History Characters / SpiderManTrilogyMainCharacters

* AdaptationalWimp: Another thing that got lost by turning her into a CompositeCharacter. Not only is MJ rarely kidnapped in the comics, but when she is, she's a DamselOutOfDistress more often than not, sometimes even ending with a RescueReversal. However, she gets kidnapped so many times in these films that, for people not familiar with her comic book counterpart, she's a poster girl of the DistressedDamsel trope. Only in ''Spider-Man 3'' does she more resemble her comic book counterpart when it comes to how she handles her captivity.[[note]]Ironically, she was more of an ActionSurvivor / HeroicBystander in the original script for ''Spider-Man 1'', as MJ helps Spider-Man in the final battle by jamming one of Goblin's bombs into his glider. Raimi had also promised Dunst she wouldn't have to be the damsel in the third film, and made her a DamselOutOfDistress to compensate for the ExecutiveMeddling.[[/note]]

* TextileWorkIsFeminine: She's shown knitting in the first film. The novelization reveals May would make Peter sweaters and the baklava from his [[CheapCostume first suit]] was a 14th birthday gift from her.

* TheBigDamnKiss: Her upside-down kiss with Spider-Man is legendary. InUniverse, she even treasures it as the "perfect kiss" and admits in the novelization that while it may not have been her FirstKiss, it is her most passionate one. ''Across the Spider-verse'' even reveals that it's a Canon Event, a major milestone in the life of a spider-person on the same level as the spider bite of losing a loved one which occurs.

** In the same movie, MJ being [[NoSympathy uncaring]] towards Peter for just missing her play makes her comes across as somewhat selfish, but it is worth noting that she mentions Aunt May (whose financial situation is far worse than Peter's, as she is about to lose her house) and her mother (who is sick to the point that it is implied she is almost bedridden) watched her play, even her [[AbusiveParents abusive]] {{jerkass}} of a father made it once (though not to watch her performance), while Peter hasn't and the only excuse he keeps using is that "there was a disturbance", which is extremely vague. The novelization adds that she reserved a prime seat for Peter to encourage him to come. From that point of view, her frustration with Peter is somewhat valid.

** Sam Raimi also modeled her on Gwen, notably her more serious and melancholy personality and GirlNextDoor persona. Gwen in the comics went through several personality shifts (some of which were inspired by MJ's popularity), but she also dated Flash and Harry before choosing Peter. Likewise, MJ gets to be the damsel that Goblin drops from the bridge albeit Peter saves her. Her outfit when introduced in the trilogy even mirrors Gwen's during the aforementioned bridge scene in ''ComicBook/TheNightGwenStacyDied'' -- [[MythologyGag black headband,]] [[IconicOutfit purple blouse,]] [[{{Foreshadowing}} and long green coat]].

*** This MJ also takes a lot of cues from her counterpart in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'' in having endured an abusive boyfriend(s) in addition to her father which complicates her relationship with Peter, being initially unaware of his SecretIdentity as Spider-Man and thus put off by his flaky nature, taking Gwen Stacy's role as the GirlNextDoor and Green Goblin's hostage at the bridge, being a recurring DamselInDistress, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking having blue eyes]] [[AdaptationDyeJob instead of green]].

* GirlinessUpgrade: In the comics, Mary Jane’s ensemble consists of [[{{Shorttank}} jeans, shorts, t-shirts,]] [[TankTopTomboy tank tops, and jackets]] in addition to fashionable dresses. In the films, she wears skirts, dresses, and otherwise feminine tops more often, and generally sports a softer look than her comic book counterpart even on the occasions she wears pants and shirts.

* LovesMyAlterEgo: She initially fell for Spider-Man rather than Peter. Unlike other versions, this example moves and impresses Peter because she expressed it when everyone in New York was slamming him for being a menace (led by Jameson) and Peter was seriously thinking that [[VillainHasAPoint Goblin had a point]] about saving a bunch of ingrates. The fact that [[WhatYouAreInTheDark MJ expressed her affection and gratitude for Spider-Man when the rest of society didn't]] [[RestoredMyFaithInHumanity restores Peter's faith in being a superhero]]. The fact she did it with what is certainly Peter's FirstKiss only sealed the deal. Of course, by the end of ''1'', she ends up loving Peter but he then rebuffs her, which upsets her in the second film until she learns the truth.

