While Marvel Studios delivered another show-stealing Hall H panel at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, there was another, devoted to their upcoming animated projects, that also drew a lot of attention. First looks at everything from X-Men '97 to Marvel Zombies were revealed, while we also got a sneak peek at Spider-Man: Freshman Year.
The hope had been that the series would take place prior to the events of Captain America: Civil War. Instead, it's set in another part of the Multiverse, with Peter Parker finding a mentor in Norman Osborn. Thanks to Oscorp's backing, the web-slinger will don all manner of costumes, while Harry Osborn, Amadeus Cho, and Nico Minuro are among those set to join him in high school.
These changes aren't necessarily a bad thing, of course, and we're definitely intrigued to see how this take on the web-slinger differs from what we've seen in the MCU and past live-action movies. Throw in the fact Charlie Cox is set to reprise the role of Daredevil, and the sooner we get to watch this thing, the better.
However, with very little revealed about this or any of Marvel Studios' other upcoming animated offerings, there have been concerns about a possible cancellation.
After all, we don't know whether Kevin Feige ever really wanted to embrace animation to such a large extent or if it was forced on him by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek (who was looking to fill Disney+ with as much content as possible).
Thankfully, Spider-Man: Freshman Year Head Writer Jeff Trammell just shared a positive update:
First announced in November 2021, all signs point to the wait for Spider-Man: Freshman Year being a long one. Japanese animation studio Polygon Pictures is developing the series with Marvel Studios after contributing to the likes of What If...?, I Am Groot, Marvel Zombies, and X-Men '97.
A late 2024 debut is currently expected for the web-slinger's next animated series, while it's been reported that the studio won't be moving forward with the previously announced second season, Spider-Man: Sophomore Year, until they can gauge interest in this first season.
Stay tuned for updates on the series as we have them.