Recent online conversations suggest that Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man isn’t garnering the excitement expected from fans. The spotlight is currently on Hudson Thames, and his comments have sparked a storm that refuses to settle.
It’s no secret that Marvel often stirs up controversy, whether through fervent fan reactions, intricate Easter eggs that intertwine multiple storylines, or unexpected post-credits scenes. There’s always a buzz surrounding Marvel’s ventures.
Marvel’s television series particularly showcase some of the most compelling narratives within its universe. Unfortunately, many of these shows struggle to secure renewals for subsequent seasons or find their footing among audiences.
As the latest installment in this challenging landscape, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is off to a rocky beginning. Hudson Thames has become the focal point of discussion—so, who exactly is he, and what has he said to stir such reactions?
Introducing Hudson Thames
Hudson Thames lends his voice to Peter Parker, more commonly known as Spider-Man, in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. He succeeded Tom Holland in voicing Spidey for projects including the popular What If…? series.
Thames first took on the role of Spider-Man’s voice in 2021 and continued in 2025. Beyond his contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thames is also known for his prior work in film and television. His credits include films like Marmaduke and Bride Wars, along with series such as Ghosts, Mad Men, and Disney’s Shake It Up.
In addition to acting, Thames is a musician signed to Republic Records, having launched his debut album, Bambino, on January 24, 2025. However, it was an interview held just before the premiere of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man that propelled him into the spotlight.
During this interview, Thames expressed concern that the show might come across as “woke.” He remarked to Collider, “I thought it was awesome. My biggest fear was that it was gonna be annoying and woke, and it wasn’t. I was like, ‘Yes, this is great, it’s so well-written.’ It feels genuine. I’m the oldest of five boys, so I have a good sense of what’s going on in their lives and in high school, and it felt like it was doing that justice.”
The “Woke” Backlash from Fans
Unsurprisingly, Thames’ remarks did not resonate well with audiences. Following co-star Colman Domingo’s earlier experience with racist backlash regarding his role as Norman Osborn, fans have expressed that they find Thames’ comments “beyond disappointing.”
One fan expressed their disappointment on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Genuinely beyond disappointed in this news about Hudson Thames man. You’re supposed to be Spider-Man, goddamnit, act like it.”
Another chimed in, “Stan Lee literally said ‘Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today, ’ and Hudson Thames is out here worried about Spider-Man being too ‘woke’… What dipsh*t, ” pointing to the inconsistency of his comments with the beloved legacy of Spider-Man.
A third contributor noted, “Hudson Thames singlehandedly getting rid of all the hype for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man because he couldn’t keep his dumba*s mouth shut.”
Some have drawn parallels between Thames’ dip in popularity and that of Shameik Moore, known for voicing Spider-Man in the animated Spider-Verse series, who similarly faced controversy regarding his behavior toward women he worked with.
Laura Harrier says she asked SPIDER-VERSE star Shameik Moore to delete his post that included her because she’s engaged: “I asked him ‘hey can you take this down? I don’t know why you would post that, I’m getting married I don’t like this insinuation.’ It’s still up, it’s… pic.twitter.com/mZtzIUF6s
— FandomWire (@FandomWire) December 21, 2024
This situation was further complicated by comments from co-star Lauren Harrier, revealing that Moore refused to take down a post she found uncomfortable. Currently, Thames has yet to issue a public response regarding the backlash stemming from his comments.
In the meantime, viewers can catch Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which is streaming on Disney+ until February 19.
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