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Grouping these asks together as they’re kinda the same . Firstly, racists and incels having so much power drives me crazy. Can we please be clear that despite their online noise, in real life they’re an irrelevant minority. See all the discourse that surrounded The Odyssey and for what? To become the blockbuster the rest of us with common sense knew it would be? Even with criticism, the movie is amazing, the performances outstanding, and it’s still making money hand over fist. Same with Tom’s Spider-Man. The discourse around MJ (🙄) has been going on for 10 years. Has it changed anything? No. Z is still MJ and will continue to be (also please stop taking away her autonomy w/ the ‘I’d rather she didn’t return because of so and so.’ Enough). In one of the last interviews of the press tour, we literally heard “they [Tom, Z, Jacob] are a packaged deal.” Tom spent the whole press tour affirming MJ is the love of Peter’s life. Why do we still care what those racists and incels think? They’re not going to be catered to. SM5 will just continue to disappoint them. Oh well.
Second, other love interests. Idt we’re going to avoid it. Based on how the movies are set up and how much has to fit in them, I also don’t think they’re gonna spend too much time invested in it either. I said elsewhere that offscreen references, mentions, maybe montages make the most sense. Peter dating a bit post-BND to SM5. Probably nothing serious because at the end of the day he’s still Spider-Man and he’s not going to reveal his identity to every date. Remember he withholds. But I think him opening up and moving forward helps with the plot in keeping his promise to aunt May about not doing it alone. Making friends, having community. I’ve seen Black Cat mentioned since NWH and I really thought that BND was the time to do it if they were gonna. Obviously now, it makes sense why they didn’t. But they still can for SM5 and this really is the last chance #tome. *I* would introduce her offscreen, maybe months before SM5 takes place. Depends on timeline between BND, Doomsday, SW, SM5. Realistically could it even be anything less than 2 years? Canonically? Idk. Maybe bring her in and show a montage on how she and Spidey met? Everyone knows they’re not endgame, but this storyline could add some good angst. A classic love triangle. Maybe even a 4 sided love triangle if MJ is also dating. Give her a new bf! Remember she withholds too (address this in 5?). Make them yearn! PeterMJ will obviously have been rebuilding their friendship/relationship and feelings will be catching. Don’t argue with me.
As to who would get cast as BCat/other love interest. I hope it ends up being the best person for the role. I don’t think casting a Black woman or other WOC just to spite the racists is the way to go. Nor does it seem fair to put them in that position. Now, if it ends up that they’re the best actress for the role, then yes by all means. I get your concerns about casting a white woman because of the inevitable (ongoing) discourse, but again the idea of giving any power to racists is one I do not like. Like unless the actress in question is a **** I’d imagine she would just want to be a professional, do her job well, and not get weaponized against 2 iconic and beloved couples.
