‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s MJ Has a Controversial New Suitor Fans Are Unhappy With: Paul

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It’s been five years since Peter Parker became Spider-Man, and things are starting to look rocky for him and MJ. The first trailer for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” hints at trouble as Peter tries to balance college life with being a superhero. It introduces a new love interest for MJ that fans are already disliking, and Peter is forced to watch helplessly as she’s flirted with at a party, all because he’s trying to keep a low profile and avoid using his powers.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and scheduled to come out July 31, 2026, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will see Peter Parker facing off against villains like Scorpion, Tombstone, and Boomerang. Beyond the usual heroics of saving the city, Peter will also be navigating a complicated love life. A new character introduced in a 2022 Marvel comic will challenge his relationship with MJ, leaving fans wondering if Peter can win her back or if she’ll fall for someone else.

What Happens in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Trailer?


Sony Pictures Releasing

After Doctor Strange cast a spell that made everyone forget Peter Parker, he’s trying to live a normal life as a college student. But he can’t help but still fight crime as Spider-Man. When he uncovers a bigger criminal plot, he knows he has to act. However, Peter risks losing everything – especially his relationship with Mary-Jane Watson – as he battles powerful enemies like Scorpion, Tombstone, Boomerang, Tarantula, and the Hand, and navigates a complicated love triangle hinted at in the trailer.

At a college party with his friend Ned, Peter awkwardly watches as another guy flirts with MJ, giving her flowers and gently touching her hair. A voice-over explains that being Spider-Man sometimes means Peter has to make difficult choices, even if it hurts him personally. The situation highlights the core conflict: Peter is trying to protect his loved ones by keeping his identity a secret and fighting crime, but a new romantic interest for MJ could jeopardize their relationship.

Who is MJ’s New Love Interest in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’?


Sony Pictures Releasing

Although not officially confirmed by casting news, many believe Mary Jane’s new romantic interest in Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be Paul Rabin, a character who first appeared in Marvel Comics in 2022. Introduced in Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 6), #1 by Zeb Wells and others, Paul Rabin is the son of Emissary. In the comics, when Peter Parker and MJ entered Paul’s alternate reality, MJ sent Peter back to his own timeline but remained in Paul’s world for four years.

Over four years, MJ and Paul developed a romantic relationship and became parents to two adopted children. This deeply upset fans, especially when they married, as MJ remained with Paul for three years, leaving Peter to cope alone. The relationship finally ended in 2025 with the release of All-New Venom #9. Many fans are still frustrated by the way Paul was portrayed as a seemingly kind character to create conflict between Peter and MJ.

Eman Esfandi, recognized for his role as Ezra Bridger in Star Wars: Ahsoka, plays the character of Paul in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He’s also appeared in King Richard as Barry, The Inspection as Ismail, and Austin Weird as Sam.

Why Do Spider-Man Fans Hate Paul Rabin So Much?


Marvel Comics

Fans of Spider-Man weren’t happy with the character Paul Rabin during the “Brand New Day” storyline. He was introduced simply to drive a wedge between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, and the way it was handled – feeling forced and unnecessarily angry – frustrated readers for three years. What made it even worse was that Paul embodies many frustrating clichés of the “nice guy” – he portrays himself as morally superior, intelligent, and a helpful member of society.

Honestly, as a film fan, I’ve always been troubled by Paul. He builds on his father’s horrific plans using this advanced technology, and it reminds me so much of Peter Parker and the tragedy with Uncle Ben – that sense of being unintentionally involved in something awful. But unlike Peter, Paul never tries to make things right. He pretends to be this heroic figure, but he’s actually a liar who consistently mistreats MJ, never truly giving her the love she deserves. And the worst part? He doesn’t even seem genuinely remorseful! He admits he fled to our Earth – Earth-616 – simply to escape facing the consequences of his actions. It’s a really cynical take on the ‘burden of responsibility’ trope.

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The situation gets even worse in Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 6) #7, where Paul physically attacks Peter when questioned about his actions and then denies it. Most disturbingly, his mass killings left the two children he and MJ adopted without parents. Later, when their lives are threatened, he urges MJ to abandon the children and save herself.

Let me tell you, Paul Rabin is a villain hiding in plain sight – a seemingly sweet mathematician who, underneath it all, is pretty awful. So, it’s no wonder fans are furious about his plan to break up Peter and MJ in the Brand New Day storyline. It feels especially frustrating considering we just found out Tom Holland and Zendaya are married in real life! Look, nobody wants to see Peter and MJ apart, either in the movies or in the actors’ personal lives. It just feels wrong.



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2026-03-19 21:39