Marvel changed the name of Spider-Man: Freshman Year

Earlier this December, it was revealed that the animated series being developed by Japanese studio, Polygon Pictures, alongside Marvel Studios with creator Jeff Trammell at the helm has changed its name from Spider-Man: Freshman Year to Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man according to The Direct.

Stuck in development as far back as the fall of 2021, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is supposed to follow the aforesaid teenage superhero, Peter Parker, who is still early in his career as his wall-crawling alter-ego. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is set in a continuity that pivots slightly off to a different timeline as seen in the MCU.

Taking place before the clash of the Avengers at the Berlin airport and not long after the eventful spider bite that changed Peter’s life forever, he gets ready for his high school orientation and Norman Osborn sets him on an “unexpected trajectory” which is explained by one of the executive producers, Brad Winderbaum, is due to “random occurrences” that happen in the multiverse.

Why the Name Change of Spider-Man: Freshman Year?

The change from Freshman Year to Your Friendly Neighborhood was due to a press release for the animated series being promoted to journalists and other media outlets. Some point out the fact that due to two seasons being developed back to back with the second season being titled Sophomore Year could mean not only there could be significant revisions being made to the show but Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2 might be scrapped.

Back in November 2022, it was a challenging time for the animation industry due to many layoffs from Disney’s competitor, Warner Bros. Discovery, and within the House of Mouse’s Marvel Studios and its animation division. Were season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man to be green-lit, it “[would not] be the same amazing crew” as season 1.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man cast

Hudson Thames from Marvel’s What If...? will be reprising his titular role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, lending their voices as part of the cast is Eugene Byrd as Lonnie Lincoln, Grace Song as Nico Minoru, Hugh Dancy as Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus, Kari Wahlgren as May Parker, Zeno Robinson as Harry Osborn, and Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil.

What is peculiar is that Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will introduce the likes of Amadeus Cho, Rhino, Scorpion, Tarantula, and several more characters in refreshing, dynamic, and homogenous ways. Both Norman and Harry Osborn will be depicted as African Americans some elements are a call back to the classic 60s feel. On a side note, I vote for Giancarlo Esposito to voice Norman. Marvel, please make that happen.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is set to premiere Disney Plus on Nov. 2, 2024.