Did the MCU Make Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Copy Miles Morales’s Personality?

One of the recurring questions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been whether Tom Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man, particularly in Spider-Man: Homecoming and its sequels, Spider-Man: Far From Home and No Way Home, draws heavily from Miles Morales's personality. While there are some overlaps, especially in terms of youthful charm, humor, and inexperience, the answer to this question is generally no. However, to fully understand this, let's explore both characters in detail.

Character Similarities

Young and Relatable: Both Peter Parker as played by Tom Holland and Miles Morales are depicted as young and relatable characters, dealing with the challenges of adolescence. They have a knack for school friendships and family dynamics, which make them relatable to younger audiences.

Sense of Humor: Holland's Spider-Man exhibits a sense of humor and light-heartedness that resonates with Miles' personality in the comics and animated series. This charm helps them connect with audiences and makes them more likable characters.

Inexperience and Humanness: Both characters display a certain level of inexperience and awkwardness when it comes to heroics. This endearment to audiences comes from their relatable humanity, making their superhero journeys more relatable and realistic.

Character Differences

Background: Perhaps the most significant difference between the two characters lies in their background. Peter Parker's story is rooted in the classic Spider-Man origin, while Miles Morales has a different narrative including his mixed-race heritage and the unique circumstances of gaining his powers. This background shapes their approach to heroism and the challenges they face.

Character Development: Holland's portrayal of Peter Parker is often depicted as a protégé who learns from established heroes like Iron Man. Conversely, Miles Morales’ journey focuses more on stepping into a legacy and carving out his own identity as Spider-Man, navigating issues of race and identity, which Peter’s character does not typically explore.

Journey and Legacy: In the MCU, Peter Parker is largely a loner, seldom interacting with other groups apart from the Fantastic Four. He is a reserve Avenger, joining the team when it reforms. Miles Morales, on the other hand, serves as a guardian of a legacy, with Peter's webshooters given to him by Aunt May, reflecting a more complex and rooted narrative.

Spider-Man in the Comics

The portrayal of Spider-Man in the comics has varied over the years, and prior iterations also differ significantly from the MCU version.

Topher Grace: In the mid-2000s, Topher Grace's portrayal in the series was more accurate to Spider-Man's world, but it fell short because he didn't portray Peter as a "motormouth" and approached the character more like a stoic hero like Superman or Batman. His Peter Parker was largely silent and did not engage in the same verbal exchanges seen in the comics.

Andrew Garfield: While Garfield's portrayal was more true to the source material, he still took liberties to differentiate his version from the previous one, making the character more recognizable and distinct.

Tom Holland: The MCU's focus on the Ultimate version of Spider-Man means they chose a younger Peter Parker. Holland's Peter Parker is characterized by his awe and admiration for Tony Stark, often portrayed as his benevolent mentor. Unlike the comic book version, where Peter creates his webshooters from watch parts, the MCU version has him using more advanced and high-tech gear.

Conclusion

While there are overlaps in traits such as youth, humor, and inexperience, the MCU's depiction of Peter Parker remains distinct from Miles Morales, reflecting their unique narratives and backgrounds. This makes both characters compelling and distinct additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, each contributing to a rich and diverse superhero landscape.