
Marvel fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on the fourth Spider-Man movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but a new controversy has taken center stage, stirring heated debate online.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has been a cornerstone of the MCU since his debut in Captain America: Civil War (2016). His solo trilogy—Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and the record-breaking Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)—offered a fresh take on Peter Parker’s journey, balancing teenage struggles with superhero responsibilities.
Of course, No Way Home became an instant blockbuster, introducing the concept of the Multiverse in spectacular fashion, bringing back beloved villains, and uniting Holland with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in a cinematic event that thrilled audiences worldwide. The film grossed nearly $2 billion, solidifying itself as one of the highest-grossing movies in history.
Following a rough patch for the MCU at the box office, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) has reignited fan enthusiasm. Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the film became Disney’s second billion-dollar success of the year, following Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (2024). Meanwhile, Moana 2 (2024) surpassed $1 billion in early 2025.
Despite No Way Home’s massive success, Spider-Man 4 has faced delays. Holland previously confirmed that the project was paused due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, but Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige reassured fans in July 2024 that development had resumed. Holland later revealed in 2024 that filming is scheduled to begin in summer, with Marvel Studios slotting the film for a July 2026 release, following Avengers: Doomsday (2026) in May.
However, Holland isn’t the only actor to voice Spider-Man in Marvel projects.
Back in 2021, Marvel Animation debuted What If…?, a Disney+ animated series exploring alternate MCU realities. While some actors returned to voice their characters, others—including Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson—did not. Hudson Thames stepped in to voice Peter Parker/Spider-Man in place of Holland.
Marvel Studios confirmed that Thames will reprise the role in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (formerly Spider-Man: Freshman Year), a return that was officially announced at the D23 Expo during Marvel Animation’s panel.
Marvel executive Brad Winderbaum previously explained that the series explores an alternate timeline where Norman Osborn (voiced by Colman Domingo) mentors Peter Parker instead of Tony Stark, setting Peter on an entirely new trajectory with unexpected challenges.
Joining Thames and Domingo in the cast are Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Eugene Byrd as Lonnie Lincoln, Grace Song as Nico Minoru, Hugh Dancy as Otto Octavius, Kari Wahlgren as May Parker, Zeno Robinson as Harry Osborn, and Paul F. Tompkins as Bentley Whittman.
The series will roll out its ten episodes over four weeks, ensuring a tight release schedule. However, recent comments from its lead actor have sparked backlash, with some fans calling for Marvel to replace him.
During an interview with Collider, Thames was asked about the show’s direction, and his response quickly drew criticism.
“I thought it was awesome. I mean, my biggest fear was that it was gonna be annoying and woke, and it wasn’t, and I was like, ‘Yes, this is great, it’s so well written,’ like it feels real,” Thames said. “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” has become a flashpoint in cultural discussions, often used negatively in debates about diversity and inclusion. Social media erupted in response, with some fans urging Marvel to replace Thames. @Spidey_pte tweeted:
“My campaign for Josh Keaton to replace Hudson Thames as the show’s new Spider-Man voice actor starts NOW #Keaton4FNSM”
Echoing that sentiment, @FandomCrunch wrote:
“You know #YourFriendlyNeighborhoodSpiderMan was pretty freaking good, but you know Hudson Thames had to make a stupid comment that’s already sinking the show. Which btw the show in his terms is pretty ‘woke.’ Recast the pathetic man’s voice get someone who is worthy to continue the voice of Spider-Man.”
In response to the controversy, showrunner Jeff Tramell took to Reddit to address the situation, though the debate shows no signs of fading.
“Ha, I love Hudson and didn’t focus too much on what he said,” Tramell wrote. “I believe he simply misspoke, and I know that’s been weighing on him. I think we made a fantastic show that is going to appeal to a wide audience and hopefully captures what I love about this Spider-Man: that he’s a guy who cares deeply about the people around him and always tries to do the right thing.”
As of now, Hudson Thames has not released any further statement. The first two episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man premiered on January 29, with three more scheduled for release on February 5 and 12. The final two episodes will air on February 19.

Beyond Holland’s portrayal, Spider-Man has seen multiple live-action and animated adaptations. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007) set a high bar, with Tobey Maguire in the lead role, while Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man films (2012, 2014) delivered a more grounded, emotional take on the character.
Both Maguire and Garfield returned in No Way Home, bridging the gap between Spider-Man universes and delivering an unforgettable cinematic experience. In animation, Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) introduced audiences to Miles Morales, whose journey continued in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse currently in development.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Cage is set to reprise his role as Spider-Man Noir in an upcoming live-action series for MGM+ and Amazon Prime. “Expanding the Marvel Universe with Noir is a uniquely special opportunity,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios. “The extremely talented Nicolas Cage is an ideal choice for our new superhero.”
How do you feel about Hudson Thames’ comments? Let us know in the comments below!