** Subverted by the end of the third film. It's implied that [[HeelRealization Harry realizes his]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone horrible behavior of how he had treated his former best friend and girlfriend]] and not only teamed-up with Peter to save MJ from Venom and Sandman but also took the fatal blow meant for the former, [[RedemptionEqualsDeath reconciling his friendship with them before dying]].

** After losing his [[EasyAmnesia memories]] in the third movie, he openly admits to a nurse that he'd [[{{Foreshadowing}} lay down his life for]] [[TrueCompanions Peter and MJ]].

'''Peter:''' [[LittleNo No.]] [[BrutalHonesty He despised you.]] [[DisappointedInYou You were an embarrassment for him.]] Look at that [[LoserSonOfLoserDad little Goblin junior.]] Gonna cry?

* SmugSnake: Has a problem with this in the third film where he threatens MJ that he will kill Peter unless she breaks up with him. [[SarcasmMode Yeah, it's not as if Peter has had way more experience in fighting superpowered people or kicked his father's ass with little effort in their final fight, and "didn't" just so happen to defeat him as well despite not wanting to fight back]]. When he actually fights Spidey the second time, and this ''time'', with [[TheDogBitesBack Peter having enough of his entitled behavior]] along with being influenced by the symbiote it... [[HoistByHisOwnPetard doesn't end well]] [[EyeScream for Harry]]... [[KnowWhenToFoldThem at all]].

* BerserkButton: Has a lot of these, but one button you ''shouldn't'' press is deceiving him. When he fires Eddie Brock after humiliating him and his paper with photoshopped images, he's ''[[TranquilFury dead serious]]'' compared to the times he's [[GeorgeJetsonJobSecurity "fired"]] Peter.

* MsFanservice: Most of MJ's outfits [[FormFittingWardrobe accentuate her figure]], particularly her chest and legs, and are rather striking. Perhaps the most famous is her SexySoakedShirt during her and Spidey's upside-down kiss. She looks downright stunning in her formal wear.

* TheNameless: Peter's mother isn't named, but in the comics her name is Mary.

* BladeBelowTheShoulder: He utilizes a contracted, triple-bladed arm guard on his right arm in his attempt to kill Peter in the third film. It later gets wrecked by Peter in their second fight.

** Another one happens in the second film, as he tells Doc Ock to not harm Peter despite their friendship being strain from the belief of the latter not taking a pro-active stance against Spider-Man. Near the end of the film after the reveal of Peter Parker and Spider-Man is one and the same, Harry starts to have doubts about his father's death until a hallucination of Norman convinced him otherwise.

** In the first film, he tells Norman that MJ basically dumped him and clearly loves Peter. He had no idea of realizing at the time that his father was the Green Goblin and ''looking'' for ways to target and hurt Peter after finding out he was Spider-Man. The entire final battle of the film lands squarely on an unaware Harry's shoulders as a result.

* YouKilledMyFather: He believes Spider-Man murdered his father. Until his butler (as a hallucination) reveals the truth.

* LoveMartyr: The novelization notes that MJ grew up in a household where love was hard to come by, so she dated [[JerkJock Flash]] because at least he paid attention to her, even if it wasn't the right kind, and somewhat alleviated her stressful home life by gaining Philip's approval. It took her years to realize that this kind of "[[DomesticAbuse love]]" wasn't healthy and stop putting up with their abuse. She nearly repeats the pattern with [[RichBastard Harry]] due to him convincing her of his sincerity until being subjected to the Osborns' true egotistical, scornful natures, which leads her to finally begin moving away from this trope and not rely on people undeserving of her time and effort for self-actualization.

* AdaptationalRelationshipOverhaul: The novelization reveals that he and Norman Osborn were friends and went to the same gentlemen's club, while in the comics they aren't shown to know each other personally.

* TheBigDamnKiss: Her upside-down kiss with Spider-Man is legendary. InUniverse, she even treasures it as the "perfect kiss" and admits in the novelization that while it may not have been her FirstKiss, it is her most passionate one.

* GoodOldWays: She's quite old-fashioned by several decades in her mannerisms. In the first novelization, Peter notes that May's diction (even when she [[CurseOfTheAncients swears]]) can sound straight out of a Creator/MarkTwain novel and she disapproves of the violence and crudeness in sports that Ben watches. Regarding her sense of style, May insisted Peter [[OutdatedOutfit dress smartly for school despite its impracticality]], only relenting on him wearing sneakers instead of Oxfords in his senior year, and has him carry handkerchiefs in his formal suits. She's also scandalized by Spider-Man's fangirls' revealing clothing and seductive natures in the second novelization.

