The movie featuring Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, his last solo appearance, is notorious in Marvel’s cinematic history due to its extensive roster of villains and supporting characters from the comic books. In this sequel, Electro and Rhino made their live-action debuts among other notable characters, while Gwen Stacy bid farewell to the franchise in a tragic finale. Interestingly, the original cast of the 2014 film initially included an additional famous character whose presence could have significantly influenced the series’ future direction.
Many viewers recognize that Mary Jane Watson is featured in multiple films, with Shailene Woodley playing the character. Known for acting roles in the Divergent series and The Fault in Our Stars, Woodley was initially set to make a brief appearance in the film, followed by a return in the two planned sequels. Regrettably, the poor financial performance of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 resulted in the abrupt termination of the franchise, which was later reborn within the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Tom Holland as the main character. To this day, fans remain intrigued about why Mary Jane’s scenes were cut from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and how her presence could have influenced the series’ future direction.
Why Was Shailene Woodley Cut From The Amazing Spider-Man 2?
Woodley’s Scenes as Mary Jane Watson Were Cut From the Superhero Film
As a diehard movie enthusiast reminiscing about “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”, I recall that Shailene Woodley was initially slated to play Mary Jane Watson, the beloved love interest of Peter Parker in the comic books and other media. Excitement for her entrance into the Amazing Spider-Man universe ran high as pictures surfaced online showcasing her sporting the character’s iconic fiery red hair. However, much to our disappointment, these scenes didn’t make it to the big screen in the 2014 film adaptation. To this day, eleven years later, those scenes have yet to see the light of day, leaving many of us wondering what could have been regarding Mary Jane’s enigmatic role in the franchise.
The decision to exclude Mary Jane from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was primarily due to practical concerns rather than any fault in Kaya Scodelario’s performance. The film, notorious for its overabundance of characters and storylines, already boasted three main villains, numerous hints at future movies, and a multitude of diverging plot threads. Adding Mary Jane would have further complicated an already crowded narrative, making the movie feel even more cluttered. Furthermore, the sequel heavily focuses on Gwen Stacy, whose emotional climax is one of the defining moments in the film. Including MJ could have overshadowed Gwen’s poignant storyline and potentially spoiled the fate of Peter Parker’s girlfriend.
Despite not appearing in the second movie, it was anticipated that Mary Jane would continue to play a crucial part in the narrative, since she was planned to be Peter Parker’s new romantic interest following Gwen Stacy’s demise at the end of The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
It seems likely that Shailene Woodley would have continued to play the role of Mary Jane Watson (MJ), eventually developing a romance with Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man in future movies. This role would have also appeared in the fourth installment of the Amazing Spider-Man series and any subsequent sequels. Regrettably, The Amazing Spider-Man 3 was cancelled soon after the second film’s release due to mixed critical reception and modest box office performance. Eventually, Zendaya took over the role of MJ Watson for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in three films.
Mary Jane’s Introduction Would Have Changed the Amazing Spider-Man Franchise
Spider-Man Would Have Eventually Moved on From Gwen Stacy
Introducing Mary Jane Watson could have given Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man a ray of optimism following The Amazing Spider-Man 2. However, the Amazing Spider-Man series ends on a somber note as Peter Parker grapples with the loss of his beloved Gwen Stacy, who he couldn’t save from death. Although Peter resumes his role as Spider-Man after a prolonged absence in the second movie, he continues to grapple with overwhelming guilt for her demise.
If Mary Jane Watson had appeared in the potential sequels of “The Amazing Spider-Man”, it’s likely that audiences, and maybe even Peter himself, could have been reassured that the wounded hero would eventually find love again at some point.
Instead of just focusing on action-packed battles, “The Amazing Spider-Man 3” and “4” could have also delved into the emotional journey of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, showcasing their trials and triumphs as a couple. These two characters are known for their dynamic and intriguing relationship in the Marvel Comics universe, withstanding numerous challenges before finally finding their way back to each other.
The Spider-Man series might have evolved aspects of their relationship, even showcasing their marriage and family life. Mary Jane symbolized the future for Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, but unfortunately, this future they envisioned never materialized.
Cutting Mary Jane’s Scenes Worked Out for the Best
Mary Jane’s Absence Works Better for Andrew Garfield’s Character Arc as Spider-Man
Although it was unfortunate that Shailene Woodley’s character Mary Jane Watson wasn’t in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, it ultimately led to a better outcome. It would have been exciting to see Mary Jane help Peter Parker out of his funk in The Amazing Spider-Man 3, but the journey taken by this version of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home more than makes up for that disappointment. When this alternate Peter Parker appears on Earth-616, we find out that he is still grappling with the loss of Gwen, which adds to the enjoyment of the story.
Since her passing, Peter has yet to find love anew and continues his struggle to preserve his upbeat, friendly superhero persona within the neighborhood. This added poignancy to his No Way Home journey, as audiences witnessed Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man gradually recover alongside his variants. The climax of this healing process unfolds when he rescues the MCU’s MJ from a dangerous fall, thus finding redemption for his past mistakes with Gwen. In essence, Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Spider-Man concludes its cycle, finally achieving closure after years of self-doubt and remorse. This healing journey would not have been realized if Shailene Woodley’s MJ arc had transpired within the Amazing Spider-Man series instead.
| Upcoming Spider-Man Films | |
|---|---|
| Title | Release Date |
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | July 31, 2026 |
| Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse | June 4, 2027 |
Among the noteworthy Spider-Men, Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker stands out as one who gets another shot at salvation, coming back nearly a decade since his previous appearance. Infused with renewed optimism and determination, Garfield re-enters his original film realm.
After listening to tales from his alternate selves, it seems as though Peter Parker, the remarkable Spider-Man, has finally found his own version of MJ in the end.
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2025-05-25 05:42