Zendaya Is Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man: Homecoming?

Before production started onSpider-Man: Homecoming, we knew thatTom Hollandwas playing Peter Parker,Marisa Tomeiwas playing Aunt May, andRobert Downey Jr.was returning as Tony Stark/Iron Man fromCaptain America: Civil War. While several cast members signed on before filming began this summer, no further characters were confirmed until Comic-Con, when directorJon Wattsannounced severalcharacter names, includingTony Revolorias Flash Thompson,Zendayaas Michelle,Jacob Batalonas Ned andLaura Harrieras Liz. If a new report is to be believed, then it seems the director was trying to conceal the true identity ofZendaya’s character. There will be potential SPOILERS below, so read on at your own risk.

The Wraphas learned thatZendayais actually playing Mary-Jane Watson. Neither Sony nor Marvel would confirm the report, and it seems unlikely that we’ll get any confirmation until the movie hits theaters, or possibly when the first trailer arrives at some point next year, or perhaps even early this year. There had long been speculation that her character Michelle was just a ruse, although some believed that her character is actually Michelle Gonzales, a recent addition to the comic book continuity who Peter Parker first meets as an adult.

There have also recently been rumors that new casting additionAngourie Rice, who is coming off a breakout role inThe Nice GuysasRyan Gosling’s precocious daughter, is actually playingGwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s other famous girlfriend from the Marvel Comics. Both Mary Jane and Gwen have been portrayed on the big screen before, withKirsten Dunstplaying Mary Jane inSam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy, andEmma Stoneplaying Gwen Stacy inThe Amazing Spider-ManandThe Amazing Spider-Man 2. Regardless of the rumors,Angourie Rice’s character has yet to be confirmed.

Michael Chernusrecently joinedSpider-Man: HomecomingasThe Tinkerer. He joins a massive cast that also includes Michael Keaton as the main villain Vulture along withMichael Barbieri,Martin Starr,Isabella Amara,Jorge Lendenborg Jr.,J.J. Totah,Donald Glover,Kenneth Choi,Hannibal Buress,Bokeem Wodbine,Michael MandoandAbraham Attahin unspecified roles. Rumors have surfaced thatMichael Mandois playing the villainCarnage, whileAbaraham Attahis rumored to play Miles Morales, but it isn’t known when we’ll get confirmation on these characters.

Jon Watts(Cop Car) is directingSpider-Man: Homecomingfrom a script byJohn Francis DaleyandJonathan M. Goldstein(Vacation).Kevin FeigeandAmy Pascalare producing, with Marvel and Sony setting a August 19, 2025 release date. As of now, the superhero movie has that date to itself, but it will open one week before 20th Century Fox’sWar For the Planet of the Apesand a week afterUncharted,Despicable Me 3andThe House. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more updates as soon as they come in.