Zendaya is speculated to return as MJ in the MCU’s future, despite forgetting Peter Parker in the emotional ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Zendaya could be returning as Marvel Studios’ MJ Watson, despite forgetting Peter Parker at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Zendaya debuted in the MCU back in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, introduced as Michelle Jones-Watson, but later revealed to be the MCU’s version of Marvel Comics’ Mary Jane Watson, a.k.a. MJ, Peter Parker’s long-running love interest. Zendaya reprised the role in 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home and 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, but MJ’s future in the MCU is uncertain after the latter’s events, though Zendaya has been rumored to return in Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man 4.

After the world learned Spider-Man’s identity in Far From Home, Doctor Strange’s botched memory-wipe spell in No Way Home brought characters from alternate realities into the MCU’s main continuity, endangering the stability of the multiverse. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man realized the only way to protect the multiverse would be to make everyone forget him again, including his closest friends. Parker elected not to remind Ned and MJ of their prior relationships with him in Spider-Man: No Way Home’s emotional ending, leaving their MCU futures uncertain, but there are several storylines that could bring Zendaya’s MJ back in Spider-Man 4 and beyond.

10. Zendaya’s MJ Could Become Spider-Woman

MJ Becoming Spider-Woman Would Be A Great Evolution For The Character

While Marvel Comics’ main version of Mary Jane never became Spider-Woman, several iterations of the character from alternate realities adopted this moniker. Most notably, MJ’s Spider-Woman operates as a member of the Avengers in Marvel Comics’ Exiles timelines, which could set up a more heroic future for Zendaya’s MJ in the MCU. Seeing MJ become Spider-Woman in the MCU would be a fantastic next step for her character, particularly since this could bring her back into contact with Peter Parker, potentially even reviving their relationship.

MCU’s Upcoming Spider-Man Projects Could Introduce Several New Spider-People

Since the MCU’s Spider-Man 4 is expected to take place in the Multiverse Saga, different versions of Spider-Man could make appearances in the project. Sony’s animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse showed the potential of this with the introduction of the Spider Society. To this end, MJ’s Spider-Woman could journey into the MCU from an alternate universe, perhaps alongside the likes of Spider-Gwen and Miles Morales.

9. Zendaya’s MJ Could Start Her Band, The Mary Janes, With Gwen Stacy

MJ Started The Mary Janes In Spider-Gwen’s Alternate Reality In Marvel Comics

The Mary Janes was a band first seen in 2014’s Edge of Spider-Verse #2, brought together by a teenage Mary Jane with her best friend, Gwen Stacy, on Earth-65. Zendaya’s MJ hasn’t shown an affinity towards music, but it would be a fun inclusion to see her form or join a band in the MCU, moving on with her life following her forgotten experiences with Spider-Man. This could also be a great way to introduce Gwen Stacy to the MCU, perhaps setting up a new love interest for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker.

MJ’s Mary Janes Made An Appearance In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

There is already precedence for the Mary Janes to appear in the live-action MCU, as the band showed up in the opening moments of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen Stacy, a.k.a. Earth-65’s Spider-Woman, was featured as the drummer of Across the Spider-Verse’s Mary Janes. MJ herself could also be seen as the Mary Janes’ lead singer.

8. Zendaya’s MJ Could Move On After Forgetting Peter Parker

MJ Has Many More Love-Interests After Peter Parker

Peter Parker and Mary Jane’s relationship in Marvel Comics is tumultuous, with the pair breaking up and rekindling their romance many times. This created many opportunities for both to explore other romantic pursuits, which would be great to see in the MCU. This could lead to the MCU debut of Harry Osborn, Peter Parker’s best friend, or even the likes of Jason Jerome, Bobby Carr and Paul Rabin. After No Way Home, there’s no reason for Peter and MJ to simply move on.

Peter Parker Could Also Have New Love-Interests In Future Spider-Man Projects

While new love interests for MJ could be explored in Spider-Man 4, the same can also be done for Peter Parker. The likes of Gwen Stacy, Felicia Hardy’s Black Cat, Silver Sable, Kitty Pryde’s Shadowcat and Cindy Moon’s Silk could all be introduced. This presents the perfect opportunity for new Spider-Man-related heroes and villains to appear, though Peter Parker and MJ will surely end up together eventually.

7. Zendaya’s MJ Could Be Attacked By Venom

Venom’s MCU Debut Was Teased In Spider-Man: No Way Home

The alien symbiote Venom is one of Spider-Man’s most iconic adversaries in Marvel Comics, but the pair haven’t been seen together in the MCU yet. Doctor Strange’s No Way Home spell somehow brought Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock into the MCU from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, and he left a piece of Venom behind when he returned home. This sets up Venom as a foe in Spider-Man 4, and MJ would be a brilliant target for the villain, perhaps opening the door for Spider-Man to get his legendary black suit.

Venom Needs To Continue In The MCU

Sony’s Tom Hardy-led Venom franchise has delivered the most popular installments of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. However, Eddie Brock’s story will come to an end in 2024’s Venom: The Last Dance. This makes Venom’s inclusion in the MCU even more important, as the villain is running the risk of never meeting Spider-Man, and there are still many Venom stories left to be told.

Note: Venom could bond with any number of MCU characters in the future, including Flash Thompson and Mac Gargan, who are two of Venom’s hosts in Marvel Comics.

6. Zendaya’s MJ Could Become An Actor Alongside Another MCU Hero

MJ Becomes An Acclaimed Actor In Marvel Comics

MJ’s primary vocation in Marvel Comics sees her become an acclaimed Hollywood actor, so this is a clear route for her to take in the MCU’s future. In fact, this could establish a connection to Marvel Studios’ upcoming Wonder Man series, as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Simon Williams, a.k.a. Wonder Man, also becomes a Hollywood star, as well as a superhero. In this way, Zendaya’s MJ could find herself embroiled in the world of superheroes again, though potentially not the continuing story of Peter Parker’s Spider-Man.

