Summary
Stephanie Tyler Jones, the face model for Mary Jane inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, was recently harassed by “fans” on social media and even her place of work. Mary Jane Watson plays a major supporting role throughout Insomniac’sSpider-Manfranchise, with the first game re-imagining the longtime love interest of Peter Parker as an investigative reporter with her own playable stealth sections. ComeSpider-Man 2, MJ is now living with Peter in his childhood home and writing articles about the strange occurrences happening in New York City, and she finds herself in growing danger oncePeter is infected with an alien Symbiote.
In all herMarvel’s Spider-Mangame appearances, Mary Jane is voiced by veteran video game actress Laura Bailey, while her physical appearance is modeled after Kentucky-born actress/model Stephanie Tyler Jones. When MJ was first shown off in pre-releaseSpider-Man 2trailers, many thought she was replaced by a new actress due to looking somewhat different, but Insomniac soon debunked this. Unfortunately, MJ’s character model would be met with a wave of increasingly negative reactions throughoutSpider-Man 2’s promotional campaign and release, and it appears that this has now escalated into outright stalking and harassment.
Earlier this week, Stephanie Tyler Jones posted a public message on her Instagram account, which was later shared on social media by fans like Twitter user vinewoodmiles. In this message, Jones revealed that she has been receiving messages from followers that she says “crossed boundaries” by harassing her, with one even leaving troubling voicemails at her workplace. Jones went on to ask fans to respect her privacy and her efforts to keep her skincare modeling work separate from her role asMary Jane in theSpider-Mangames. She also says that she is no longer actively auditioning for acting or modeling roles.
It isn’t clear yet if this means Stephanie Tyler Jones will no longer return as the physical character model for Mary Jane infutureMarvel’s Spider-Mangames, as she does say that she is thankful for the support she has gotten from fans of the series over the years. MJ’s presence in the InsomniacSpider-Manseries has always been controversial due to her playable stealth segments being slower and drawn-out compared to the blistering open-world web-swinging and combat that comprises the bulk of the games.
Regardless of how one feels aboutMary Jane’s appearance or portrayal inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, Stephanie Tyler Jones doesn’t deserve to be harassed for her role, especially when her mistreatment at the hands of so-called “fans” is spilling over into her non-Spider-Manwork and personal life. Hopefully, followers will heed her requests for her privacy and professional life to be respected in the future.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
