Zendaya has spent the last several years building one of the most impressive résumés in Hollywood, and after Spider-Man: Brand New Day it’s clear her next role should be a supervillain. Whether playing MJ in the MCU‘s Spider-Man movies, Rue Bennett in Euphoria, Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, or Tashi Duncan in Challengers, Zendaya has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to elevate every project she’s involved in. As a result, audiences have become accustomed to seeing her as a protagonist, a love interest, or, at the very least, someone viewers are expected to root for.

This is what made one particular sequence in Spider-Man: Brand New Day so effective. It gives Zendaya a brief opportunity to step completely outside the role audiences have associated with her since Spider-Man: Homecoming. While MJ remains one of the MCU’s most grounded and relatable characters for most of the movie, there is a moment late in the story that transforms her into something genuinely unsettling.

It isn’t a flashy action scene or a massive visual-effects showcase. Instead, it’s a character-driven moment that relies almost entirely on performance. The scene highlights a side of Zendaya that audiences rarely get to see. Rather than playing the emotional center of the story, she becomes an intimidating presence capable of making even Spider-Man uncomfortable. The sequence lasts only a short time, but it raises an interesting question about Zendaya’s future career choices.

Zendaya Was Terrifying As The Possessed MJ In Spider-Man: Brand New Day

One of Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s most memorable scenes takes place on a rooftop when Peter Parker believes the impossible has happened and MJ has finally recognized him. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter has spent years separated from the people he loves most. When MJ appears to acknowledge him, there is a brief moment where both Peter and the audience hope the emotional barrier between them has finally been broken.

Then everything changes. It is revealed that MJ has been psychically possessed by Jean Grey, who is using her as a vessel while toying with Peter. The reveal offers one of the narrative’s biggest shocks and most unsettling exchanges. Zendaya completely alters her body language, facial expressions, and vocal delivery. The warmth and familiarity audiences associate with MJ disappear instantly.

Instead, she becomes cold, calculating, and intimidating. The way she calmly manipulates Peter’s emotions before revealing the truth makes the scene genuinely chilling. Vitally, Zendaya never resorts to exaggerated villain theatrics. Her performance remains controlled, which somehow makes it even more disturbing.

More importantly, this scene demonstrates Zendaya’s range. Within moments, she flips a dynamic that has defined several MCU films, transforming MJ from Peter’s emotional anchor into someone he suddenly fears. It is a reminder that Zendaya can do far more than play the likable heroine audiences have come to expect.

Zendaya Would Make A Great Villain After Playing So Many Heroic Figures

Although Zendaya has explored morally complicated characters before, she has rarely been allowed to embrace outright villainy. Challengers came closest, with Tashi Duncan manipulating the people around her to achieve her goals, but it’s hardly the same as a supervillain.

For the most part, Zendaya’s career has been built around characters who viewers sympathize with. MJ, Chani, and even Rue all occupy positions that encourage audience investment and emotional connection. She excels in those roles, but Brand New Day suggests there is another avenue worth exploring.

A major franchise villain feels like the logical next step. The rooftop scene proves she can project menace without sacrificing nuance. Rather than relying on physical intimidation, she creates tension through confidence, intelligence, and emotional manipulation. Those qualities are often what separate memorable villains from forgettable ones.

Hollywood has no shortage of actors who can play heroes. What it lacks are performers capable of creating villains audiences genuinely enjoy watching. Zendaya showed in just a few minutes of Spider-Man: Brand New Day that she could absolutely be one of them. Whether in a superhero movie, science-fiction franchise, fantasy epic, or psychological thriller, her next truly unexpected role should be the bad guy.

Release Date

July 29, 2026

Runtime

145 minutes

Writers

Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers

Producers

Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Amy Pascal, David Cain