Jamie Bell might be in talks to play Spider-Man for the new reboot, but it’s Donald Glover who’s really gotten the most attention of any actor vying for the role. His fan campaign for an audition certainly got a heated discussion going in Comic Vine’s community, didn’t it? It was really only a matter of time before Stan Lee would have to comment on the matter. And comment he did, calling MTV’s Splash Page blog to specifically talk about the prospect of Mr. Glover playing Spidey.  

You can hear Stan’s statement below, but here are some choice quotes for those living outside the US...

“…as far as I'm concerned ... anybody should have a chance to audition for the role. I certainly think [Donald Glover] should have a chance to audition. We've already had the Kingpin in 'Daredevil' portrayed by a black man, where he was white in the comics, [and] we've had Nick Fury portrayed by a black man where he was white in the comics… But not that many people had seen these characters — not that many moviegoers are familiar with them. Everybody seems to be familiar with Spider-Man, so I say that it isn't that it's a racial issue — it's just that it might be confusing to people… but that's a matter for the people at Marvel to take into consideration. I certainly don't want to weigh in on it in any way, except to say I think [Glover] is a fine actor."

Stan stressed that he’s not presuming to tell Marvel how they handle anything with these movies, as he’s been very pleased with how Spider-Man done on screen. I’m not sure how directly attached Stan is to Marvel these days, anyway, let alone Sony. He’s been “Chairman Emeritus” for years now, which I’ve always understood as being more of an honorary title than anything. I’m sure he’s already too busy with his five hundred (or so) POW! Entertainment projects.  == TEASER ==

Still, he felt compelled to comment on this discussion since he received so many questions about it from his Twitter followers. The Facebook group for this might have close to 12,000 members, but Twitter’s really been the arena for this discussion. The whole thing started with the #donald4spiderman trending topic so it's not surprising that Glover tweeted in response to Stan’s statement.

@MrDonaldGlover: If you'd told me Stan Lee would one day be talkin about me in Spider-Man,it wouldn't have happened cause I would have died happy right then

Sure enough, Stan isn’t the only Spidey writer to comment on this. Bendis has joined in, as well.

@BRIANMBENDIS: i support this!! RT @ chrischuang: Hey @ BRIANMBENDIS, @ mrdonaldglover wants to be spider-man! #donald4spiderman

So certainly a lot of discussion over something something Glover probably started with tongue in  cheek. Regardless, like I’ve said, this has done wonders to raise the guy’s profile. I’ve never heard of him before this and now I want to check out the Junior Detectives MYSTERY TEAM movie he did - - it looks hilarious. 

Anyway, as I promised, here's the audio of Stan's statement. 

-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Studios and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. HYBRID BASTARDS! is available  here and UNIMAGINABLE is available here for pre-order on Amazon.com.  

I caught this sometime last night and agree with Stan. Glover isn't a bad actor, he's actually what would seem a pretty cool guy...but he's just not Spider-Man. But...am I the only person that never understand who said what when it comes to Twitter comments?

I'm African American, and I think Spider man should be white. But I'm not saying that Donald Glover wouldn't play a good Spider man. I think he should have the chance. I like Glover.
 
There's still that Static Shock thought tho lol.

Ah! I'd definitely go see that movie!
That'd be too awesome!

I am okay with Donald Glover being Spider-Man. I don't know if he would be a good one, but i am complete okay with a non-white person being Peter Parker. Spidey has inspired countless nerd/kids/fans from all races and nationalities. We all can see ourselves as the webslinger, he is awkward, witty, charming, geeky, smart, and most importantly he doesn't compromise himself for others. Peter Parker is who is he is, and who he will be. If Peter were of Arab densest for example, I still know that i could identify with him. Peter Parker, Spider-Man, and almost every hero is an idea rather than a person. The mask makes them almost inhuman in most cases,  and that allows all of us to feel like we can be the one behind the mask regardless of race. Superheroes greatest appeal for the most part is letting anyone connect with them personal and ideologically.

I think spideman must stay true to his roots.  
 
there some other black character that must have the transition like static shock

I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though.

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

I think a good actor has to play spidey this time. I dont care about races, but in my opinion Glover isn't a good one.

