Honestly, walking out of the theater in 2017, everyone was buzzing about that one scene. You know the one. Peter Parker shows up at his prom date’s house, the door opens, and Adrian Toomes—the guy he’s been trying to take down all movie—is standing there with a suburban dad grin. It was a massive twist. But for Spider-Man: Homecoming Laura Harrier, that moment wasn't just a plot device; it was the beginning of the end for her character, Liz Allan.
She was the popular, brilliant senior who actually liked the "loser" Peter Parker. Then, her life imploded. Her dad went to prison, her family moved to Oregon, and she basically vanished from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for years.
The Casting Panic and the Zendaya Factor
Before the movie even hit screens, there was this weird tension behind the scenes that Laura Harrier has been pretty open about. Imagine you’ve just done the biggest screen test of your life for a Marvel movie. You’re waiting by the phone. Then, you see a news alert: "Zendaya cast in Spider-Man."
Most people would just give up right there. Harrier actually did. She told Net-a-Porter that she assumed she’d lost the job to Zendaya. It turns out, Marvel was doing something they don't get enough credit for. They weren't just casting one woman of color as a lead; they were casting two.
"I called my agent and they reassured me I was still in the running," she recalled. It’s kinda refreshing to hear that even stars at that level get that "I'm not good enough" anxiety. The fact that Liz and MJ (Michelle Jones) both existed in the same space without the movie making it a "thing" about their race felt authentic to a New York City high school.
Why Liz Allan Mattered More Than We Realized
In the comics, Liz Allan has a decades-long, messy history. She was the first girl Peter ever liked, long before Gwen Stacy or Mary Jane Watson were even a thought in Stan Lee's head. In the MCU, Harrier’s version of Liz served a very specific purpose. She was the personification of the "normal life" Peter was desperately trying to keep.
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She wasn't a damsel.
She was the captain of the academic decathlon team.
She was organized, stressed about her future, and genuinely kind.
When she leaves at the end of the film, it’s a gut punch because Peter didn't just lose a girl; he realized that being Spider-Man has real, lasting consequences for the people he cares about. He saved the day, but he ruined her life. That’s the classic Spider-Man tragedy.
The "No Way Home" Easter Egg You Might Have Missed
For a long time, fans wondered if Liz was "blipped" by Thanos or if she was out there somewhere living a bitter life in Oregon. We finally got a tiny, blink-and-you'll-miss-it update in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
During the opening montage where Peter’s identity is revealed to the world, you can see a magazine cover. It’s a People magazine (or a very close MCU lookalike) featuring Liz. The headline basically brands Peter a liar.
It makes sense.
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Imagine finding out the guy you almost went to prom with was the reason your dad is in a high-security federal prison. The resentment there has to be off the charts. Some fans have even theorized she could return as a version of the Vulture herself, or maybe even the character "Misery" from the newer comics. While that’s mostly Reddit speculation, the MCU has a habit of bringing back loose ends when you least expect it.
Life After Marvel: Laura Harrier’s Real-World Rise
While Liz Allan moved to Oregon, Laura Harrier’s career went in the complete opposite direction. She didn't get stuck in the "superhero girlfriend" trap.
Shortly after Homecoming, she landed a massive role in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman. She played Patrice Dumas, a civil rights activist who was about as far from a high school senior as you can get. Then came Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood on Netflix, where she played Camille Washington.
She’s basically become a staple in the fashion world too. If you follow her on Instagram or see her at the Met Gala, it’s clear she’s carved out a space that’s much more "prestige drama and high fashion" than "blockbuster action."
Was She Underused?
Some critics and fans argue that Harrier was sidelined, especially since Zendaya’s MJ became the primary focus of the next two films. There’s a valid point there. In the marketing for Homecoming, she was often left off the posters. Even in the trailers, the focus was heavily on the Peter/Tony Stark dynamic.
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But looking back, that might have been intentional to keep the Vulture twist a secret. If you build up Liz too much, people start looking for her connection to the villain. By keeping her as the "attainable high school crush," the reveal that she’s the daughter of a black-market arms dealer hits way harder.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re a fan of Harrier’s work or just curious about how that era of Spider-Man holds up, there are a few things worth checking out:
- Re-watch the "Car Ride" Scene: Go back to Spider-Man: Homecoming and watch the tension in the car when Michael Keaton is figuring out Peter's secret. Notice Harrier’s performance in the background—she’s playing the oblivious, excited teenager perfectly, which makes the scene 10x more stressful.
- Check out BlacKkKlansman: If you want to see her range, this is the one. It proves she wasn't just a "pretty face" in a Marvel suit.
- Keep an eye on "White Men Can't Jump": She starred in the 2023 remake, showing she can still handle the big studio "popcorn" movies while doing her indie work.
The story of Liz Allan feels unfinished in the MCU. With the multiverse open and Peter Parker starting a new, lonely life at the end of No Way Home, there’s always a chance for a messy, dramatic reunion. Whether she returns as a friend or a foe, Laura Harrier left a mark on the franchise that most people are only just starting to fully appreciate.
Actionable Insight: If you're following the career of any "breakout" Marvel star, look at their first project after the franchise. That’s usually where they show you who they actually want to be as an artist. In Harrier’s case, she chose social commentary and historical drama—a bold move that paid off.
Next Steps: You might want to look into the "vulture's daughter" comic history to see if there are any hints about a potential return for Liz in Spider-Man 4.