Marvel Studios is working on a new animated series called Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and it will take a different approach from the existing Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. Showrunner Jeff Trammell explained that placing the show within the MCU would limit storytelling options and the potential length of the series.
By setting it in a separate “sister timeline,” the show can explore new stories without sticking to the usual MCU rules. For example, Peter Parker will have a new origin story where Norman Osborn is his mentor instead of Tony Stark, and he’ll experience a different high school life. The show aims to show a wider range of emotions for Peter, including both his victories and challenges, presenting him as a more complex and growing hero.
He explained, “I’m a huge fan of the MCU Spider-Man films, but if our show existed in the main MCU timeline, we would be severely limited in the types of stories we could tell and would have a pretty short shelf life. Taking place in a sister timeline one universe over allows us quite a bit more freedom and helps us tell stories that don’t necessarily have to go down a familiar route.”
Related: Mad Max Director May Take Over MCU’s World War Hulk
The animation style will be different from the popular Spider-Verse movies. Trammell mentioned that they are working to create a unique look that feels like a comic book in motion, inspired by various contemporary comic artists and classic ones like John Romita and Steve Ditko. The production team is collaborating with 2D animation studios to achieve this distinctive visual style.
Character relationships will also change. Peter Parker will have a close friendship with Nico Minoru, and characters like Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn, and Lonnie Lincoln will be reimagined for this version of Spider-Man. This way, while some elements will feel familiar, there will also be surprising twists.
Trammell shared his personal love for Spider-Man, highlighting how relatable Peter Parker’s struggles with self-doubt and the need for acceptance can be for people of all ages. The show aims to capture this relatable side of Peter, focusing on his growth and the development of his friendships.
The creative team wants to deliver a fresh and memorable Spider-Man experience. The series is set to premiere on Disney+ on January 29, 2025, as part of Marvel Studios’ effort to expand into animation following the success of the Spider-Verse films.
Source: Animation Magazine
