Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Star Has Great Inspiration For His Peter Parker Voice

Marvel’s Spider-Man has been portrayed by many actors over the years, from live-action to animation, each bringing their own voice and style to Peter Parker. Whether it was Tobey Maguire’s earnest and sometimes awkward delivery, Andrew Garfield’s quick-witted charm, or Tom Holland’s youthful exuberance, each actor has left their mark on both Spider-Man and his alter ego.

Now, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is introducing a new animated take on the beloved web-slinger, with Hudson Thames voicing Peter Parker. While some might expect him to mimic previous versions, Thames has taken a different approach. Instead of trying to sound like Tom Holland or another past Spider-Man actor, he chose to use himself as inspiration—specifically, his own voice from high school. It’s a unique choice that helps keep his version of Peter Parker authentic while still fitting within the broader Spider-Man universe.

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Hudson Thames Has Experience As Spider-Man

While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man marks a new animated project for Marvel, it’s not Hudson Thames’ first time playing Peter Parker. He previously voiced Spider-Man in What If…?, a Disney+ animated series that explored alternate realities within the MCU. In the episode What If… Zombies?!, Thames’ version of Peter had to deal with a world overrun by zombies.

Despite the horror-driven premise, Thames’ performance in What If…? captured the essence of Peter Parker: a teenager who refuses to give up, no matter how bad things get. His delivery blended Spider-Man’s signature quips with moments of real emotion, showing that he could handle both the comedic and dramatic sides of the character. It was a strong performance that proved Thames could take on the role and make it his own.

Now, with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Thames has the opportunity to further develop his version of Peter Parker. While What If…? was an anthology series that focused on alternate universes, this new project will give him a more traditional Spider-Man story to work with (though also set in an alternate Marvel universe). That means more time to explore Peter’s everyday struggles, relationships, and heroics, all while bringing a fresh voice to the character.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Needed Its Own Voice

Spider-Man is one of the most beloved superheroes of all time, and with that comes the challenge of making each new version feel fresh while still respecting what fans love about the character. One of the biggest challenges for any new Spider-Man actor—whether in live-action or animation—is finding the right voice.

Thames’ choice to use his own teenage voice as inspiration is a smart one. Instead of trying to force an artificial “young” voice or mimic Tom Holland, he taps into his own real-life experience. This approach makes his Peter Parker sound natural and relatable, rather than feeling like an imitation of previous versions.

Authenticity is key when portraying Spider-Man. Peter Parker is meant to be an everyday teenager who just happens to have superpowers. His voice should reflect that—youthful, but not exaggerated. Thames’ decision ensures that his performance feels genuine and unique, while still fitting into the larger Marvel universe.

Had he tried to sound too much like Tom Holland, it likely wouldn’t have worked. Fans would immediately pick up on any differences, and the performance might have felt like a weaker version of something they already knew. On the other hand, making Peter’s voice too different could have been jarring. Thames’ approach strikes the right balance, keeping his Spider-Man familiar yet distinct.

Marvel’s Animated Spider-Man Expands The Universe

With Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Marvel is expanding its animated universe, giving fans another way to enjoy the world of Peter Parker. While live-action Spider-Man stories are a huge part of the MCU, animation allows for different kinds of storytelling, giving the character room to grow in new and exciting ways.

Thames’ voice work is a crucial part of making this version of Spider-Man stand out. At the same time, Thames’ version of Spider-Man will carry a level of familiarity for fans. With a full series to develop the character, Thames has the opportunity to make this version of Spider-Man a fan favorite.

As Marvel continues to explore different mediums for storytelling, voice acting becomes an increasingly important part of the equation. Thames’ thoughtful approach to Peter Parker’s voice proves that he understands what makes the character special. Rather than simply trying to replicate what’s been done before, he’s giving Spider-Man a fresh voice that still feels true to the character’s core.

For fans of Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man promises to be an exciting addition to the Marvel animated universe. And with Hudson Thames at the helm, it’s clear that this version of Peter Parker is in good hands. Whether viewers recognize his voice from What If…? or are hearing it for the first time, they can expect a Spider-Man that feels both familiar and brand new.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

8/10

Release Date

January 29, 2025

Network

Disney+

Writers

Jeff Trammell

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  Hudson Thames

  Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice)

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  Colman Domingo

  Norman Osborn (voice)

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