Doctor Strange 2 Already Explained How MJ Can Return In Spider-Man 4

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.

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

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 & Ned’s Spider-Man Links Make A Reunion Way More Likely

MJ And Ned Are Going To College Together After 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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  Spider-Man: Far From Home

  Where to Watch

  *Availability in US

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  Not available

  Director

  Jon Watts

  Release Date

  
  July 2, 2019
  

  Cast

  Michael Keaton
  , Tom Holland
  , Jacob Batalon
  , Jon Favreau
  , Zendaya
  , Samuel L. Jackson
  , Martin Starr
  , Marisa Tomei
  , Cobie Smulders
  , Jake Gyllenhaal
  , Tony Revolori
  , Angourie Rice

  Franchise(s)

  Spider-Man

• 

  Spider-Man: No Way Home

  Director

  Jon Watts

  Release Date

  
  December 17, 2021
  

  Cast

  Zendaya
  , Jon Favreau
  , Tom Holland
  , Jamie Foxx
  , Alfred Molina
  , Benedict Cumberbatch
  , Marisa Tomei
  , J.B. Smoove
  , Benedict Wong
  , Jacob Batalon

  Franchise(s)

  Marvel Cinematic Universe

• 

  Spider-Man: Homecoming

  Where to Watch

  *Availability in US

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  Not available

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  Not available

  Director

  Jon Watts

  Release Date

  
  July 7, 2017
  

  Cast

  Michael Keaton
  , Martin Starr
  , Angourie Rice
  , Robert Downey Jr.
  , Marisa Tomei
  , Bokeem Woodbine
  , Logan Marshall-Green
  , Garcelle Beauvais
  , Michael Mando
  , Zendaya
  , Tom Holland
  , Jon Favreau
  , Donald Glover
  , Hannibal Buress

  Franchise(s)

  Spider-Man

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  Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness

  Where to Watch

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  Not available

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  Director

  Sam Raimi

  Release Date

  
  May 6, 2022
  

  Cast

  Elizabeth Olsen
  , Michael Stuhlbarg
  , Benedict Wong
  , Chiwetel Ejiofor
  , Xochitl Gomez
  , Benedict Cumberbatch
  , Rachel McAdams
  , Bruce Campbell
  , John Krasinski
  , Patrick Stewart
  , Hayley Atwell
  , Lashana Lynch
  , Anson Mount

  Franchise(s)

  Doctor Strange
  , Marvel Cinematic Universe