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THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Set Visit Preview and 4 Awesome New Posters!The Twitter Campaign to Put Donald Glover in Marc Webb’s SPIDER-MAN Reboot
by Matt Goldberg Posted:May 31st, 2010 at 9:27 pm
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Last week, we reported about five actors rumored to be on the shortlist to play Peter Parker in Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot. The website io9 ran an editorial about why they didn’t want yet another white guy superhero–a sentiment I couldn’t agree with more. The people in the comments section of the editorial came up with a sixth name that should be on the list: Donald Glover (Community, Mystery Team). Glover is charismatic, funny, and age-appropriate for the role. He’s also a huge fan of the character. In response, the actor/writer/comedian began a Twitter campaign for the chance to audition for the role. Tonight #donald4spiderman became the third-highest trending topic on Twitter. The Facebook campaign has also amassed over 3,000 fans and climbing.
For more of my thoughts on why casting Glover would make the Spider-Man reboot worth it, hit the jump.
image via iamdonald.com
I’ve had trouble finding a single person who thinks that Sony’s decision to reboot Spider-Man was a good idea. We’ve heard “Oh, it will be gritty and contemporary” this time, as if the Raimi Spider-Man movies were mindless action films. To cast Glover or any actor who challenges the notion of what Spider-Man has been or can be would provide a reason for this reboot’s existence, elevating it from the cynical cashgrab it currently is.
We ran an editorial last year suggesting that Will Smith would make a good Captain America. The comments section exploded in controversy, even though there was at least some basis in the comics for a black Captain America. I don’t know if fans would accept a non-white Spider-Man, but I don’t really care. It’s not an affirmative-action move. It’s asking the question: is there anything inherently white about Spider-Man’s story? Yes, Stan Lee wrote Peter Parker as a white character, but is there anything about that character’s story that wouldn’t work for a man of any non-white ethnicity?
Even Glover says he shouldn’t be given the part outright, but I agree that he deserves the chance to at least audition. I know studios are scared to do anything risky when it comes to an $80 million movie, but I’m willing to bet there’s going to be a lack of enthusiasm for this reboot if people don’t see anything fresh about it. Casting a young, talented non-white actor for Spider-Man would get people talking about what is currently a movie with no reason to exist.
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well lets reboot Blade and Spawn and make them white while were at it Matt
I dunno, I’d like to see what both characters would look like if they were white/European and done now. A white Blade in the 70′s?! Hell no, but now? Sure, why not…
Yeah, becuse that’s the same.
^ Oh here we go again with this.
I liked the dude in COMMUNITY and I loved MYSTERY TEAM. I think he's a good actor. I'm no comic purist so I wouldn't mind if he was cast. But is he really right for the role?
Is it about casting him or just casting a black dude? Since he's the focus of a Twitter campaign I think he should at least audition. But then you pretty much have to open it up for every race. Wouldn't you? There might be a latino dude that just knocks it out of the park for all we know.
Technically anyone can be SPIDEY once they put the mask on. It's all about the Peter Parker character. So are you a fan of SPIDER-MAN or PETER PARKER??
I don't think the studio would risk it though.
Brian Michael Bendis (The writer of Ultimate Spider-Man, which this reboot will be based of off) has said that he supports this. What's so wrong about it if the creators are behind it?
I find this article to be refreshing. Why shouldn't Donald have a legit chance to audition for a character he seems to love? I'm ok with trying new things for characters. I can understand why fan boys are upset but at the same time isn't about capturing the essence of the character more so than the look or skin color?
That he's not white is just a perk. The real issue here is that Donald Glover would be AWESOME as Spider-Man.
Spider man is white jackoff
I wouldn't mind Donald Glover as spider-man. Will smith as Captain America is one thing, I've never been a big fan of Will Smith, don't care for him as an actor. Donald Glover is something else entirely. He's likeable, he's funny, and isn't exceedingly old. Spider-man is known for his banter during fights with super villains, Glover could certainly use his wit to help inject that into the reboot character without it sounding forced.
I wouldn't reboot the series without continuing the PP/MJ saga… Dr. Connors turning into the lizard… the Rhino (Michael Clarke Duncan)… and of course other great villains.
