the casting of Zendaya in the role of Michelle – because it was the first time a high profile actress of colour of a younger generation had been cast in a main MCU role, and also because the character of Michelle did not seem to be specific to any particular character from the source material – making her actions and her motivations unpredictable. In the final analysis, while her performance is excellent, her character is also a disappointment.

Clearly, as the other female in Peter’s peer group, Michelle is designed to be the counterpoint to Liz. Where Liz is perfectly groomed to the point of it being ridiculous (she is a teenage girl, after all), Michelle is not. Where Liz is the pinnacle of tact and diplomacy, Michelle is blunt and sarcastic. Where Liz is deeply embedded in the social life...

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