There is new hope for theSpider-Man franchisefollowing the failedAmazing Spider-Manreboot at Sony. Now, with Marvel Studios in control,Tom Hollandis set to reprise his role as the webslinger fromCaptain America: Civil WarinSpider-Man: Homecomingnext year. As much excitement as there is, there is maybe just as much disappointment, because many fans wanted to see the Miles Morales version ofSpider-Manon the big screen. Well, it turns out those fans may still be in luck.
Even though the live-action version ofSpider-Manis going to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe continuity, Sony is planning a separateSpider-Man Animated Moviethat is set to be released in 2018. A new casting call from Backstage seems to imply that this animatedSpider-Manmovie will follow Miles Morales and notPeter Parker. Here are a couple of character descriptions from the casting call that seem to point to this being the case.
“(Lead) Terrence: a young African-American/Puerto Rican teen from Brooklyn; he is new to this suburban school and now feeling out of place, overwhelmed, pressured with new responsibilities, and dealing with puberty; while trying to fit in he must do his best to stay out of trouble; along the way in developing his identity he’s losing old friends but now making a new one, Pete. (Supporting) Pete: a young, slightly geeky, Asian-American teen; he’s smart, sweet, and encouraging; although very unlike any of the friends Terrence had in his old Brooklyn neighborhood, Pete proves to be a good fit for Terrence making good decisions.”
The movie is currently going under the working title “Cabin Fever” and the names Terrance and Pete also appear to be placeholders in order to keep things secret. Anyone familiar with the character of Miles Morales can read the description for Terrance and instantly recognize a ton of similarities. The description for Pete would seem to match up pretty well to his buddy Ganke Lee from the comics. So it looks more and more like an alternate version ofSpider-Manis on the way.
For those who may not know,Miles Moralestook up theSpider-Manmantle in the Ultimate Marvel Universe (which takes place outside of the main Marvel Comics Universe) following the death of Peter Parker. He is a young kid of African American and Hispanic descent and has powers similar to Parker’s Spider-Man, but with some differences. The character first appeared in 2011 and quickly became a huge hit with fans and there has been demand to see him on the big screen pretty much from the get-go.
Prior to the announcement thatTom Hollandwould be playingSpider-Manin the new live-action version, there was a pretty significant fan campaign to have Miles Morales be the focus of what we now know asSpider-Man: Homecoming. There was also a pretty big demand to seeDonald Gloverplay him, since he voiced the animated character in theUltimate Spider-Manseries. That didn’t pan out, butDonald Gloverdid wind up getting a part inSpider-Man: Homecoming, but we don’t yet know who he is playing exactly.
There has been speculation previously that this new animatedSpider-Manmovie would follow Miles and not Peter, which now seems much more certain. Beyond that, we don’t know a whole lot about the project, outside of the fact that it will be released theatrically and is going to be directed byPhil Lord and Chris Miller, who helmedThe LEGO Movieand are currently working on the youngHan SoloStar Warsmovie. No voice cast has been announced yet, but it looks like with this casting call out, things will be ramping up. The animatedSpider-Manmovie is set to hit theaters onDecember 21, 2018.
