With the release of the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man trailer itâs revealed that Marvel has introduced new Black versions of Norman Osborn and Harry Osborn.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year becomes Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
The series was meant at one time to be the origin story for the MCUâs Spider-Man originally titled Spider-Man: Freshman Year set before the events of Captain America: Civil War, but has since been changed where the show takes place in an alternate timeline where Norman Osborn becomes the mentor of Peter Parker, not Tony Stark.
Not set in the MCU
The details for the series were first revealed back in 2022 with art and images released. However, as fans pointed out at the time, the details didnât sync up with the MCU. Spider-Man: No Way Home established various characters didnât exist in the MCU, yet are present in the animated series. Well, itâs because Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is not set in the MCU (anymore).
Black Harry Osborn
The images released for Spider-Man: Freshman Year at the time also led to fans questioning if the characters were indeed Black versions of Norman and Harry Osborn, which the trailer and IMDb now make clear.
Not from the X-Men â97 showrunner
The trailer also says Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is from the same studio that brought you X-Men â97. While true, itâs from Marvel Studios, itâs not from former X-Men â97 showrunner Beau DeMayo (who recently blasted Marvelâs WhatâŠIf? Season 3).
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man created by LGBTQ Craig of the Greek writer
Jeff Trammell is the head writer who hasnât previously worked with Marvel, according to IMDb. Trammell is known for Craig of the Greek, which according to Wiki âfeatures themes of friendship, diversity, and LGBTQ representation that have attracted a broad fanbase.â
Voice cast
Marvel.com has also confirmed the voice cast. Voicing Norman Osborn is Colman Domingo who is known for lots of roles including Lincoln, Selma, Fear The Walking Dead, and Passing Strange.
Voicing Harry Osborn (yes, Harry is a male though it is presently unknown if he identifies as one) is Zeno Robinson who is known for voicing characters in Marvelâs WhatâŠ? If?, The Milk Chug, Bleach, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Transformers: Earthspark, Batman: Arkham Shadow, and more.
New look at Harry Osborn in âYOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MANâ
â MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) December 30, 2024
Voiced by the talented Zeno Robinson. pic.twitter.com/Iauyy4jlRS
The additional cast includes Hugh Dancy as Doc Ock, Kari Wahlgren as Aunt May, Paul F. Tompkins as Bentley Witman, Eugene Byrd as Lonnie Lincoln, Grace Song as Nico Minoru.
30-year-old Hudson Thames provides the voice for teen highschooler Peter Parker and Spider-Man.
Not the MCUâs Daredevil & Kingpin
Charlie Cox is also supposed to voice Daredevil, with Vincent DâOnofrio as Wilson Fisk, but again, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in an alternate timeline so that wonât be the MCUâs Man Without Fear or Kingpin.
âCelebrates the characterâs early comic book rootsâ
The trailer also changes the cover of the origin of Spider-Man from the original comics created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Stan Lee would have celebrated his 102nd birthday yesterday.
Release and story
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man drops on January 29, 2025 on Disney+. The animated series consists of ten episodes and is officially described as following Peter Parker on his way to becoming a hero, with a journey unlike weâve ever seen and a style that celebrates the characterâs early comic book roots.
