Marvel Studios is bringing a fresh take on Peter Parker with its upcoming animated series, ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’. However, fans have a lot of questions about the absence of beloved characters like Ned and MJ.
Both characters played key roles in Tom Holland‘s live-action Spider-Man films. So, their absence will definitely mark a huge shift in the show’s narrative.
‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Producer Believes Nico Minoru Is The Perfect Fit For The Show
In an interview on The Official Marvel Podcast, executive producer Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt explained the creative choices behind the new direction. Set within the “sacred timeline” (a concept introduced in Loki) the series dives into a universe where Norman Osborn mentors Peter instead of Tony Stark.
Vasquez-Eberhardt teased, “What if things jagged one way or another with the Multiverse of it all?” This “what if” approach offers a chance to reimagine Peter’s early years. The biggest departure from the live-action films is Peter’s high school experience. In the MCU, Tom Holland’s Peter attends Midtown School of Science and Technology.
In the school, he forms deep connections with Ned Leeds and MJ. However, in this animated adaptation, Peter doesn’t go to Midtown. According to Vasquez-Eberhardt, “Peter gets to his first day at Midtown…then a thing happens, which I’m going to try and dance around, and there goes our branch.”
This shift creates a ripple effect, altering Peter’s relationships and introducing Nico Minoru as his new confidant. Known as Sister Grimm in the comics, Nico is the daughter of dark wizards and possesses powerful magical abilities. Additionally, she has teamed up with Spider-Man in comic storylines, making her a natural fit for this alternate universe. Vasquez-Eberhardt revealed, “Nico is such a great fit for Peter. She’s very different from Ned, and they fit so well together.”
Why ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Isn’t MCU Canon
One of the most surprising revelations about ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ is that it will not be MCU canon. Marvel TV head Brad Winderbaum explained that attempting to align the animated series with the MCU would have stifled creativity.
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“We would’ve had to put so many limiters on our story,” Winderbaum shared in an interview with Phase Hero. “It started out as, ‘Okay, it’s Spider-Man’s freshman year, can we get away with this being entirely in the MCU?’ But very early on, we realized how locked in that actually made us.”
Trying to adhere strictly to the MCU’s timeline meant avoiding iconic elements like Peter’s Rogues’ Gallery or an original origin story. This rigidity made storytelling a challenge. “It was not fun, honestly,” Winderbaum admitted. While the series won’t be part of the official MCU continuity, it draws heavily from the character’s comic book roots.
“It does have a lot of DNA that is very similar to the MCU depiction of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man,” Winderbaum explained, “but it really also draws all the way back to Steve Ditko.” Moreover, the absence of Ned and MJ is sure to feel bittersweet. However, the inclusion of Nico Minoru opens the door to unexplored possibilities.
