Hudson Thames praises 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' script for being well written after initially feeling apprehensive about the show being 'annoying and woke.'
- January 29, 2025
AceShowbiz - Hudson Thames, the voice behind the iconic Peter Parker in Disney+'s upcoming animated series "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man," opens up about his initial fears.
As anticipation is sky-high for Disney+'s latest Marvel venture, which is set to premiere on January 29, Thames candidly discussed his concerns about the series.
"I thought it was awesome. I mean, my biggest fear was that it was gonna be annoying and woke, and it wasn't," Thames said to Collider. "I was like, 'Yes, this is great, it's so well written,' like it feels real. I'm the oldest of five boys, so I feel like I kind of know what's happening in their lives and in high school, and it felt like it was doing that justice."
The term "woke" is defined by Merriam-Webster as being "aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues, especially issues of racial and social justice." However, in recent times, "woke" has been weaponized by critics who view diversity and inclusivity as negative.
Disney has often been at the center of this debate. Conservative critics, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, have accused the entertainment giant of promoting overly progressive messages in its content. Despite this, Disney continues to push forward with projects that aim to offer authentic and diverse storytelling.
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" promises to bring a fresh and engaging spin on the web-slinger's adventures. The show features a stellar voice cast, including Colman Domingo, Eugene Byrd, Grace Song, Zeno Robinson, Hugh Dancy, Charlie Cox, and Vincent D'Onofrio.
The series is helmed by head writer Jeff Trammell and supervising director Mel Zwyer, with Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Trammell serving as executive producers.
Thames previously voiced Peter Parker in the Disney+ series "What If…?" in 2021, taking over the role from Tom Holland, who portrays Spider-Man in the MCU's live-action films.
With "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" poised for its debut, Thames' reassurances about the series being "awesome" set high expectations. The show aims to strike a balance between engaging storytelling and authentic representation, ensuring Spider-Man remains a hero for all.
