Checks date. Okay, not April’s Fools.
Sony and Marvel/Disney announced a deal late Monday night that would bring the next ‘Spider-Man’ movie to Marvel Studios. A release date has been set for July 28, 2017, but Spidey will also appear in another Marvel film – such as with “Avengers” characters like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America.
But who will be the new Spider-Man? Tobey Maguire played Peter Parker from the first trilogy (‘Spider-Man’ in 2002, ‘Spider-Man 2’ in 2004 and ‘Spider-Man 3’ in 2007), and The Wrap reporter Linda Ge confirmed Andrew Garfield, who rebooted the series with ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ in 2012, is no longer doing the role.
So c’mon Marvel. Make Mine Miles. That is, Miles Morales.
Brian Michael Bendis introduced the character in the “Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Spider-Man” series in 2011. Teenager, Miles Morales was given superhuman abilities from an accidental spider bite. Initially averse to his newfound talents, he changes his mind after witnessing Spider-Man’s death and knowing he could’ve helped; with some coaxing from his best friend, he takes over the late hero’s identity, sporting the costume and fighting crime all over New York.
Now, moving to MM would allow them to have a new version of the origin that wouldn’t retread Parker’s again. The fact that there have already been so many Spider-Man movies means that as far as the audience is concerned, there already is an established Peter Parker (or two). This means that there’s already a great history in place to jump off from, even if it isn’t (and shouldn’t be) recognized as part of MCU continuity.
The perfect way to do this would be to make the first MCU Spider-Man film an origin story for Morales. Peter Parker can be mentioned and discussed, and since the audience is so familiar with his exploits and origins, his history can be be treated with a light touch in the MCU films. Referenced, but not elaborated on. Sort of like the first Hulk film.
Personally, I like the idea that MCU Peter Parker has been operating for years as a low-profile vigilante who mostly solved street crime in New York. Until Moralas’ debut, MCU Spider-Man is just a urban myth that was only discussed in trashy tabloids like the Daily Bugle.
Or how about this, Peter Parker dies heroically during the Infinity War after becoming a crucial part of the MCU. Large public funeral. Later, Miles Morales emerges and eventually earns the acceptance of Peter’s friends and family. Basically taking the Ultimate storyline and merging it with the MCU.
I’m pretty sure that we are light years away from any of this happening. I read a quote from Sony’s Doug Belgrad’s that indicates that it won’t be Miles Morales: “Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future.”
While this doesn’t necessarily prove that it’s gonna be Peter Parker behind the mask, it would seem to indicate as much. So Miles Morales may be out, but that doesn’t mean Childish Gambino A.K.A. Donald Glover still couldn’t get cast as Peter Parker. I actually think he has the perfect boyish manner to be Spiderman. Even if he is a thirty something now. The real deciding factor will be whether the relatively unknown Miles Morales name can make as much money as the Peter Parker name, which everybody knows.
It’s going to be really jarring seeing a really well done Spider-Man in the MCU films, only to see him go back to being a trainwreck in whatever Sony produces. All we need now is for the Fantastic Four film to bomb. Hard.
-Dagobot
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