For years, comic book fans have been pushing for Donald Glover to don the iconic Spider-Man suit for a live-action movie. And though that wish still has yet to be granted, Glover’s Spidey dreams have indeed come true in a different way now that it’s been revealed that he’ll voice a younger version of the web slinger in a cartoon.
According to USA Today, Glover has lent his voice to the character of Miles Morales, Spidey’s 13-year-old, half-black, half-Hispanic counterpart, for a dimension-hopping arc in the new season of Disney XD’s animated series “Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors.”
For those unaware, Miles was introduced in Marvel’s Ultimate alternate universe back in 2011 after Spidey writer Brian Michael Bendis saw Glover’s Twitter campaign to play the web slinger in a live-action movie. At the time, though, fans were divided with many supporting the move to have a black Spider-Man, while others viciously shot down the idea of the iconic superhero being played by someone with dark skin.
“I don’t think it’s hit me necessarily yet how big of a deal that is,” Glover said. “I’m very grateful for that, and it’s cool to read the comic now.”
And though fans certainly want this and more for Glover, for Glover himself, having grown up favoring Spidey over all other superheroes, getting to play the character is one major dream come true.
“Spider-Man is the best because you just don’t know who he is, and he’s funny and he’s poor. I understand Spider-Man a lot on that level. He’s just trying to make it,” Glover said.
Although some may see Glover’s cartoon Spidey portrayal as nothing more than a little deal for the star, Glover says he still has hopes of playing the icon in real life.
“I still have hopes to do something like that one day. I don’t look at this as second place. Spider-Man, he’s such an icon — you have to do something with him,” he said.
We’re glad that Marvel has been pushing for so much diversity in its projects, and we’re glad to see black and brown people getting a chance to not only be the heroes, but to be the icons for fans of all ages. – nicholas robinson