Then, there is the story from the comics where Peter accidentally causes four additional arms to grow… great for the movies.
nothing is wrong with it, but I hope studios don't get a wild hair to do this on a lot of other movies. I am still upset at Jamie Foxx being cast in Kane and Lynch. (NOT because he is Black, but because the character in the game was not.) I am not a racist, but I would like for Movies to match themes of the books, screenplays, or games they are based off of.
I support the changing of a characters ethnicity if the actor is able to portray the character, but I’m also not in agreement with Jaime Fox as Lynch. It just doesn’t seem, right you know?
Okay, if it's just about Donald Glover being Peter Parker then like I said I wouldn't mind. He would be cool. He's actually the only choice I've heard so far that fits. But I do have to admit that Jamie Bell kind of intrigued me.
The point is that it shouldn't matter. So, making a point of it defeats the purpose. We can't be colorblind when trying not to be. Catch-22.
Officially this will be the only thing to get me to see this, for a modern film, a geeky black kid is the way to go, it would make his match up with Green Goblin that much more perfect, a rich white industrialist, and Forest Whitaker would be a great doc ock. I'm a huge spider-man fan and i'm in. They could have him team with the Prowler.
Agreed. I could care less about this reboot, but talking about his kid getting an audition for the character is the only positive news I have heard. If they make The Lizard the Villain I can be persuaded a bit more to care. Not to spend money to see it. But to care…
tbh, I would watch Donald Glover in just about anything right now. He's in the same vibrancy zone that Eddie Murphy was in the first Beverly Hills Cop or that Will Ferrell was in Anchorman. He can do absolutely no wrong, and any project he touches is going to be solid gold.
He would simply be an amazing Spiderman. Race aside. And I was very against a black Captain America because it just didn't seem to fit the character in that Cap is sort of cheesy 1940's patriot. Spidey can be much more contemporary and fit in any time period.
Not sure about Glover. I love him in Community were he is part of an ensemble cast, but he was pretty much the lead in Mystery Team and I really wasn't that impressed with him.
I think he is a bit too goofy looking… I know Parker is supposed to be a nerd, but I don't know if I could take him seriously in the role.
I really dig Glover. My concern isn't that Glover would ruin Spider man – it is that Spiderman would ruin Glover. Audiences are growing weary of these super hero movies (insert fanboy outcry here). It is happening. I dragged my two young nephews to Iron Man and they looked utterly fatigued by the credits. Kick ass was great, but you can only go to that well so many times. I'd rather see Glover shoot for something new and fresh that will catapult him to Carey/Smith like stardom. I think he could do it. He has the writing chops, perfect timing and he is young. If it has to be a comic book movie, he needs a project like The Mask or MIB that he can make his own.
i saw when glover first tweeted this and i thought it would just be a one-off trend that would fail to go anywhere. i retweeted anyway just because he's a great actor and i support him. but holy crap was i wrong. and now that i think about it realistically, he would be a fantastic choice as the next peter parker. he is my favorite on community and he is very charismatic. honestly a perfect fit.
No doubt he looks good and hope he will suit in the character, but i fear about his acting. Did he played any serious and quality role in movies. I don't know. Otherwise i have not objection with his color.
i agree if youre gonna reboot which i personally thought was a perfectly fine franchise you have to do something NEW…and in the words of Stan Lee “as long as they keep the heart of the story the same” if peter is still peter and he is just black i don't see why Glover can't do it he is honestly the best choice
HAHAHAAHA!!! At both this idea, and at that hillarious spidey pic mock-up, which should already tell what this will look like.
Damn it! Whats with these stupid ideas and worse, whats with the people going along with it? Am I dreaming?
I dont wanna see famously white characters become Black, Nor do I wanna see Black characters become White! Stick to the god damn source material for christ sakes!!!! Is it so hard to do? I think the hollywood producers need putting in retirement homes as its clear they have dementia!
Besides, why always Black? Why not Oriental or Indian etc? Racist I reckon! Whats next? Chris Tucker as Superman? Martin Lawrence as Batman?
Spiderman is truly dead! Shame, because the original 2 were great! And 3 was fixable with a good 4.
