When Spider-Man: Freshman Year was first announced, it was said that the animated series would follow Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, after getting a first look at Spider-Man: Freshman Year at San Diego Comic-Con, fans were a little confused about how the series fits into the MCU.
The first look at Spider-Man: Freshman Year showed villains such as Chameleon, Rhino, Unicorn, Doctor Octopus, and Scorpion, as well as Doctor Strange and Daredevil, who will be voiced by Charlie Cox. The series also looks to feature Norman Osborn as Peter’s new mentor, hence the confusion over the show’s place in the franchise. Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming Brad Winderbaum spoke with ComicBook.com to explain how Spider-Man: Freshman Year fits into the MCU.
Well, like we said, in the panel, it follows the pattern that you see in [Captain America:] Civil War. Down to Peter getting the broken Blu-ray player from the trash and he walks into his department for the famous moment where Tony stark is waiting for him to offer him the stark internship and take him to Berlin. But because of things that happen in the multiverse because of new, random occurrences, it’s not Tony Stark who’s waiting for him there. It’s Norman Osborn and that sends his life in an unexpected trajectory that collides him with many unexpected characters in the Marvel universe.
So it would seem that Spider-Man: Freshman Year will be something of a What If…? series rather than the Spider-Man origin story we believed it to be. Having the series take place in the Multiverse does give it more freedom in telling Spidey’s story without worrying about stepping on MCU canon. Written and executive produced by Jeff Trammel, the animated series will give us a journey unlike any we’ve ever seen with a style that celebrates Spider-Man’s early comic book roots.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year will premiere on Disney+ in 2024, and a second season, Spider-Man: Sophmore Year, is already in development.