‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Star Discusses Concerns Over MAGA Influences in Marvel Films

Hudson Thames Sparks Online Debate Over ‘Woke’ Comments on Spider-Man Series

Actor Hudson Thames, known for his role in Marvel’s animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (YFNSM), has initiated a heated discussion on social media following his remarks about the show’s script.

Thames Reflects on Series

During an interview with Collider, Thames, who voiced the iconic character Peter Parker in Marvel’s What If…?, expressed his enthusiasm for the series. He stated, “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. 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.”

Controversial Terminology

Thames’s use of the term “woke”has raised eyebrows, particularly as Collider highlighted that this phrase often serves as a coded critique from some MAGA supporters who oppose efforts toward inclusivity and representation for marginalized communities. The backlash was swift, with many surprised by Thames’s choice of words.

This writer is brave for referring to the term “woke” for what it actually is when these people say it. A fucking dogwhistle.https://t.co/DdtXpY75VT pic.twitter.com/6SHcMxJftw

— Monkee D. Hernandy (@hernandy_s) January 28, 2025

Context of Representation in Spider-Man

Thames’s comments come shortly after the success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel, which have been praised for their diverse representation, particularly concerning the character of Miles Morales. Additionally, the series features actor Colman Domingo, a Black actor voicing the traditionally white character Norman Osborn, which has resulted in backlash alleging anti-woke sentiments.

I don’t have a lot of context and I don’t know the tone he said it in, etc., but it’s still just so telling that Disney/Marvel actors are throwing the word “woke” around now

— The Green Kasey? (@RawbertBeef) January 28, 2025

Reactions and Ramifications

Critics have pointed out the contradiction between Thames’s comments and the legacy of Spider-Man’s creator, Stan Lee, who famously condemned bigotry and racism. One user noted, “Stan Lee literally said ‘Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today, ’ and Hudson Thames is out here saying he was worried about Spider-Man being too ‘woke.’”

Stan Lee literally said “Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today.”and Hudson Thames is out here saying he was worried about Spider-Man being too “woke”… What dipshit https://t.co/6d3qxDFxDM

— TrollHunter (@CBeckman25) January 28, 2025

How the audience will respond to YFNSM remains to be seen, especially with some anticipating negative reactions rooted in Thames’s remarks. Comments on social media suggest a potential divide developing around the show, with one user stating, “… [W]hat he said doesn’t make any sense. I watched YFNSM last week, and this site will soon be flooded with idiots calling the show woke.”

As YFNSM navigates the tumultuous landscape of viewer expectation and criticism, it faces the additional challenge of an audience that has, in later times, been increasingly selective towards Disney’s Marvel content. Currently, the first two episodes of the series are available to stream on Disney+.

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