Woke

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The character of Spider-Man, affectionately known as Your Neighborhood Spidey, made its return in January to positive reception, yet it was clouded by controversy. Hudson Thames, who voices Peter Parker/Spider-Man from the animated series “What If…?”, found himself at the center of a storm when comments he made during an interview promoting the show’s premiere went viral. In this conversation, Thames expressed his initial worries that the show might be too politically correct or ‘woke’, a sentiment that was widely criticized. With some distance from the heated discussion, the actor is now clarifying his stance.

In a chat on Instagram, Thames explained that he believed the media selectively focused on and misused his remarks without proper context, trying to create some controversy. Subsequently, he tried to take back his earlier statement about the show being ‘woke’.

It appears that my words were taken out of context, used to create a stir without fully understanding the conversation we were having. We were discussing the comments online about the show’s approach to diversity and equality before its release, which some people found worrying or insincere. I became defensive and wanted to defend the show because it didn’t resort to underhanded tactics, as I believe Jeff [Trammell] wrote authentically about these themes. In truth, I was trying to praise the way these issues were handled in the show, which is part of the reason I was initially drawn to it.

Hudson Thames’ Initial ‘Spider-Man’ Comments Garnered Viral Criticism

The controversial statement drew a lot of criticism due to the use of the term “woke,” which is often seen as representing an insincere or forced emphasis on diversity and equality. During his first interview, Hudson Thames expressed his initial concerns about Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, saying, “I thought it was fantastic. To be honest, my main worry was that it would become bothersome and ‘woke,’ but it wasn’t, and I was thrilled because the writing was exceptional, it felt genuine. As the eldest of five brothers, I have a sense of what goes on in their lives during high school, and it seemed to capture that authenticity.

In the Disney+ series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” crafted by Jeff Trammell, we follow Peter Parker’s (Thames) origin tale and his early days as Spider-Man. This series unfolds in a different timeline compared to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Norman Osborn stepping into Tony Stark’s mentor role. In this universe, Peter Parker remains Caucasian, but the world around him is diverse. His friend Nico (Grace Song) identifies as Asian and LGBTQ+, while both Norman and Harry Osborn (Zeno Robinson) are Black in this narrative.

The initial season of this show has received exceptional praise, scoring a remarkable 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and a general agreement that it’s “A heartwarming adaptation of the original Spider-Man comic book series, with innovative twists to the storyline, this family-friendly Spider-Man is an even more endearing portrayal of the Marvel hero.” The show has already been commissioned for two additional seasons. Season 2 will air in 2026, and a third season is currently being planned.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is currently streaming on Disney+.

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2025-03-12 21:31