Uh, dude, why on earth would you care (and apparently so very much) whether spiderman is black? Do yourself a favor, put down the bag of cheetos and climb the stairs from your mother's basement and take a walk outside. You might want to dab on a little sunscreen – I fear your years of seclusion have made you dangerously pale.
And who says “Oriental” these days? Where do you live, ye old timey land?
“It’s asking the question: is there anything inherently white about Spider-Man’s story? Yes, Stan Lee wrote Peter Parker as a white character, but is there anything about that character’s story that wouldn’t work for a man of any non-white ethnicity?”
Great argument! I have a proposal:
It’s asking the question: is there anything inherently black about Uncle Tom's Cabin story? Yes, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom as a black character, but is there anything about that character’s story that wouldn’t work for a man of any non-black ethnicity? Maybe makes him a jew violin player living in the Warsaw ghetto? Adrian Brody will be perfect! Oh, wait a minute…
Details are changed in hollywood adaptations all the time. Like Matt said, there's nothing inherently white about Spidey, so making Peter Parker any race is cool with me. Of all the names i've heard so far, Donald is the best choice. Does anyone really want to see that little doucher Josh Hutcherson play Spiderman? The kid can't act, and, as I stated before, he's a doucher.
Also, MovietTechJunkie since there's nothing inherently white about Spiderman's storyline, how can changing his race change the theme of the source material in any way?
Hayyl NO!…you're really dumb. most of the people who are quick to point their finger and call others racist need to take a look in the mirror.
It doesn't matter who they cast- the project is doomed to failure.
Sure. Why not if he fits the part. Also for the record, here is one person that is all for a reboot. I'm one of those guys that thinks that movies shouldn't wait until they create a terd like Batman and Robin before re-evaluating the direction.
I'm sorry, but any film journalists that complained about the “racebending” casting of The Last Airbender (a cartoon set within a fantasy world of made up nations) but are supporting this “affirmative action” move to have characters races changed in the other direction are hypocrites.
I'm not saying that this was specifically you, or even anyone from this site, but I do remember this being quite the controversy not all that long ago.
WHATS NEXT A CHINESE AFRO NINJA!? look you can say this isnt a race issue you can say why shouldnt he have a shot but spider man is a white character the movie studio if hiring him wouldnt be hiring him to be self rightious theyd be doing to make more money its contriversial and controversy sells movie tickets so instead of it being a feel good story all it really is is this poor kid being a poster boy for a racist act to sell movie tickets! why would spider man be black!? ive read comics and watched the movies ad cartoons since i was a kid there job is to match those characters as closley as possible i hope this kid a great career but this isnt the role for him! theres plenty of black super heroes in marvel make a black panther movie and make him his son or something. this entire reboot its pure crap! im so dissapointed that one movie could kill off a franchise that sported two of the most highly rated super hero movies of all time!
i09 made the winning argument when they said:
“In this day and age, why does Spidey have to be a white guy? Yes, I know: “Because that's how Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created him.” There is no worse argument for anything than, “because that's the way it's always been.” Lee and Ditko created a wonderfully strong character, one full of complexity and depth, who happens to be white. In no way is Peter Parker defined by his whiteness in the same way that too many black characters are defined by their blackness. He's defined by the people he cares for, by his career, by his identity as a New Yorker (incidentally, one of the most diverse cities in the world) — as too many good people died to prove, a man is defined by his choices, not by the color of his skin.”
Peter Parker is not a white character by definition, whereas many prominent black characters in fiction (especially in the Marvel universe) are partly defined by the race issues they deal with. I'd have no problem if the Iron Man movies had cast Rhodey as white, latino, Asian, or anything, because his race was never a big deal (I may be wrong; maybe there was a large arc concerning race in the Iron Man or War Machine comics that I missed and may come up in the films later). The Black Panther, however, is character whose history and motivations are tied in with his African origin and the politics of race relations, so that would be a character people could get up in arms about if they wanted to cast someone of a different race. Casting Black Panther white would be like casting a white guy to play Obama, Martin Luther King, or Rosa Parks in that respect, where their skin color is integral to who they are and why they did what they did. Casting War Machine or Peter Parker as another race is as inconsequential as casting an extra in the comic as a different race in the movie adaptation.
