‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ poster. (Image courtesy: Disney+ via Collider)
Marvel fans are eagerly awaiting the Disney+ Spider-Man series - 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man', the latest animated adventure swinging onto Disney+ on January 29. But before stepping into the role of the beloved web-slinger, voice actor Hudson Thames had some reservations about the show’s direction.
In a recent interview with Collider, Thames admitted that he was initially worried the series might feel “annoying and woke.” However, his doubts quickly disappeared once he read the script.
“I thought it was awesome,” Thames shared enthusiastically. “My biggest fear was that it was gonna be annoying and woke, and it wasn’t. I was like, ‘Yes! This is great.’ It’s so well written, and it feels real.”
Thames, who is the eldest of five brothers, felt the series genuinely captured the essence of high school life and young adulthood. “I kind of know what’s happening in their lives, and this show does justice to that,” he added.
The term “woke” has evolved into a controversial buzzword, originally used to describe social awareness but often twisted into a catch-all critique of diversity and inclusivity in media. Disney, in particular, has faced backlash from conservative circles for allegedly pushing so-called “woke” messaging, with high-profile figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump weighing in on the debate.
Despite the discourse, the latest Disney+ Spider-Man series - Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the Marvel universe, featuring an all-star cast that includes Colman Domingo, Kari Wahlgren, Hugh Dancy, Charlie Cox, and Vincent D’Onofrio.
Behind the scenes, the series is helmed by head writer Jeff Trammell and supervising director Mel Zwyer. Marvel powerhouses Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Trammell himself are on board as executive producers, ensuring that Spidey’s latest adventure will be one to remember.With Hudson Thames fully on board and fans buzzing with anticipation, all signs point to Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man being another Marvel hit.
