Shameik Moore Owns His Responsibility as Miles Morales, the First Black Spider-Man #SpiderVerse

When I was invited to Los Angeles to screen the Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse film, it was bittersweet because I’d get to see it before our son, A.J. experienced it.  Ever since A.J. saw the trailers this summer he’s been anxiously awaiting this film. His love for Spider-Man runs deep. He’s been Spider-Man for four Halloween’s in a row. To A.J. Spider-Man in movies has been portrayed by Tom Holland and Tobey Maguire. I don’t think he’s seen the Andrew Garfield portrayal. All of these actors are White.

So when I interviewed the voice of Miles Morales, Shameik Moore, about the significance of portraying Spider-Man as an Afro- Black American – I told him A.J.’s initial reactions to seeing the Spider-verse trailer:

“There’s a Black Spider-Man?  He looks just like me!”

Shameik Moore Voiced Miles Morales,

the First Black Spider-Man

Shameik told me he had a similar reaction when he first saw Spider-Man portrayed a Black teenager growing up in New York City, “Literally what you said to me is what I said the first time I saw Miles. That was in 2011 (when the comic came out).”

Going forward he recognizes that his role and his voice are groundbreaking.

Shameik said, “I feel like I do take on that responsibility because with great power comes great responsibility and I know there are kids I have to consider in everything that I do now, moving forward.”

He added, “I didn’t have that before. Kids might have seen me in “Dope” or “Get Down”, but those are different images. You relate differently. But Miles Morales reaches more people in a different way.”

Shameik hopes families go see Into the Spider-Verse over and over where they’ll notice something new each time. He added he’s happy “as long as kids go there and feel like their lives are represented.”

Jake Johson voices Peter Parker in Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse. During our interview he told us how the film is significant for is two daughters because it opens up the superhero opportunities to them. There’s Spider-Gwen, a teenage girl superhero (see her action figure in our Facebook Live below),  who teams up with the rest of the Spider-Men crew in the film.  “That’s what’s really neat about being a part of this movie. Anybody can wear the mask and this one is Miles’ coming out party and he kicks butt.”

He added, “So now if they get to be Spider-Gwen and your son gets to be Miles and that’s his way in, or my daughters’ way into having the power to be a superhero, then we’ve won.”

In case you missed it, here’s my review of Spider-Verse and its multi-generational appeal.

Spider-Verse Animated Fim Nominations

Even before Spider-Verse landed on movie screens, it earned major film nominations:

  • 2019 Golden Globes Best Motion Picture – Animated
  • 2019 Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature
  • 2019 Oscars – Best Animated Feature

This week we hosted a Facebook Live featuring more Spider-Verse Merchandise. Watch the replay:

Watch: Facebook Live Miles Morales & Spider-Verse Action Figures

Here’s a look at the Spider-Verse merchandise you’ll see in stores and online thanks to the film.

Visit Spider-Verse Movie Website for trailer and photos

Follow Spider-Verse on Facebook | Follow Spider-Verse on Instagram

About Joyce Brewer

Creator & Host of Mommy Talk Show. Emmy award-winning TV journalist.Wife & Mommy; Mom Blogger; Social Media Coach; Long Island, New York transplant living in Atlanta, GA. Follow Joyce on Twitter @MommyTalkShow Author of Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms featuring interviews with mompreneurs who created businesses using their skills & backgrounds.

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12 comments

  1. Such a great post and a great message. I am sure once I have children, I will introduce them to this spiderman movie before any other.

  2. We are so excited about this! It feels good to finally have action movies, princess, and other superheros who look like us. This is amazing and warms my heart.

  3. I can’t wait until my son is old enough to sit through movies. This Spider Man will be one of his firsts. I was elated when this was announced.

  4. What a great message that they want to send to young kids! I know I pretty much had the same reaction when I saw the tailor for the movie. I was like oh snap! He’s black! What just happened LOL My husband and I can’t wait to see it.

    XOXO |http://www.CarnationDreams.com

  5. I am so excited about this! This is amazing. It gives hope and motivation to so many, that they too can do it.

  6. I haven’t seen it yet. I think that is pretty cool though.

  7. My kid keeps up with everything Marvel so he knew about this ahead of time and I was shook. We still need to head out and see this movie!

  8. I so cannot wait to see Into the Spirderverse. It’s being hailed as the best animation movie ever and of course I got to show up for Miles.

  9. I didn’t know Shameik Moore was doing the voice. I loved him in the movie DOPE and in The Get Down series. I am here for the black boy joy.

  10. Representation definitely matters! Glad Black children are being exposed to more Black superheroes.

    Kendro

  11. I’m so for this!!! Yessss! Glad to see more blacks in movies as superheroes. Kids will love this!

  12. I love it! I’m so for this!!! Yessss! Glad to see more blacks in movies as superheroes. Kids will love this!