Furthermore, yeah, if a latino kid came in a nailed an audition for Peter Parker, great. If someone of another ethnicity dd the same, that'd be great, too. There's no reason any of them shouldn't be given a shot, because Peter Parker not being white wouldn't change his story. People in the comments are acting like casting him black would automatically make him into some street-wise or loud Chris Tucker/Martin Lawrence stereotype.
You totally miss the point. If Spider-Man becomes black or if Captain America had become black you *MUST* bring that element in or it’s just a token thing because they are not interchangeable. You can’t tell black folks there is no difference between their lives and the lives of white folks. That’s B.S. even today. Wow can you listen to yourselves? Nothing “inherently white” about Spider-Man? You racists might as well say whites have no identity at all. Peter Parker was a poor white boy living his aunt & uncle in NYC.There are black superheroes why not create films with them? So-called “colorblind casting” may be the new blackface.
Maybe I missed something, but Kane and Lynch being white had nothing to do with their characters. That's the difference. It wasn't a theme of the game, and I doubt it was clarified in the screenplay.
You're making an argument that things should stay as close to the source material as possible, which is a sweeping generalization that would probably affect all your favorite movies. It seems strange to complain about these things, when few comic book movies have been adapted directly from a single arc or portrayal of the character, and few video game movies have stuck to the exact same plot. Changing whichever character, Kane or Lynch, to a black man (I don't know who Foxx is playing) is a far less consequential decision than, say, the filmmakers of The Dark Knight creating (generally) original storylines, and portrayals of the character. If you don't like it when these movies defect from the comics, then I'm sure you didn't like Ledger's portrayal of the Joker.
Maybe I missed something, but Kane and Lynch being white had nothing to do with their characters. That's the difference. It wasn't a theme of the game, and I doubt it was clarified in the screenplay.
You're making an argument that things should stay as close to the source material as possible, which is a sweeping generalization that would probably affect all your favorite movies. It seems strange to complain about these things, when few comic book movies have been adapted directly from a single arc or portrayal of the character, and few video game movies have stuck to the exact same plot. Changing whichever character, Kane or Lynch, to a black man (I don't know who Foxx is playing) is a far less consequential decision than, say, the filmmakers of The Dark Knight creating (generally) original storylines, and portrayals of the character. If you don't like it when these movies defect from the comics, then I'm sure you didn't like Ledger's portrayal of the Joker.
This post was in response to MovieTechJunkie in the comments above, but I guess a glitch made it post this separately.
So I'll boil down what I said to a general response to everyone. If you argue the principle that “they should always stick as closely to the source material as possible, as a rule,” then I'm sure you hated The Dark Knight, since it had an original story, a high-tech bat-cave, Maggie Gyllenhaal played an original character, Two-Face's origin was different, and most importantly, Ledger's Joker was a brand-new portrayal.
They shoulda just let Raimi do Spider-man 4!
Oh dear lord this guy RUINS community. He is an OVER-ACTOR SUPREME. Terrible choice, if it happens. Not because he's black. But because he SUCKS.
WHEN THEY DO THE “BLACK PANTHER” MOVIE…LET'S MAKE HIM WHITE!
i argee this is bs. when they were talking about making a movie based on hannibal barrca the charthagian general who beat on rome for a good while, people were screaming that it sould be played by denzel cause charthage is an african city therfore he should be black. problem is is that charthage is a charthagian city and he was more arab/jewish look, as was to be played by vin desiel, who may not do it right but looks more like it.
he’s arab/jewish looking cause he’s arab/jewish looking. how pissed would black people be if we re made the shaka zulu movie and cast gerad bulter as shaka? some roles based on historical or long standing chars should always remain in that vain that they we created.