* TheBigDamnKiss: Her upside-down kiss with Spider-Man is legendary. InUniverse, she even treasures it as the "perfect kiss", and notes in the novelization that Spider-Man isn't her FirstKiss, but is her most passionate.

* TheBigDamnKiss: Her upside-down kiss with Spider-Man is legendary. InUniverse, she even treasures it as the "perfect kiss".

* OneTrueLove: She and Peter never had such a deep love and connection with anyone as each other, and no matter how much they tried, it was ultimately impossible for either of them to move on from their feelings or let the other go. [[spoiler:''No Way Home'' reveals she and Peter remained together no matter what they endured over the years.]]

* {{Leitmotif}}: She shares a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGib1zwIw0g tender, humble, and earnest love theme]] with Peter that underscores many of their scenes together throughout the trilogy; growing progressively stronger in the first film as they create a genuine bond. It's most prominent during their iconic alleyway kiss, their second kiss after [[spoiler:Norman's funeral]], the climax of the second film when Peter sends her to be with John, and the stargazing scene early in the third film.

* SweaterGirl: She wears sweaters a few times.

'''Peter:''' [[LittleNo No.]] [[BrutalHonesty He despised you.]] [[DisappointedInYou You were an embarrassment for him.]] Look at that [[LoserSonOfLoserDad little Goblin junior.]] [[KickTheSonOfABitch Gonna cry?]]

!!!'''Voiced by:''' Roberto Mendiola (Latin American Spanish), Alexandre Gillet (European French dub), Louis-Philippe Dandenault (Canadian French dub), Creator/AlexandreMoreno (Brazilian Portuguese dub)

!!!'''Appearances:''' ''Film/SpiderMan1'' | ''Film/SpiderMan2'' | ''Film/SpiderMan3'' | ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse'' [[note]]Archive footage from ''Film/SpiderMan1''[[/note]]

!!!'''Appearances:''' ''Film/SpiderMan1'' | ''Film/SpiderMan2'' | ''Film/SpiderMan3''

* {{Irony}}: [[spoiler:He dies in a similar way to his father but out of a desire to save Peter rather than wanting to kill him.]]

* SoLastSeason: In the third film, Harry finally takes on Peter using an improved performance enhancer and upgraded versions of his father's weapons from the first film. Peter's experience since defeating Norman, coupled with Harry's [[VillainForgotToLevelGrind own lack of training and experience]], allows Peter to make a quick work against his estranged best friend.

* VillainForgotToLevelGrind: It's implied that he never got familiar with the Goblin tech during the time skip between Spider-Man 2 and 3, and is seen taking the improved version of the performance enhancer right before he dons his New Goblin persona to assassinate Peter in the same night. As one would expect, his lack of experience compared to Spider-Man (who's been an active hero for years and already fought and defeated the original Goblin) in the third film, only highlights his incompetence as a fighter.

* AlternateSelf: Has an equivalent on [[Characters/MCUMichelleJones Earth-199999]] named Michelle Jones-Watson.

* AlternateSelf: He's mentioned in ''No Way Home'' along with his [[Characters/TheAmazingSpiderManSeriesMainCharacters Earth-120703]] counterpart. Both of them [[InSpiteOfANail died]], teaching their nephews that with great power comes great responsiblity.

* AlternateSelf: Has three from [[WesternAnimation/WhatIf Earth-89521]], [[Characters/TheAmazingSpiderManSeriesMainCharacters Earth-120703]], and [[Characters/MCUAvengersAllies Earth-199999]]. Another counterpart is also set to appear in ''Spider-Man: Freshman Year''.

* AlternateSelf: On [[WesternAnimation/WhatIf Earth-89521]], on [[Characters/TheAmazingSpiderManSeriesMainCharacters Earth-120703]], and on [[Characters/MCUAvengersAllies Earth-199999]]. He also has a counterpart on [[WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse Earth-1610B]] that is posthumously voiced by the same actor.

* AlternateSelf: They also exist on [[WesternAnimation/WhatIf Earth-89521]], [[Characters/TheAmazingSpiderManSeriesMainCharacters Earth-120703]], and [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse Earth-199999]].

* AlternateSelf: He has several alternate versions across TheMultiverse.

* AlternateSelf: Has one on [[Characters/MCUCitizensNewYorkCityMidtownSchoolOfScienceAndTechnology Earth-199999]].