’s story and characters, including the possible introduction of Sydney Sweeney as Black Cat. While the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home set up a new chapter for Peter, independent of his relationship with MJ, it is notable that series scribes Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna are attached for the fourth installment, suggesting there may be more connective tissue than expected. Following this, it would make sense for Zendaya to return to Spider-Man 4, and there are several ways this could be done.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Can Fulfill His Promise To MJ From No Way Home

Peter Parker Broke His Promise In No Way Home’s Conclusion

Zendaya could return as MJ in Spider-Man 4 in many ways. Before their memories were wiped, Peter Parker promised to tell MJ and Ned who he is after they’d forgotten him in Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s final act. The hero did not do this, assuming that their lives would be better off without the pressure of his identity on them. Peter sacrifices his happiness for what he believes will make his friends’ lives better. However, Ned and MJ clearly loved Peter, and had already told him that knowing the truth was what they wanted.

Peter has the responsibility to tell MJ who he is, both for his own sake and for hers. This was MJ’s decision, and she wishes to stand beside him throughout whatever he goes through, no matter how difficult that might get. Following this, Spider-Man 4 has the opportunity to allow Peter to reveal himself to MJ. By doing this, she could be reintroduced into the story while allowing for a new and interesting dynamic between the characters as they look to rekindle something they once had.

Tom Holland’s Peter Parker Could Start Over With Zendaya’s MJ

The Two MCU Characters Could Have A Fresh Start

Another option for the characters would be for Peter Parker not to reveal his identity to MJ, allowing them to pursue a relationship without her knowing about their past. While this might come off as dishonest, it would allow Peter to have a relationship with the person he loves without complicating their life. Peter may wish to keep his personal and his superhero lives separate, and doing this would allow for him to do so. This could also allow for fun interactions as Peter is integrated into MJ’s social life and reintroduced to characters like Flash Thompson and Ned Leeds.

Inevitably, this would have to lead to Peter eventually revealing his identity to MJ. Audiences would not be comfortable with a dishonest Spider-Man, which would have to be done away with sooner rather than later. While there are many fun twists to his relationships that this could do, the fact is that it would feel false to most viewers. Especially following Peter’s promise to tell MJ who he is at the end of No Way Home, this solution would have to be only used for a very short time before being done away with.

Zendaya Could Appear As An MJ Variant And Finally Play Mary Jane Watson

The MCU Has Tended To Feature Comic-Accurate Iterations Of Characters

Spider-Man 4 is likely to be released before the Multiverse Saga ends and, while not every film in the saga has played into multiversal elements, it would make sense for the followup to No Way Home to engage with the multiverse in some capacity. Following the discovery of other universes and other iterations of himself, there is the potential for a comic-accurate version of MJ to exist in the multiverse. Played by Zendaya, this new version could be the opportunity to pursue a new and interesting relationship development between the two characters.

There are precedents for both aspects of this. After Gamora died in Avengers: Infinity War, the character returned as a variant, leading to creative relationship dynamics in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. On the other hand, other variants like Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine have allowed the franchise to use more comic-accurate versions of its characters. Following these precedents, introducing a red-haired Mary Jane Watson played by Zendaya could be an interesting way to further the relationship between the two leads.

Why Zendaya’s MJ Is So Important To Include In Spider-Man 4

Zendaya Has Been Integral To The MCU’s Spider-Man Series

However it is accomplished, Zendaya’s return in Spider-Man 4 is necessary. The relationship between Tom Holland’s Peter Parker and Zendaya’s MJ has been the heart of this franchise, and the effect of removing her from the forthcoming sequels would be awful. Zendaya’s star has only risen in Hollywood in the years since, starring in Dune and Challengers, and many audiences come to these Spider-Man movies to see her relationship with her real-life boyfriend Holland displayed in exciting ways onscreen.

Seeing Holland in another romantic relationship with someone like Felicia Hardy or Gwen Stacy would feel hollow in the MCU. Peter Parker has met other iterations of himself from other universes, and he knows how important MJ is to the Tobey Maguire version of himself. Following this, it would seem that the two are fated together, and any attempt to pivot in another direction would not be effective. Zendaya is needed in Spider-Man 4 and is perhaps the most important character to the story besides Peter Parker himself.

Spider-Man 4 has quickly become one of the most anticipated movies in the MCU, and the film will likely be a massive hit. However, in order to ensure this occurs, major components of the franchise will need to be preserved. Zendaya has been a part of this Spider-Man’s story since Spider-Man: Homecoming, and the idea of doing a sequel without her would be ill-advised. However the creatives can make it work within the story, including Zendaya as MJ in Spider-Man 4 must be a high priority for the studios.