"no "

Has there been any news of when the Spider Man role is expected to be cast?

ugh

Why is it always about race? Why do people put themselves through this argument?  
 
If Peter Parker is identifiable by people of all races and cultures, then why even go through this whole ordeal? If Parker remains white as he's been his entire near 50-year existance, is he not still relatable to everyone regardless of skin color or race? It makes all of this pretty much a waste of time and something for everyone to talk about. And I'm guilty as charged.

Give this kid a Static movie and tell him to shut up.

why not just say that since comics are always open to interpretation movies should be the same

personally, I wouldn't have a problem with them inventing an entirely new, specifically African American character to be the new Spider-Man. It doesn't have to be Peter Parker under that mask. However, taking a specifically white character and making him non-white for a movie just because the option is available does seem a little lazy. It's gonna be tough to find any actor who resembles the role as much as Tobey Maguire did so why not just let someone new be Spider-Man? 
 
I realize that, in trying to adapt their comics to modern film and make it work, the industry is having a tough time dealing with the fact that DC and Marvel have made  their major characters almost exclusively white from the get-go. Some changes obviously had to be made in order to reflect reality (hence, Nick Fury has become a black man in all non-comic book media lately - which I find totally awesome, made his character better and gave him more dimensions.). However, it seems that the more respectful thing to do, other than just turning every white pre-existing character into a new race, would be to create new characters who aren't white and give them the same amount of creative effort and attention  that the white one's get.  
  
 So  Peter Parker should probably stay white, but Spider-Man shouldn't have to. If Danny gets the role, great. I'm sure he'll make a badass Spider-Man. But I have to say he'll be a less convincing Peter Parker. Why? Because he's African American. That's not racist, it's just reality. Peter Parker is white.  
 
The real problem here is the lack of major characters and superheroes in the DC/Marvel universes who are not white. Let's change that, instead of changing the characters. 

I want to see Stan Lee cameo as the Hypno Hustler

Seriously, what about a good actor?

" The way I look at it is that in the comics, the ones who don't know spider-man don't know if he's black or white anyway so what does it matter.  I don't know any of these other actors out there that are up for the role, I do know one thing, I don't go to see Spider-man to see Peter Parker.  I don't read Spider-man or other comics with Spiderman in them to read Peter Parker.  You put a spider-man costume on Donald Glover and he's gonna do a good job.  Sure the Spiderman is Peter Parker and people love him I get this, but if it was just a comic on Peter Parker it wouldn't sell shit.  There would be a few die hard fanboys and some inquizitve people who would by this, but it wouldn't be a huge money maker or make any kind of TOP SELLING lists.  People wouldn't go see Peter Parker the Movie.  If Donald Glover played Peter Parker with a similar portrayal as he does Troy in Community, (humor not stupidity) he would be great as Peter Parker no matter what his skin color was.  He has a mask that cover his whole face.  It's not like a black Superman or Batman.  It's a lot easier to switch the races when it comes to Spiderman.  Think of the free marketing it is too.  The hype it would bring.   Non-comic readers I know already wonder why they are re-booting the franchise anyway when it didn't need to be done so they are skeptical on if they want to see it at all.  The movie is gonna have to be one hell of a movie to do any good because Spiderman 3 was bad enough that if the new Spiderman is not good it's gonna bomb.  It'll have a good opening weekend, thats automatic but after that it's all down hill if it sucks.  If it's a good movie then it wouldn't matter if Glover is in it anyway.  If it's good work of mouth will sell it, and if Glover is in it, then it's gonna do bigger cuz people are gonna want to see it just because Spiderman is a black guy.  Just make a good movie that's the important thing.  Not Twilight with web shooters. "

" @EisforExtinction said:

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

But I can't see that being anything but a waste of time. He's not going to get it, so why audition? "

How many black superheroes have an ongoing series now? O wait, they were canceled. How about getting black writers and artists to create their own successful black superheros instead of trying to steal the white ones.

i agree with Stan Lee. it'd just be confusing

" Stan may be the man, but when he said that Nick Fury is a black man in the films but a white man in the comics, that can be contradicted because the Ultimate Nick Fury is black. Anyway, despite what people say, I think Jamie Bell should be Spidey, not that I'm against Glover for being African-American, but I think that Bell would be better suited for the role. "

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

But I can't see that being anything but a waste of time. He's not going to get it, so why audition? "

Because maybe he's so good they cast him. If not, nobody can say that he didn't have the opportunity. "

does stan not know about ultimate fury 

" How many black superheroes have an ongoing series now? O wait, they were canceled. How about getting black writers and artists to create their own successful black superheros instead of trying to steal the white ones. "

Sorry stan your the man but I agree with what Babs and G-Man said in the podcast.

http://www.comicvine.com/podcast/    

Stan Lee is so diplomatic. Gotta love him. 

