Anyone can wear the mask. This is one of the central messages of ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’, one of the films that has best understood the superhero figure in the world of cinema. It isn’t about a matter of a chosen few, but about the power of the everyday citizen and how each of us can help make our world a bit better by being a friend and neighbor of the moment. It’s an inclusive message like few others, and Andrew Garfield supports it with all his heart.
A decade ago the good old Garfield dropped that a version of Peter Parker who is attracted to men wouldn’t be a bad idea. It was a controversial idea to bring to the table, but it could offer new perspectives with which to explore the character. It was a proposition ahead of its time, but now that four live-action films and two animated ones have passed, it’s worth revisiting: do we deserve a gay Spider-Man?
Garfield Reaffirms
In a recent interview, the actor has had the opportunity to reflect again on his words from 2013. And he does not hesitate: he remains firm on the idea. “It was an act of rebellion about something that passionate me,” he tells his interviewers. “I still believe that anyone can put on that suit. That is why he is such a loved character by everyone, one of the most cherished figures in the history of fiction. You do not see skin color, nor gender, nor sexual orientation. Anyone can identify with that suit.”
The years have given more context to the idea Garfield presents. In the comics, the relationship between Peter Parker and Wade Wilson has touches that occasionally brush against bisexuality for the web-slinger. Added to this is the current Internet popularity of Petra Parker, the transgender version of the superhero that has taken social networks by storm. The truth is that today the hero has come so far that it would not be surprising if we see a queer version on the big screen in the near future.
It Keeps Dominating at the Box Office
This new realm of possibilities for the web-slinger’s future intersects with the overwhelming success the character is currently enjoying on the big screen. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is raking in box office money right now, and it is already approaching the top 3 of the most financially successful films in history. It will be interesting to see if ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is able to stand up to it with its near-future re-release.
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