Spider-Man 4’s most popular casting rumour is a big mistake

Spider-Man 4 has always felt like an inevitability. In fact, it’s widely accepted by now that the film is indeed on the way. Kevin Feige was hardly going to abandon the hero touted as the future face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That being said, the next instalment in the Tom Holland-fronted series is yet to have a ceremonious reveal, as we saw with Avengers: Doomsday at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.

That’s likely because Spider-Man 4 is very early in its inception and if Feige has learnt anything from the last few years, it’s that the best approach is to go from project to project - not to drum up hype for an eight-year plan that may not even unfold. With that in mind, much of what’s to come in Spider-Man 4 is still totally up in the air.

We know that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Daniel Destin Cretton has now been appointed as director, taking over from Jon Watts who helmed the initial three films. In my opinion, this bodes very well for the upcoming sequel. Shang-Chi was, for the most part, a stellar film. The magic-heavy final act could’ve done with some tweaking but the action set pieces in the first segment of the film are up there with some of the MCU’s best.

The MCU’s Agatha All Along premieres on 18 September.

It’s no secret that Holland is more than capable of doing some of his own stunts - and I’m sure he and Cretton will enjoy collaborating with one another. Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers are back as writers. This is the duo behind all three previous instalments so while we should expect the tone of the film to stay true to what’s come before, I do hope the pair are planning a shift away from a multiversal story structure.

I’m not saying it has to be a street-level threat which I know is what many people are hoping for, although I’m not against that either. I simply don’t want to see Spider-Man 4 rely on the same kind of fan-service that comes with a multiversal plotline as we’ve just seen also work in Deadpool & Wolverine. We all love a woop and a cheer as an old favourite surfaces on screen but No Way Home ticked that box, so it’s time to move on.

Even that though isn’t my main concern about Spider-Man 4. What I’m really concerned about is how the film will continue to handle Peter Parker’s love life. You may recall that towards the end of No Way Home, Doctor Strange has to wipe everybody’s memories of Peter Parker in order for Spidey to save the day. This includes those close to Peter like MJ and Ned. In one of the film’s closing scenes, Peter prepares to approach the now-memory-wiped duo, to fill them in on what’s happened in the hope that it restores their memories. After the life-threatening events of the film though, Peter decides that perhaps it's better that they go on without knowing him for their own safety.

What follows this decision is something that’s caused great debate here at GAMINGbible as several of my colleagues believe things should remain this way so Spidey’s sacrifice ‘means something’. Personally though, I’m tired of sidekicks being painted as damsels in distress. “It’s for your own good,” is tiresome. With that in mind, I’m very much hoping that MJ is in Spider-Man 4 and is somehow able to regain her own memories.

Spidey’s actions can ‘mean something’ without the character having to sacrifice his girlfriend. Of course, his sacrifice is a lovely testament to his character that played out nicely on screen but so too should Peter Parker learn, in time, that it wasn’t necessary. MJ and Ned may find themselves in peril from time to time, but never have either of them ever shied away from Peter’s secret life. They know what they’ve signed up for. The duo has always continued to stand by Peter’s side whatever the threat knowing full well the risk that accompanies that.

Credit / Sony Pictures Releasing

If we’re saying that the ending of No Way Home should have ‘meaningful consequences’, the widely-accepted interpretation of that is that MJ shouldn’t return, but that just baffles me. The consequences were never really about MJ. What matters here is what this means for Peter. The consequence of his choice is that he doesn’t have that back-up support system any more that MJ and Ned provided, and I’m sure we’ll see that play out in Spider-Man 4 as the young hero works out what life looks like if that’s the case.

If MJ is somehow able to use her feelings to re-recall her memories further down the line, that doesn’t mean ‘meaningful consequences’ are sacrificed. Peter still has had to undergo a major personal transformation. If he discovers how to cope on his own, surely the re-entry of MJ back into his life is only going to pose new challenges that’ll be thrilling to watch unfold on screen.

This leads me nicely on to the rumour surrounding Black Cat who many think might appear in this next instalment. The key name being thrown around is that of Sydney Sweeney and while I highly rate Sweeney as an actress, I don’t necessarily think she'd be the right fit for the role in this context. If Spidey is to learn to navigate things without his usual support system, he’s likely to look for support elsewhere - and with Black Cat also having an alter ego, you can see why Spidey might view her as a like-minded individual.

My problem is that the relationship between Peter Parker and Felicia Hardy can be, well, passionate - in the comic books, I mean. Sydney Sweeney has made quite a name for herself in rom coms as of late and it’s clear to see why. She’s a talented actress, charismatic, and simply gorgeous. And while I agree with the fan casting that she would make a stellar Black Cat, I don’t exactly want to see that kind of iteration of Black Cat in this universe.

Credit / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Call me a hopeless romantic, but the relationship Holland and Zendaya have so beautifully built between Peter and MJ - which obviously builds upon their IRL chemistry - is too precious to throw aside in the name of ‘meaningful consequences’ so that Peter can get it on with Black Cat. This is, if you ask me, a more emotionally vulnerable Peter than we’ve maybe seen in prior adaptations. What he has with MJ feels strong, with the potential to be lifelong. Is that worth sacrificing all for the sake of a sexy live-action Black Cat? Not in my book.

Personal growth and adjustment can be a meaningful consequence - and I hope that’s what the events of No Way Home trigger for Peter. MJ can still re-enter the picture without detracting from that. We’re so past the days of male heroes having to cast aside their love interests all in the name of safety. Certainly, I want to see Peter figure things out on his own for a short while, but falling into Black Cat’s bed just isn’t what should be on the cards for him. Let that growth lead him back to MJ. MJ knew and understood the cost of loving him. It’s about time Peter Parker figured that out himself.