After Spider-Man: No Way Home, Kirsten Dunst Is Ready for Her Marvel Return

By Richard Nebens Updated:
Spider-Man, Mary Jane, Kirsten Dunst

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: No Way Home is cementing itself as the biggest movie of the last couple of years, becoming one of the best-reviewed movies ever on the internet. Save from Kirsten Dunst's MJ and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy, the MCU Spidey threequel brought back over half a dozen key players in the hero's cinematic history as it celebrated the web-slinger's past, present, and future.

Looking at the specifics of who fully appeared in No Way Home, Marvel and Sony found a way to bring at least one character from each of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's solo movies into the action through the Multiverse. Rumors even pointed to the movie including Dunst and Stone alongside their Peter Parkers, although COVID-related delays and story decisions may have nixed that plan before it came to fruition.

Dunst specifically has had mixed reactions to her potential inclusion in No Way Home, as well as to the movie itself, although she's consistently celebrated being able to be a part of the Spidey cinematic legacy. Now, the actress is sharing even more of her love for the web-slinger's movies and teasing an openness to return to her role.

Kirsten Dunst Celebrates Spider-Man Success

Spider-Man: No Way Home, Kirsten Dunst
Marvel

Speaking with People Magazine, Spider-Man star Kirsten Dunst shared her thoughts on the success garnered by Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Dunst called this franchise "a cool legacy" and shared that it was "a really special thing" to have been a part of the Spider-Man movies for such a long time, particularly with how difficult real-life still is at the moment:

"It's such a cool legacy to be a part of, and to be the first one and be a Spider-Man fan. I feel like that's a really special thing because these fans have lived with these movies for so long and have grown up with it. It's legacy things that feel really exciting. It's nice to be excited about something. All of us are dealing with so much right now."

Dunst loved that people can now head out to movie theaters and see something so exciting, also referencing a reaction video that she saw from a No Way Home screening. She admitted that this is something the world truly needs these days:

"It's nice to have people want to go to the movie theater and see something that really makes their heart happy. I saw a reaction video [from a No Way Home screening] that someone sent me and I was like, 'Oh my God!' People really needed this right now — more than ever."

When asked if she would be open to returning to another Spider-Man movie as Mary-Jane Watson, she called it a "no-brainer" and didn't hesitate when answering that question positively.

"Of course I would. Of course. I've been asked about that a few times. That's a no-brainer. That was a huge part of my career and my life."

Dunst Open to Reprising Mary-Jane Watson

Before the MCU gave fans Zendaya's Michelle Jones-Watson, whose name was fully revealed in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Kirsten Dunst kicked things off in 2002 by playing Spidey's most famous love-interest, Mary-Jane Watson. She played the role in all three movies from Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and she was even rumored to play a role in No Way Home as well until things fell through.

Now, with nearly two decades having passed since she first played MJ, Dunst clearly appreciates her time on the set of those superhero movies before two more Spider-Man franchises came to light. Now, with Tom Holland leading the way and both Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire having gotten a taste of MCU glory, Dunst is more than willing to add to that story with a role she last played 15 years ago. 

As of now, there are no specific plans to bring back Dunst or anyone else from Maguire or Garfield's solo movies as Holland's hero takes on a new world that has no idea he exists. Fans are surely hoping for a potential meeting of the MJ's between Dunst and Zendaya, although it's tough to tell if and when that happens.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is now playing in theaters worldwide.

- In This Article: Spider-Man: No Way Home
Release Date
December 17, 2021
Platform
Theaters
- About The Author: Richard Nebens
Richard Nebens joined The Direct in March 2020, now serving as the site's Senior Writer and also working as an assistant editor and content creator. He started his journalism career as a hobby in 2019 and is passionate about sharing news and stories from the entertainment industry, especially comic book movies, comedy, and sci-fi. Richard looks to expand his knowledge about movies and TV every day, and he is eager to stay locked into the latest releases and breaking news at every opportunity.