Spider-Man Disney+ Series Makes Major Change
Marvel has been in an upheaval of sorts lately as the superhero franchise met abysmal box office earnings with its latest live-action feature, The Marvels, and continues to push its upcoming slate of content back on the calendar. Now, the studio has announced (via SuperHeroHype) that its upcoming animated series, Spider-Man: Freshman Year is being rebranded as Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
The news came at a press screening for the first two episodes of the second season of the studio’s critically acclaimed animated series, What If…? with no reason presented behind the name change.
Freshman Year Is No More
Stepping away from the story that fans have come to know through the last three Tom Holland-led Jon Watts-helmed films, and the other tie-ins that Holland’s Spider-Man has been attached to in the MCU, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will take the story in a different direction. Instead of the character being under the watchful eye of Tony Stark aka Iron Man, the animated series will come from an alternate universe that sees Peter Parker mentored by Norman Osborn.
Familiar Characters
While the change of plot was never addressed by Marvel, the studio likely wanted to have space to tell a different story and introduce new characters into the fold through Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Included in the lineup of Peter’s pals will be Nico Minoru, Harry Osborn, Pearl Pangan, Lonnie Lincoln, Amadeus Cho, and Jean Foucault. On the list of foes, characters include the Rhino, Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus, Tarantula, Unicorn, Chameleon, Speed Demon, Scorpion, Carmela Black, and Butane.
Hudson Thames Voicing Spider-Man
Along with character reveals, we also know a handful of the voice actors who will be lending their talents to the Disney+ series. While audiences have come to associate the voice of Tom Holland as Peter Parker over the last few years, Hudson Thames will be the actor behind Spider-Man this time around. Also included on the call sheet are Charlie Cox, Eugene Byrd, Paul F. Tompkins, Grace Song, Zeno Robinson, Hugh Dancy, and Kari Wahlgren.
Release Date
The news of the title change came along with the announcement that audiences can expect Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man to swing onto screens via Disney+ in 2024. It will appear alongside an exciting animated slate that also includes X-Men ‘97 and Eyes of Wakanda. Expecting their cartoon story of Peter Parker to be a hit, the show has already been given a second season order.
Tom Holland’s Future As The Wall-Crawler Up In The Air
Beyond the animated series, it’s hard to say what the future holds for everyone’s favorite web-slinging superhero. After rounding out a trio of Spidey films with 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s been rather unclear if Tom Holland will return to the role that he so perfectly fits into. The actor recently said that he would consider donning the spider suit once again and saving New York City from the villains that threaten it, but still has his reservations.
Madame Web Is The Next Spider-Man-Related Release
As far as the Spider-Man universe goes, the next feature audiences can catch in theaters is the approaching Madame Web. Starring Dakota Johnson as the titular clairvoyant, the film will also feature Sydney Sweeney as Julia Carpenter aka Spider-Woman as well as two other superpower-inclined women. That film arrives on February 14, 2024.As no specific release date for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has been revealed at this time, viewers will want to keep their eyes peeled on Disney+’s 2024 schedule for more information.
