Recently, Marvel announced that Tom Holland’sSpider-Manis about to enterhis very own Brand New Day. This phrase is familiar to fans from a successful comic arc which effectively rebooted Peter Parker for the modern day. However, the reason that arc existed in the first place - and one of the big features of its stories - was so that Peter Parker could get back on the dating scene with exciting new love interests.
The reason that arc existed in the first place was so that Peter Parker could get back on the dating scene.
TheBrand New Dayarc was a revamp of Spider-Man lore following the events of the greatlypolarizing storySpider-Man: One More Day, which saw Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson’s marriage erased from continuity. As ofBrand New Day, Peter Parker once more became a broke bachelor and returned to form as a street-level hero, complete with a slew of new villains.
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
Now, with the upcoming film,Spider-Man: Brand New Day,it’s almost guaranteed the MCU will explore new love interests for Peter outside Zendaya’sMichelle ‘MJ’ Jones-Watson.
Spider-Man’s Brand New Day Introduced Several New Love Interests
It’s Incredibly Likely the MCU Will Follow Suit
The pairing of Spider-Man and Mary Jane is one of Marvel’s most popular couples, and their relationship has extended beyond the pages into various other Marvel adaptations, including the MCU. However,Spider-Man and Mary Jane have not been an item for years in the comics. WhileNo Way Homearguably saw less outrage from fans than the consequences ofOne More Day, the fallout of both storylines resets Peter Parker as a young guy making his way in New York.
With actress Sadie Sink joining the MCU, Peter Parker’s relationships, both romantic and not, are getting a complete overhaul.
As recently confirmed by editorTom Brevoort, the aim ofOne More Daywas to make Peter seem younger, with fears that readers wouldn’t relate to him as a married man.One More Daykilled off Peter and MJ’s marriage, but it wasBrand New Daythat introduced a series of new love interests, including forensic investigator Carlie Cooper, take-charge lawyer Michele Gonzales, and the return of Peter’s old love interest Felicia Hardy, aka the Black Cat.With actress Sadie Sink joining the MCU, it’s likely that as in the comics, Peter Parker may have new love interests on the horizon.
If the movies introduce new love interests for Peter, fans may revise their first impressions ofNo Way Home.
The MCU Has Adapted Spider-Man’s Most Controversial Retcon
But If the Endgame Is the Same, Fans May Riot
Marvel’s decision tosplit the iconic pairing of Peter Parker and MJreceived massive criticism at the time ofOne More Day, but while it was deeply controversial, the choice has stuck. Peter and MJ have flirted with a substantial reconnection ever since, but Marvel has been denying fans a true reconciliation for almost two decades. Peter and MJ were a fan-favorite couple, and this is apparent with successful titles such asThe Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your VowsandUltimate Spider-Man, in which variants of Peter and MJ remain together.
Spider-Man: No Way Homewas the MCU’s version ofOne More Day, acting as a catalyst to reboot Spidey’s status quo. But while reaping the same results, the MCU film was much better received. That’s likely because fans saw it as a temporary tragedy, with Holland and Zendaya’s heroes eventually destined to get back together. However, that’s not what happened in the comics, and if the movies likewise introduce new love interests for Peter, fans may revise their first impressions of the twist.
This bold transition opens the door for the MCU to debut other popular Spider-Man love interests like Gwen Stacy and Felicia Hardy…
The MCU Opens the Door for Other Spider-Man Love Interests To Debut on the Big Screen
MCU’s Black Cat or Gwen Stacy Could Replace MJ
While the comicBrand New Daywas geared towards introducing never-before-seen love interests, the MCU version could use the opportunity to depict some classic Spidey relationships. This bold transition opens the door for the MCU to debut other popular Spider-Manlove interests like Gwen Stacyand Felicia Hardy. Choices like these could satisfy fans who loved Peter/MJ, as they draw from particularly belovedSpider-Manlore.
The erasure of Peter Parker and Mary Jane’s marriage was a massively controversial move in Marvel Comics, butBrand New Daywasan interesting erawith a lot of new ideas and character. Should the Marvel Cinematic Universe choose to follow the path of its comic inspiration, there is no doubt thatSpider-Manwill be receiving all-new love interests as he re-navigates his life as a hero.
