Zendaya's rendition of MJ in the Spider-Man films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe puts a different spin on the character in several ways. The films clearly intended to flip the script on Peter Parker's definitive girlfriend character, and it has stirred both controversy and adulation from different subsets of the audience.

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That said, the film adaptation of MJ is also quite faithful to the Mary Jane we know from the comics in several aspects as well. This is also clearly a deliberate effort, and the observant viewer will pick up on the qualities that carried over from the comic to the film version of Mary Jane. Today, we are going to cover those differences and similarities between the two MJ's.

10 DIFFERENT: Punk Rock Teenager VS. Actress/Model

The first and most obvious difference between the MJ of the comics and the MCU films is their self-presentation and apparent goals in life. The Mary Jane of the Marvel comics went into acting & modeling and clearly put a lot of thought and effort into appearance (though this is also just the nature of comic art in the era). Meanwhile, the MJ of the film doesn't worry too much about she presents herself to others and often gives off the vibe of an angsty punk rocker. On top of that, she is clearly more interested in where her intellectual pursuits will take her in life.

9 SAME: Getting The Better Of Spider-Man

One thing they have in common is their relationship with Peter Parker/Spider-Man. This isn't just referring to their romantic connection with Peter; they also have a tendency to get the better of him. Peter Parker isn't the most confident guy in the world, though his identity of Spider-Man gives him some freedom to show some bravado. In both instances, MJ is known to leave Peter stammering, nervous, and overwhelmed– but in a good way.

8 DIFFERENT: Age

Zendaya's Michelle Jones "MJ" sitting at a desk and sketching in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Age is another difference, at least in regards to the traditional 616 (Mainstream Marvel Universe) Mary Jane versus the film rendition. Peter and Mary Jane met when the two were college-aged in the comics, and their relationship didn't begin until some time after that. This means that the two have more concretely developed their identities.

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The Peter and MJ of the movies are both still in high school and have already begun dating. This means that they don't quite know who the other is going to become, let alone themselves. It will be interesting to watch Peter and MJ experience those growing pains in the movies to come.

7 SAME: Confident In Who They Are

Zendaya in Spider-Man: Homecoming

Both Mary Janes are very confident in their identity. The Mary Jane of the comics knows that she is well-suited to acting & modeling and never gave a second thought to it, and the MJ of the movies is completely confident in her intellect, wit, and personality. Neither one feels dependent on anyone else to feel fulfilled or realized, and it's one of the things that makes them such compelling characters.

6 DIFFERENT: Still Socially Awkward Though

Zendaya in Spider-Man: Homecoming

That said, the MJ of Homecoming and Far From Home is fairly socially awkward. She's sarcastic and can crack a one-liner, but she isn't quite as brash and confident in conversation as the Mary Jane of the Marvel comics. Of course, she's still a teenager, and there are very few teenagers who could be described as confident conversationalists.

5 SAME: The "True Love" Factor

Both MJs are also presented as the "correct choice" for Spider-Man over another woman in Peter's life. In the movies, it's Liz Allen who turns out to be the daughter of the Vulture and is transferred after Adrian Toomes is caught by Spider-Man. In the comics, it's still Liz Allen but also, somewhat morbidly, Gwen Stacy.

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Liz had a crush on Peter in the comics, but he decides to date Mary Jane instead. Of course, Peter is only put in this position because the Green Goblin killed Gwen Stacy, to whom Mary Jane was a close friend and initially even resembled. It's all a little weird and, as already stated, morbid.

4 DIFFERENT: Damsel In Distress

Thanks to the era that Mary Jane was initially introduced in the comics, there are plenty of times in which she is presented as the helpless damsel that must be saved by Spider-Man. This has changed quite a bit over the years, and Mary Jane isn't so helpless in the comics anymore. While Spider-Man has technically saved MJ in both Homecoming and Far From Home, she's far from a helpless damsel. In Far From Home, we get to watch her use a Medieval mace to club Mysterio's attack drones.

3 SAME: The Secret Identity

Both MJs have also managed to discern the secret identity of Spider-Man without being directly told it. MJ largely suspected it in the movies and reveals her suspicions in Far From Home. Peter arguably has to confirm her suspicions, as MJ says she was only "67%" sure. That said, she still got pretty far on her own. In the comics, Mary Jane suspected it after Spider-Man blew off several dates, and she revealed her knowledge to Peter after an attack from the Puma (of all villains.)

2 DIFFERENT: The Secret Identity Again

Spider-Man-Unmasking

Both MJ's have had to deal with Spider-Man's secret identity getting revealed to the public but at very different stages in the relationship and in life. In the comics, Mary Jane didn't have to deal with this until after they had been married for a long time, and Spider-Man willingly revealed his secret identity as part of the rollout of the Superhuman Registration Act that led to the Civil War story. This had immediate consequences, namely, Kingpin hiring an assassin to kill Spider-Man but mortally wounding Aunt May instead– leading to "Back in Black," "One More Day," a deal with the literal devil known as Mephisto, and "Brand New Day." By contrast, the MJ of the MCU has barely started her romantic relationship with Peter Parker when J. Jonah Jameson, with the help of Mysterio, reveals Spider-Man's secret identity to the world. We still don't know what the fallout of this will be.

1 SAME: A Different Kind Of Superhero Girlfriend

The defining thing about Mary Jane Watson, whether it be in the comics or the MCU movies, is that she is a very different kind of superhero girlfriend. This is what has made her such a beloved and long-lived character. She's confident, brash, and isn't afraid to help Spider-Man out when she can (at least nowadays in the comics). She's charming, often quite funny, and is, arguably, the perfect partner for our beloved Peter Parker.

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