The world over is familiar with Peter Parker and his superhero alias, Spider-Man. He is the webbed Avenger, The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the man who claims with great power comes great responsibility. However, Peter Parker is not the only Spider-Man in comics. The next-most-famous webbed Avenger is none other than Brooklyn’s own Miles Morales.
Miles Morales was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe back in 2011. The Ultimate Universe is separate from our universe, the main Marvel comic book universe, formally known as the 616 universe. After the events of 2015’sSecret Wars, the two universes merge, and Miles Morales and Peter Parker share the mantle of Spider-Man in the present day.
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There is every reason to believe this very thing could happen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).Lokiunlocked the possibility for a multiverse in the MCU, andSpider-Man: No Way Homeappears to be expanding that idea in a very serious way. Miles Morales is an instantly likable character. There are several reasons whya Miles Morales moviewould be a great way to both reboot and continue Spider-Man’s cinematic lore.
Expand the MCU/Multiverse
There have been a plethora of Spider-Man characters that have not been in Tom Holland’s first Spider-Man trilogy. They could easily find a lasting place in the MCU through Miles. There are valid reasons for some of these characters’ absences in the MCU. Norman Osborne was used in the previous two iterations of Spider-Man, and this led to some Green Goblin fatigue. Although the Green Goblin will appear inSpider-Man: No Way Home, audiences do not yet know which universe he comes from. This is such a pivotal character, as theGreen Goblin is Spider-Man’s archnemesis.
In lieu of the fact that there has not been an Uncle Ben in the MCU, there can be an Uncle Ben-like storyline for Miles. Marvel and Sony could also introduce the Staceys and other pivotal Spider-Man characters through a new version of Spider-Man in the form of Miles Morales.
Heed Calls for Increasing Diversity
When the MCU launched, most of the cast of characters was fairly homogenous, with few people of color in significant roles. That has fortunately changed for the better in latter phases of the MCU, to the point where movies likeEternalsare purposefully and intersectionally diverse.
Miles Morales is both Black and Puerto Rican. There has been a significant and unfortunate lack of Latinx representation in the MCU to date. For a universe whose center is in New York City, one of the most diverse cities on planet Earth, this is both laughable and unacceptable.
More Spider-Man Villains
Even with Tom Holland having three more Spider-Man movies afterSpider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man has a massive rogues gallery that will not all get their shine in these movies. As previously mentioned, Miles can bring new characters and new supervillains into the MCU. Aside from the aforementioned Norman Osborne/Green Goblin, there are a plethora of other villains that Miles can face off against.
Audiences now know thatVenom will soon be appearing in the MCU. Having a villain so tenacious fight against a character so young and pure of heart would make for great on-screen duality. The same is true for characters like Kraven the Hunter, the Kingpin, and more.
Further Explore NYC in an MCU Film
The Avengers, Spider-Man: Homecoming,and the ongoing Disney+ seriesHawkeyehave all done commendable jobs familiarizing audiences with the New York City of the MCU. It is a place of intrigue, alien invasions, and the famous Avengers Tower. However, a Miles Morales Spider-Man film couldexplore New York City even further. Miles hails from Brooklyn, arguably the most hip and coolest of New York City’s five boroughs. There are Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, historically Black neighborhoods filled with brownstones, Russian neighborhoods, and more.
Miles can expand the sensation of New York thatSpider-Man: Homecominggave audiences. A thoroughly lived-in, diverse, and vibrant city. The very beating heart of the MCU.
Two Spider-Men are Better than One
Currently in Marvel comics and in Spider-Man video games, Peter Parker and Miles Morales share Spider-Man duties. With the Avengers still somewhat in disarray after the events ofAvengers: Endgameand great threats still looming on the horizon, Peter Parker cannot look after New York City all by himself. Even with Daredevil and Moon Knight entering the MCU, New York City can always use another hero, especially one with Spider-Man’s abilities and smarts.
Many fans also think of Spider-Man as a teenager, which he currently is in the MCU. However, this will not last forever, and it makes sense for Spider-Man to explore his early adulthoodas Tom Holland ages. The advent of Miles in the MCU would allow the franchise to keep one Spider-Man extremely youthful, and have the other as a mentor. Miles Morales is a great character who has already been featured in his own animated film and video game. Now, it is time for him to star on the silver screen, both alongside Peter Parker and on his own as Spider-Man.