Several MCU Characters Could Debut In Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man Series

The MCU’s upcoming Wonder Man series doesn’t yet have a release date. However, since filming is almost complete on the series, it’s likely it will premiere in Phase 5 or 6. This means that several of the MCU’s current heroes could make cameo appearances in Wonder Man, particularly since Simon Williams is not only a Hollywood actor, but also a prominent member of the Avengers.

5. Zendaya’s MJ Could Make A Deal With Mephisto

MJ’s Deal With Mephisto Causes Many Problems In Marvel Comics

During 2007’s One More Day storyline, Peter Parker and MJ meet with the demon Mephisto in the hopes of saving Aunt May’s life, who had been shot by Kingpin. Mephisto agrees to help, on the condition that he wipes the knowledge and memory of Peter and MJ’s life together. MJ accepts the deal, hoping for a better life for Peter, establishing a new timeline where Peter and MJ were never married. Zendaya’s MJ could make a similar deal, only in reverse, returning her memories of Peter Parker, but at a cost.

Mephisto Has Been Teased In The MCU For Years

Marvel Studios has hinted at Mephisto’s MCU debut for years, dating back to Phase 1. Mephisto has been mentioned or teased relentlessly in projects such as The Avengers, WandaVision, Loki and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, hinting at his upcoming debut in the MCU. Recent speculation suggests the demon could appear in Agatha or Ironheart, though only time will tell.

Tip: Rumors suggest Sacha Baron Cohen may play Mephisto in the MCU.

4. Zendaya’s MJ Could Be Targeted By Kingpin

Kingpin Has Been Set Up As A Major Villain For Spider-Man 4

Marvel Studios’ recent street-level projects have been establishing Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, as a major threat. Following his appearance in Marvel Television’s Daredevil, Kingpin appeared in Hawkeye, and has made a further appearance in Echo ahead of his co-starring spot in Daredevil: Born Again. Originally a Spider-Man villain in Marvel Comics, Kingpin would be a brilliant adversary to Tom Holland’s wall-crawler in Spider-Man 4, and he may taunt Spider-Man by going after those he loves, including MJ.

Kingpin’s Archenemy In The MCU Has Been Rumored To Appear In Spider-Man 4

Even though Kingpin was originally a foe of Spider-Man in Marvel Comics, he has become better known as the archenemy to Matt Murdock’s Daredevil. Interestingly, Charlie Cox is rumored to be returning as Daredevil, another street-level hero in New York City, in Spider-Man 4. This could see Daredevil assume the mentorship role that was previously filled by Iron Man and Doctor Strange, and could bring them both to blows with Kingpin.

3. Zendaya’s MJ Could Get A Job At Stark Industries

MJ Worked Alongside Tony Stark’s Iron Man In Marvel Comics

After a battle between Iron Man, Doctor Doom and Madame Masque destroys her club, MJ is offered a job to work at Stark Industries, and becomes an executive administrator for Iron Man’s company. MJ worked for Stark Industries for several years between the beginning of 2015’s All New, All Different Marvel event and the Fresh Start relaunch in 2018. While the status of Stark Industries is unclear after Tony Stark’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, this could be a great way for MJ to prove her technical know-how in the MCU.

Stark Industries’ Future In The MCU Is Uncertain

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark departed the MCU after defeating Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. This has left the fate of Stark Industries unclear, though it’s likely the company is still running under a new CEO, probably not Pepper Potts. Stark Industries may reappear during Marvel Studios’ upcoming Armor Wars, which could even see Don Cheadle’s Rhodey take over the company.

2. Zendaya’s MJ Could Become Jackpot

MJ Could Become A New MCU Hero In Spider-Man 4 & Beyond

While MJ’s MCU future could see her become a version of Spider-Woman, it’s more likely she will adopt her Earth-616 superhero moniker of Jackpot. After becoming trapped in an alternate reality and building a life with Paul Rabin, MJ returned with a device that, when used, gifted her a random superpower. She became the superhero Jackpot to deal with the deaths of her children, so Zendaya’s MJ could assume this role to deal with the void left by Peter Parker’s erasure.

Jackpot Is The Perfect Hero For The MCU’s Multiverse Saga

The fact that MJ’s backstory as Jackpot lies with her being trapped in an alternate universe means this is the perfect story for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Although it’s unclear how Zendaya’s MJ may become stuck in another reality, this kind of plot is very possible in Spider-Man 4. This is especially true after recent rumors regarding disputes over whether Spider-Man 4 should be a multiverse or street-level story.

1. Zendaya’s MJ Could Remember Peter Parker

MJ May Have Recognized Peter Parker At The End Of Spider-Man: No Way Home

Of course, the most satisfying story to tell in Zendaya’s future as the MCU’s MJ would be to have her simply remember her time with Peter Parker. At the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, there was a small moment of recognition from MJ, suggesting her memories of Peter could come back naturally. This would allow the pair to pick up where they left off, though this may be seen as something as a cop-out from Marvel Studios.

MJ & Peter Parker Have A Huge Marvel Comics History That Hasn’t Been Explored In The MCU

Marvel Studios has barely scratched the surface of MJ and Peter Parker’s extensive Marvel Comics history. This means it’d be a mistake for Zendaya not to return as MJ Watson, especially since she’s been the driving force behind many of Spider-Man’s superhero antics in the MCU, and it would be hard to imagine anyone else supporting him as she does. Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed her return, however, so only time will tell.