I love the way everyone's comments avoid the big elephant in the room. The reason why this kid can't be Spidey is simple: HE'S BLACK!!! ... There, I said it! 
 
Jeez, what's next? Ryan Phillipe playing Blade?!

Heh. Marvel and their racial casting for movies. Wish comic vine talked less about movies and more about comics...

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

But I can't see that being anything but a waste of time. He's not going to get it, so why audition? "

Because maybe he's so good they cast him. If not, nobody can say that he didn't have the opportunity. "

But I just can't see it every happening because any half-brained production company must realize that if a black Spider-Man is cast, no matter how good the actor, it'll cut your sales in half. People won't go in droves to see it. In fact, I could see comic nerds flat out petitioning against it. Whether you agree or not, it'll happen nonetheless, hence he won't happen. Ever! I stand by that... "

Glover acts the way you expect Peter/Spider-Man to act.  Full of energy and excitement, very funny too.  Tobey was too stiff, he was loosening up over the coarse of the three movies, but he was never a great Spider-Man in how you would expect him to act.
I am not sure if Glover could act in a big movie starring him, but he does a fine job on Community.  I think he should be given a chance to audition.  My only real concern is that he is 27.  Should they be looking at younger actors?

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

But I can't see that being anything but a waste of time. He's not going to get it, so why audition? "

Because maybe he's so good they cast him. If not, nobody can say that he didn't have the opportunity. "

But I just can't see it every happening because any half-brained production company must realize that if a black Spider-Man is cast, no matter how good the actor, it'll cut your sales in half. People won't go in droves to see it. In fact, I could see comic nerds flat out petitioning against it. Whether you agree or not, it'll happen nonetheless, hence he won't happen. Ever! I stand by that... "

Well you're wrong then because I haven't seen the last two Spider-Man movies but if Donald Glover was cast I'd go see it. Another way to cut your sales in half is to never take chances and rehash the same story over and over.   If he doesn't get an audition he has no chance at all. If he does he at least has a small chance. Maybe one of the producers decides not to remake the same BS again. Maybe he auditions and he's terrible. But at least I can hope he gets it. "

The comments in this thread seems awfully familiar... @buns134 said:

" How about a white guy playing Black Panther or Luke Cage then people would all get pissy about race and have some march "

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

But I can't see that being anything but a waste of time. He's not going to get it, so why audition? "

Because maybe he's so good they cast him. If not, nobody can say that he didn't have the opportunity. "

But I just can't see it every happening because any half-brained production company must realize that if a black Spider-Man is cast, no matter how good the actor, it'll cut your sales in half. People won't go in droves to see it. In fact, I could see comic nerds flat out petitioning against it. Whether you agree or not, it'll happen nonetheless, hence he won't happen. Ever! I stand by that... "

Well you're wrong then because I haven't seen the last two Spider-Man movies but if Donald Glover was cast I'd go see it. Another way to cut your sales in half is to never take chances and rehash the same story over and over.   If he doesn't get an audition he has no chance at all. If he does he at least has a small chance. Maybe one of the producers decides not to remake the same BS again. Maybe he auditions and he's terrible. But at least I can hope he gets it. "

You know I'm wrong...how? You're one man, that makes on one seat of millions. You're a minority! There is no chance that a black Spider-Man would make as much money as a white. Comic fans would be in an uproar, and true perhaps you and some others wouldn't be...but there are always exceptions. Do you think the first Spider-Man movie was the first time the origin was recycled? For that matter, did you think it would be the last? It's timeless, it'll be re-made numerous times and it'll make money every single time so long as it's done respectfully to the source material. I think saying he has a small chance is being...well...remarkably generous. "

