Spider-Man: Homecoming had introduced Peter Parker and his best friend Ned Leeds as two awkward teenagers, and while Far from Home looks to explore Peter's romance with MJ, it seems that Ned already found someone to be with—Betty Brant.
This was hinted at in the International trailer when Ned and Betty checking in at the airport together, but a quick screenshot in one of the other scenes show the two holding hands:
Ned has a Girlfriend!!
from
r/marvelstudios
What's interesting is, Betty actually has a romantic past with Peter in the comics, and this was even hinted at in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 when ‘Evil' Peter flirts with Betty (a.k.a. J. Jonah Jameson's secretary). It looks like Ned finding a girlfriend could be some kind of stepping stone for Peter finding romance on his own—hence him realizing his feelings for MJ.
Personally, I would have loved to see Peter have more romances before he ends up with MJ in this franchise. Liz Allan was already an interesting choice, but what about Gwen Stacy or Felicia Hardy/Black Cat? I guess Betty's out of the picture now that she's dating Ned.
If anything, I hope the MCU Spider-Man has a lot more interesting changes in the formula moving forward. I loved all the changes they did with Homecoming, including the fact that the villain actually survives in the end, and Flash Thompson is a more realistic bully. I mean, if Peter goes to a school with an emphasis on science and tech, it wouldn't make sense for him to be tormented by the usual jock type.
Catch Spider-Man: Far from Home in theaters July 5.
See Also: Liz Allan Could Come Back for Spider-Man: Far from Home
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