The incredible reception of Sony’s animated Spider-Verse films has now given way to a new demand: a live-action movie of the same. And Caleb McLaughlin of Netflix’s Stranger Things fame has been looking to get himself into the black and red suit of Miles Morales: the central teenage character who acquires superpowers and gets thrown into a multiversal frenzy alongside others with similar abilities as they attempt to take down the villainous Kingpin himself.
Stranger Things Star Pitched For Live-Action Miles Morales
In 2016, Netflix debuted the Duffer Brothers’ sci-fi horror production revolving around four teenagers and one girl with superpowers and their journey of battling demons and growing to become a closely-knit family through all the hardships and cataclysmic battles. Within 6 months, Stranger Things was the most-watched and highest-rated series ever produced by the streamer. Within 2 years, its fanbase knew no bounds. Within 6 years, it was the most famous and ubiquitous show in the genre of television.
And with the stars getting closer to the final showdown, it was only a matter of time before the actors began to branch out into other opportunities the industry had to offer. One of those opportunities now rests within Sony’s increasingly growing, beloved Spider-Man universe that launched with 2018’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
The lead, Miles Morales, is now up for a live-action makeover, and considering how Caleb McLaughlin (who rose to fame playing Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things over the course of 4 seasons and its upcoming 5th) will soon be done with his Netflix show, the young actor’s name has been pitched for the role of Miles Morales in the upcoming film. However, when talks of the live-action lead being an Afro-Latino actor began to take over, in response to the comments regarding the character losing his Hispanic heritage in the event of Caleb McLaughlin being cast, the actor responded:
I would love to play Miles Morales but he doesn’t have to lose his Hispanic heritage. I respect that 100%.
Elsewhere, Stranger Things co-star, Charlie Heaton, who also appeared as a Marvel character in the panned film, The New Mutants, supported the fan-casting claiming, “I saw someone had created the fan-art and it is amazing yeah, he looks so cool. Man, I would love to see that too. Caleb’s such a cool guy. I think he’d be great for that.”
Also read: Live-Action Elements Explained: Across The Spider-Verse
Fans React to Caleb McLaughlin’s Pitch For Spider-Verse Film
While many can see the 21-year-old Caleb McLaughlin taking on the role of Miles Morales, there are others who claim the actor has stepped beyond the age range suited to portray the young Spidering from the animated universe. Several others have taken their observation further than the age factor and commented on how race and cultural heritage plays an intrinsic role in the identity of the adolescent superhero and only an Afro-Latino actor must be cast in the role of Miles Morales in the live-action movie.
In spite of the opposing reactions, a majority of the fandom has shown their voracious support for the casting of the Stranger star, especially after the wildly active Twitter platform of the Netflix show’s writers’ room pitched the actor for Sony’s proposed live-action movie.
May we suggest… https://t.co/M3qVbwPr2k pic.twitter.com/eZPbyXEA9K
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) June 1, 2023
Yes him ….. let him cook
— Xkaii (@XkaiiMusic) June 1, 2023
Nailed it!
— W I Z A R D (@tweetsofWIZARD) June 1, 2023
That casting is perfect.
— Ryan (@rcam_tv) June 1, 2023
Ooooo this would be awesome.
— TheRationalNewYorker (@TRR2468) June 1, 2023
With a stacked and glowing resume boasting talents like singing, dancing (ballet, tap, jazz), and theatre (with a Broadway debut as Simba in the Lion King), Caleb McLaughlin is more than prepared to take on the CBM franchise with his portrayal of the multiverses superhero. However, given how Hollywood has become more aware of representation and cultural appreciation, it is safe to assume that the studio will be on the lookout for actors who belong to the Afro-Latino community. As such, an early pitch for the 18-year-old Miles Brown is already being rallied by the netizens on platforms like Twitter.
Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse is currently playing in theatres worldwide and has debuted with a glowing 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stranger Things is available for streaming on Netflix with the final season expected to launch pre-production as soon as the WGA strike arrives at a suitable resolution.
Source: Twitter
