Summary

  • Zendaya's MJ could return to the MCU in Spider-Man 4, as hinted by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
  • Despite forgetting Peter Parker, MJ likely remembers her interactions with Spider-Man, setting the stage for a reunion.
  • With Euphoria delayed, Zendaya's schedule aligns for a return as MJ in Spider-Man 4, adding an exciting twist to her character.

Recent rumors have suggested that Zendaya’s Michelle Jones-Watson will be returning to the MCU in Spider-Man 4, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness already gave a hint at how this could be possible. MJ, like the rest of the world, forgot who Peter Parker was at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. This initially raised a question as to whether she would return for any new Spider-Man movies. However, recent reports suggest that Zendaya’s series Euphoria has been delayed to accommodate her filming Spider-Man 4.

Though some might wonder how MJ could come back in the plot of Spider-Man 4 after forgetting about Peter Parker, the MCU timeline already hinted at how this could work. A throwaway line in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness proved how Marvel could bring people back into Spider-Man’s life, without going against the rules of the spell. This could mean that Peter might not be as isolated in Spider-Man 4 as it previously seemed.

Zendaya's MJ in Spider-Man: No Way Home against a flashy background
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Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Confirmed People Remember Spider-Man

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Takes Place After Spider-Man: No Way Home

Doctor Strange showing off his third eye at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange is discussing the multiverse with America Chavez. During the conversation, he mentions an “incident with Spider-Man”, referring to the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. This confirms that No Way Home already happened, and that Doctor Strange still remembers Spider-Man.

As such, the line means that, while everyone forgot about Peter Parker, they still remember Spider-Man and the times they interacted with him. This means the Avengers he fought with in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame all seemingly remember their time with him, just not his true identity. This would also mean MJ, Ned, and even some of Peter’s other school friends might still remember the times they interacted with Spider-Man.

Everything MJ Remembers About Spider-Man Explained

MJ Interacted With Spider-Man Before Knowing He Was Peter

Since the rules of Doctor Strange’s spell haven’t been fully explained, it’s hard to say for sure what MJ would and wouldn’t remember about Spider-Man. However, if Doctor Strange remembers events with Spider-Man after already knowing his true identity, then it's safe to assume the same would apply to MJ. This means she probably remembers every time she interacted with Spider-Man when he was performing heroic deeds.

That would suggest MJ likely remembers the incident at the Washington Monument in Spider-Man: Homecoming when she briefly talked to Spider-Man outside. She likely also remembers him saving Ned in Prague, though she might think that was Night Monkey, since she wouldn’t know it was Peter in a different suit. Though MJ potentially remembers Spider-Man being in London at the same time as her, it’s hard to say how much she remembers their actual interactions. It seems unlikely, for example, that she would remember kissing him on the bridge.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is the trickiest, since most of MJ’s involvement with Spider-Man in the movie is directly because she knows he’s Peter and she’s trying to help him. MJ may remember the events as something she and Ned just got wrapped up in, or the entirety of the third movie may have been wiped by the spell. MJ likely also remembers any general news about Spider-Man that she would have seen, but just does not remember that she knew him personally.

MJ And Ned Are Going To College Together After Spider-Man: No Way Home

MJ and Ned Leeds opening a portal in Spider-Man No Way Home

Although MJ doesn’t remember Peter Parker, she would still have memories of Spider-Man being nearby an awful lot of the time, having just so happened to encounter the hero in DC and two European countries. This might get her suspicious that Spider-Man is someone she knows, similar to how she figured out it was Peter in the first place. It’s possible MJ could try to contact Spider-Man, thinking the hero was someone else she knows, or just reach out for help since he has saved her friends in the past.

Alternatively, Ned might remember working with Spider-Man in some capacity, even if he doesn’t remember Spidey’s true identity. If Ned had some discreet way of contacting Spider-Man that wouldn’t alert people to the fact that it was Peter, this may still be an open line of communication between the two of them. Since Ned and MJ are still friends, this could lead to the two of them meeting up with Spider-Man for some reason in Spider-Man 4, not realizing they are reuniting the trio.

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