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Dir. James Gunn comes out in support of Zendaya

‘If you’re complaining about the ethnicity of Mary Jane your life is too good.’

Photo of April Siese

April Siese

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Photo via Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock Photo via DFree/Shutterstock | Remix by April Siese

Rumors are swirling about Zendaya being cast as Mary Jane Watson in the forthcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming movie. Though the decision has yet to be confirmed by either Sony or Marvel, previous casting announcements indicate a high likelihood we’ll be seeing the Disney Channel starlet on the silver screen.

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Sadly, this has sparked outrage from some fans, who see the white, redhead Mary Jane as a character who should stay that way. One person jumping to Zendaya’s defense is Guardians of the Galaxy‘s James Gunn.

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/766479791054655488

The celebrated director took to Facebook on Friday night to pen a longer defense of more inclusive casting. Gunn describes being “bewildered” by a similar backlash that Michael B. Jordan faced when he was cast as Johnny Storm.

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“The primary characteristic of Johnny was not, to me, that he was white, or that he had blonde hair, but that he was a fiery, funny, big-mouthed braggart of a hero,” Gunn writes. “I was happy that he was going to be played by one of the finest and most charming young actors out there.”

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Gunn also stays mum on whether Zendaya has indeed landed the role of Mary Jane and is quick to clarify he has yet to receive confirmation. 

“There’s a good chance someone told me at one time or another, but, if so, I can’t remember,” Gunn admits. “I’m going to find out when I go into Marvel this afternoon, but I feel free to speak until that time because it’s about the concept about a black woman playing Mary Jane, not the actuality or hypothesis of it.”

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The Daily Dot