Here’s Why It’s Good That Miles Morales Isn’t The Next Big Screen Spider-Man

Since the 21st century kicked off we’ve been presented with 5 Spider Man movies, 2 different Parker Parkers, 1 radioactive spider bite based origin story told and then retold and a slew of villains with everything pretty much focused around The Orborne/Green Goblin story line. That was a condensed look at what the wild world of Marvel’s favorite web slinger has been since Marvel re entered the movie scene. In that same time frame we’ve seen the X men falter and the Avengers reset the bar for cinematic success. Now as Spider Man is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe many are upset that the Peter Parker approach wasn’t replaced with the fresh new kid on the block, Miles Morales the Black & Latino Spider Man from Marvel’s Ultimate Comics. As great as that might have been I’m glad they stayed with Peter as Spider Man. Here’s a few reasons why.

Icon Status

Peter Parker is a fixture within the Marvel Universe. While the previous two takes on Spider Man suffered from plots that tried to do too much in too little time, that doesn’t change the place Spider Man has in Marvel especially in New York where so much of the Avengers are stationed. Peter Parker deserves the proper MCU treatment. The interactions between Spider Man and Tony Stark alone are comedic gold waiting to happen. Spider Man’s under dog status among the power houses of the Avengers is a perspective that will be good to see. Truthfully Miles hasn’t reached that level yet.

Diversity

There are a number of positives that could come from having a brown face under the mask of Spider Man for movie goers. It would be a change to the status quo that is rarely seen. Just as many people wanted to see John Stewart as Green Lantern vs the Hal Jordan movie we got, I fully understand what this could mean but for me it would really come across more like a token move vs being a genuine move for diversity and inclusion. Plus the story arc that is in motion plays better to have Peter Parker in the mix instead of the new comer Morales. At this stage let Falcon grow in this role, let’s see Black Panther be the massive force he is supposed to be. I don’t want Miles lost in the growing numbers of the Avengers. There is a better space for a Miles based project.

Grass Roots

Instead of lumping in a new Spider Man that is still a virtual unknown to many, give Miles Morales his own platform to grow on. Introduce him via network TV or even Netflix. Let the people really come up with and become invested in Miles. His story comes with a number of intricate elements that would get lost in the massive Civil War & Infinity War events upcoming in the MCU. Keep Miles intimate and local for now. The truth is that characters based around people of color have little room for error so let’s really get it right so when Miles does make a big screen appearance it’s truly a powerful moment and not merely a politically correct cameo.