Zendaya’s return in Spider-Man 4 will be put in jeopardy after a rumored shift in storyline will likely push her to an extended cameo in the film.

In the final scenes of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker tries to reintroduce himself to Zendaya’s MJ but eventually decides against it. Strange’s spell made everyone forget who Peter was, including MJ and Ned. Fans have since speculated that a fourth Spider-Man film will move away from Zendaya as the female lead of the films.

The worries of Zendaya leaving the franchise forever could be real after an industry insider reported that she would not return for a cameo appearance in Spider-Man 4. Moreover, the Challengers actress will focus on other promising projects, including Dune 3 and Euphoria Season 3.

Zendaya Will Not Sign Up For A Cameo Appearance In Spider-Man 4

After confessing their love in Spider-Man: Far from Home, Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker and Zendaya‘s MJ hardly spend any time together before they are pushed into another adventure. The adventure made two of the most important people in Peter’s life forget about him—MJ and Ned—along with the rest of the world.

During a Q&A session, industry insiders at The Cosmic Circus suggested that there was a story shift for the fourth Spider-Man film. According to this new story for the character, the spell cast by Doctor Strange will eventually be broken in the film. One fan asked whether the new story shift would bench Zendaya’s character or bring her for an extended cameo.

Alex at The Cosmic Circus didn’t have anything to comment on Zendaya’s role in the film, but he could say one thing with surety. He shared, “Zendaya will not sign up for a cameo appearance.” The comment has made fans even more worried about the Malcolm & Marie star returning to the MCU.

Zendaya has won two Emmys and one Golden Globe for her performance as Rue Bennett in Euphoria. Earlier in July 2024, it was confirmed that she would be joining her Emmy-winning series for a third season (via Variety). It is likely that she would focus more on Euphoria Season 3 and other promising projects with meatier roles, instead of an extended cameo appearance.

Gwen Stacy Could Be Brought In To Replace Zendaya’s MJ In Spider-Man 4

Some fans speculate that the character Gwen Stacy will appear in Spider-Man 4, potentially replacing Zendaya’s MJ. According to a fan theory on Reddit, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will probably start attending Empire State University (ESU) in Spider-Man 4. He will work at the Daily Bugle to pay his bills and meet Gwen Stacy at the University.

They expect this phase of Peter Parker to extend into a trilogy of movies where various villains will appear. The theory also suggests that Holland’s character will don the black symbiote suit. Spider-Man in the black suit will be more aggressive due to the symbiote, but will ultimately come to an agreement with it.

One twist that the theory provides to Gwen Stacy is that she adopts the costumed identity of the Black Cat, a revelation made only at the end of the film. In the comics, the character Felicia Hardy dons the Black Cat suit, a burglar, who briefly comes head-to-head against the web-slinger.

The last plot twist in the theory also alludes to another theory that suggests Syndey Sweeney could be brought in to play the role of Gwen Stacy in the film. THR recently reported that Marvel is in talks with Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton to helm the fourth Spidey film.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is now available for streaming on FX Now. The first two Spider-Man films are now available on Disney+.