Zendaya to return as MJ with smaller but key role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
While her screen time is expected to be limited, sources suggest her character will still play a meaningful part in the story. The decision appears to align with the narrative direction established at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, is forgotten by everyone following a spell cast by Doctor Strange to repair the multiverse.
In the film's closing scenes, Peter visits MJ at a coffee shop but chooses not to reveal their shared past. This reset placed him in a new chapter of his life, disconnected from his former allies and navigating life on his own.
Fans online speculate MJ's absence will loom over Peter during Brand New Day, with some predicting she will return near the film's end, potentially rekindling their connection.
This shift also reflects a broader change in the character's arc. For the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Peter will be portrayed as a more grounded, street-level superhero, without the backing of the Avengers or Stark technology.
Zendaya's reduced involvement may also be influenced by her commitments to other major projects, including Euphoria Season 3 and Dune: Part Three.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to be released on July 31 2026.
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