I wonder what Uncle Ruckus from the Boondocks would think of casting an African as Spiderman? I hope he does get cast just because it would make for a hilarious episode of the Boondocks, lol
I have no idea who this guy is, I've never watched Community or Mystery Team and as a black person myself I'd be inclined to think that a role such as this should be open to different races. However, black and asian characters/actors do not sell to an audience which is extremely disappointing and which is why I don't think this will ever happen despite his talent (or lack of, I don't know). I'd be interested in seeing a black/asian/south american actor play a character like Peter Parker, i feel its a role not defined by race in any way. It'll be like saying only white people can play geeks and mexicans can only play druglords or asians playing characters who know kung fu etc. Acting opportunities need to be more fluid these days as it would reflect the way our society is. Its rich and diverse but in film its still relatively stagnant. It appears that the naysayers are saying so based purely on association of one's race with a certain stereotype. If someone were to say Jamie Foxx shouldn't play Lynch because his character is white trash, i'd agree but ppl are saying because he's white he shouldn't? They need to justify it and not rely on the “he's white” argument
I think we're too used to seeing white characters come in and play the majority of roles in film. Look at all the big franchises in Hollywood who are faced by white actors; Harry Potter, James Bond, Star Trek, Pirates of the Carribean, Spider-Man, X-Men, Indiana Jones, Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, Alice in Wonderland, Terminator, Mission Impossible, Bourne. That's a helluva of lot of franchises where if there are any black/asian/south americans, they're very much supporting characters.
Granted there are some roles in that list that you couldn't imagine be played by anyone else other than a white actor (Indiana Jones and Batman springs to mind) and others where it would have been hard for someone of a different race to step in and be the main character because of a lack of black/asian (might just merge to two together and call them blasian!) actors around at the time (late seventies/eighties). But in the present day, there is no excuse for not at least allowing actors of different races to at least audition for a role.
In short i'm all for it – if a character is tied down to his race then don't change it but if not lets see a different approach.
Yeah, and maybe they'll cast ken Jeong as the villain.
I don't care how black he is…. can he act?
We could cast Shia Labeouf as “The Black Panther” too…….
I think a buff Peter Parker is stupid…looks wrong before he became Spiderman…I think the same about him being black. Sorry but if it is not an affirmative action story then we should try to make him look the way he did in the comics. It's a stupid idea that will throw you out of the movie.
Now Sam Jackson as Fury I can deal with because well…he is Sam jackson and did a great job, but if there is an equally great actor…I would say make them look right if you can.
Personally, I agree, race is a total non-issue in the story, Spidey could be equally compelling black, white, latino, native american, female or Vulcan. However, my large suspicion is that IF they were to reboot Spawn, Steel or Blade (or make a Falcon or Static Shock film) and cast a non-black person to play the lead, people would FLIP OUT and accuse everybody of racism. Daredevil was a mediocre film, but I thought Michael Clarke Duncan was PERFECT casting. Same with Sam L. Jackson as Nick Fury (although they had already switched his race in the Ultimate continuity) Again, I love Spidey and will see it regardless of who they cast because I love the character and the stories, but I do think there is a double standard if it ever came to a black heroes that a race change would never fly.
he should def be considered for the role. hes terrific would make a great spider-man and an amazing Peter Parker
It seems black people won't be happy until they're able to dip their hands into everything. While we're at it, let's make a MLK Jr. biopic and let's cast Robert De Niro or someone like that to play MLK.
I think it doesn't really matter who gets the part, and of what race that person is, as long as the person fits the role (DONALD GLOVER <3).
People accuse Hollywood of white-washing a lot.
Well, I say, sometimes people try so hard not to discriminate, they end up discriminating anyway.
But, putting that argument behind, YEA DONALD! I love Community soooooo much.
SO, Paramount is rebooting this franchise? Ask Stan Lee what he thinks, he is the real creator that should have the say.
duuuumb, bad enough there re doing this, yet i was curious to what it will look like. now their fucking everything up
Other than acting goofy what makes him so ideal for the part? I think he's very funny but this isn't a comedy. Based on his output so far, (Community, Mystery Team, & Derrick Comedy shorts) there is zero to suggest he'd be good in this role.
stupid idea
I should say however i do like donald glover he is very funny, but not spider-man.
I think the most potent argument for Glover is that he simply fits the character. He has that nerdy side to him, but is also quick witted. Additionally, he is in decent shape, so it isn't too far of a stretch to see him flinging bad guys around after being bitten by a radioactive spider.