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" @MysterioMaximus said:

" @EisforExtinction said:

" I think even people that don't think he should play Spider-Man can at least let him the opportunity audition. I hope he gets it though. "

But I can't see that being anything but a waste of time. He's not going to get it, so why audition? "

Because maybe he's so good they cast him. If not, nobody can say that he didn't have the opportunity. "

But I just can't see it every happening because any half-brained production company must realize that if a black Spider-Man is cast, no matter how good the actor, it'll cut your sales in half. People won't go in droves to see it. In fact, I could see comic nerds flat out petitioning against it. Whether you agree or not, it'll happen nonetheless, hence he won't happen. Ever! I stand by that... "

Well you're wrong then because I haven't seen the last two Spider-Man movies but if Donald Glover was cast I'd go see it. Another way to cut your sales in half is to never take chances and rehash the same story over and over.   If he doesn't get an audition he has no chance at all. If he does he at least has a small chance. Maybe one of the producers decides not to remake the same BS again. Maybe he auditions and he's terrible. But at least I can hope he gets it. "

You know I'm wrong...how? You're one man, that makes on one seat of millions. You're a minority! There is no chance that a black Spider-Man would make as much money as a white. Comic fans would be in an uproar, and true perhaps you and some others wouldn't be...but there are always exceptions. Do you think the first Spider-Man movie was the first time the origin was recycled? For that matter, did you think it would be the last? It's timeless, it'll be re-made numerous times and it'll make money every single time so long as it's done respectfully to the source material. I think saying he has a small chance is being...well...remarkably generous. "

Well from the looks of that twitter tag there are a lot of people in that minority. Stan Lee thinks he should get an audition even. Maybe it wouldn't make as much money but if he did get an audition, and he got it, and they made the movie then that would making something interesting and different.  And if they're going to remake it so much why not try something different with this one. Like you said they're going to keep making it. "

No to Glover, please.

I think the jokes would come across better...

This’ll happen when The Last Airbender actually has casting reflective of the cartoon!!! :oP 

" @MysterioMaximus: Yeah man, no disrespect to you. You should like what you want to like and not have to apologize. I just want to represent my opinion. "

 
I respectfully disagree with anyone who says that a black Peter Parker would be something different. All that will be different is his skin color. Nothing else would change because the character will still be a nerd, be picked on by bullies, and be bitten by a radioactive spider. His parents will still be dead, his uncle Ben shot, his aunt May and he left alone, his girl issues with Mary Jane, his boss will still be a jerk, and the super-villains will still be the same ones he's always faced.  

So really, the ONLY thing that will be different will be Peter Parker's skin color. And since skin color shouldn't be an issue here (due to Peter not being a character driven by ethnicity, but by morality), why even make a whole deal out of the skin color in the first place? 

Kingpin being portrayed by a black actor was not an issue because Wilson Fisk is not an iconic character such as Spidey. He's only known by the comic fans, whereas Spidey is a worldwide famous character. Changing Kingpin has nothing on changing Spidey. 
 
As for Nick Fury, before they turned him black for the films and anything animated in recent years, he had several years as an African American in the Ultimates. So the comic book world was already accustomed to a black Fury. It wasn't some drastic change on Marvel Studios' part to cast a black actor for the sake of casting a black actor. There was a preexisting black Nick Fury for years already. And one who was widely praised and critically acclaimed. So that was an easy transition. One met with zero resistance from audiences both comic and non-comic based.  

Even Alicia Masters was an African American woman (a very beautiful one at that) in the FF films, where she was a white woman all her existance since 1962. Nobody argued that because it wasn't any of the main characters. Making any of the FF members black would have been a whole different story because they are the big world-famous characters. And when it comes to iconic characters in literature, you can't go around changing things for the sake of it.
 
I don't think it's a question of turning white supderheroes black. It's a case of Marvel (or DC) deciding to make movies based on other characters. They've got a list of some awesome minority characters who I believe would do great in a movie: Luke Cage, Black Panther, Shang-Chi, Blade (already done but still awesome),  Cloak of Cloak and Dagger, among others.

I just someone more in shape would play the role.  Spiderman is a big guy. Maybe not as big as Superman or Hulk or anything like that but much bigger than these little dorks trying to get his part.