What sets Michelle Jones, known as MJ in this MCU version, apart from other portrayals of Peter Parker’s girlfriends? Notably, they quickly became a couple in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’
However, further details suggest something more: MJ seemed to have suspicions about Pete’s secret identity as Spider-Man for quite some time.
Was this merely a coincidence? Or was it a deliberate plot choice, distinct from previous Sony versions of Spider-Man? Here’s a hint for you: This MJ is something of a pro stalker.
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This MJ Is Totally Different From Other “MJs”
Unlike previous portrayals of Peter’s girlfriends, this MJ is more proactive in her approach towards Peter Parker and quickly discovers his identity on her own.
Those familiar with the Sony Spider-Man films will recognize a distinct contrast: Peter’s previous girlfriends – Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy, were set as destined partners for Spider-Man.
In Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Mary Jane Watson is portrayed as an emotional and dreamy girl. This portrayal underpins her genuine affection for Peter Parker and set her as Spider-Man’s intended girlfriend throughout the series.
![Mary Jane confesses her love to Peter Parker - Spider-Man 2002 [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6mpuvP2GdwA/0.jpg)
Conversely, Andrew Garfield’s portrayal alongside Gwen Stacy presents a different dynamic. They are depicted as confident and intelligent, freely expressing their feelings.
Their relationship evolves quickly, working well not only romantically but also as partners in Spider-Man’s adventures.
However, Michelle Jones, or MJ, in the MCU, stands out from previous iterations.
She is portrayed as smart, dry-witted, observant, and—unlike the earlier portrayals of Peter’s girlfriends—she is also somewhat mysterious and cool.
In “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” Tom Holland’s Peter initially has a crush on another girl, positioning MJ’s role in the first film as primarily that of a sarcastic commentator.
Yet, her commentary is not random; it appears she has a specific target: Peter Parker.
This brings us to a difference: although the 2 previous “MJs” were indeed intelligent, this MJ is the only one who identifies Spider-Man’s true identity before Peter himself confirms it (though she is only 60-70% certain).
So, how did she manage to figure that out?
MJ Paid Attention to Peter Parker for Quite Some Time
MJ is often seen observing Peter and his friend Ned from a distance, standing out due to her quirky remarks and keen observational skills.
Trust me, Zendaya might play MJ as a strong and smart high school girl, but her uniquely suspicious glances at Pete are a class apart.
She specifically mentions how Peter dropped the robotics club, indicating that she has been paying attention to him for quite some time, despite her outward denials.
Additionally, if you pay attention in detail: MJ sits close to Peter in chemistry class, giving her a chance to notice his secretive web fluid creations.
Moreover, in “Homecoming,” besides Ned, MJ is the character who appears most frequently with Peter among his friends. For instance, she is present in the detention room with Peter even though she didn’t have any.
And of course, we can’t overlook the detail where she follows Peter when he skips the opera, revealing that she has been paying close attention to him.
At this point, it’s clear that MJ didn’t just casually observe Peter enough to deduce his Spider-Man identity. Indeed, she can read Peter like a book!
MJ Can Read Peter’s Intentions
Throughout the recent Spider-Man trilogy, if you examine the films collectively, you’ll notice that MJ often predicts Peter Parker’s next move, whether his intentions are ordinary or extra-ordinary.
For instance, consider the home party scene in “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” After Peter and Ned rehearse their plan to impress everyone with a Spider-Man appearance, MJ shows up almost immediately.
And let’s not forget the moment at the end of this movie when she looks at Peter and says, “What are you hiding, Peter?”—a moment that is truly freezing 🥶
During the trip to Europe, when Peter plans to slip away from the group to buy a gift for MJ, she quickly picks up on his intentions and decides to join him.
Moreover, in the battle at the opera in “Homecoming,” she accurately guesses Peter’s intention to sneak out and fight the Elemental, appearing in the scene shortly after.
While these instances may not definitively suggest that MJ knew about Peter Parker being Spider-Man from the start, they clearly show that she has a knack for catching Pete whenever he is about to act out of the ordinary.
Wrap Things Up
The relationship of Pete and MJ is built up quite unique: not a close friendship nor explicitly romantic at first. Her initial interest in him appears driven more by curiosity than affection.
This dynamic allows MJ to observe Peter keenly and approach him openly without hesitation or shyness.
Critics have described their relationship chemistry as “awkward,” but I believe this unique charisma forms an essential part of their story: an “observing” girl and a “sneaky” boy.
In the ending of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” there’s a poignant moment when Peter visits the coffee shop where MJ works.
She doesn’t remember him (of course) but senses something familiar about him—that’s the charisma I’m talking about!
To wrap things up: it’s an undeniable fact that every Spider-Man must be smart. This Michelle Jones—MJ—is not just smart; she’s brave enough to swing along with Spider-Man!
What do you think? Is this MCU version of MJ the perfect match for our Spidey? Share your thoughts!