A Live Action Miles Morales? Here Are The NUMBER$
Joseph Watkins - The Watcher
Spider-Man has been an essential comic book character in the Marvel universe since his debut in 1962 in Amazing Fantasy #15. Since then, he’s been providing billions of viewers with witty one-liners, his intellect, and nerdy behavior. As such, his alter ego, Peter Parker, showed the world what it’s like to also be a nerd, get bullied, and still have the love and strength to help one’s fellow man. Peter showed us that one act of selfishness can mean a lifetime of regret and that great power comes with great responsibility. Peter was, and still is, an idol for millions of fans preaching that unforgettable mantra for many to live and abide by....
Since then, the Spider-Man franchise has evolved into many different variations with alternate characters and storylines from perspective universes. Common among the multiverse, or as many would say, the Spider-Verse, is the famed Miles Morales, aka the “…true successor to Peter Parker’s legacy” as stated from Collider. An Afro-Latino kid from Brooklyn who took up the Spider-Man mantle, Miles has been saving NYC since 2011 and has launched multiple forms of himself in the semblance of video games, cartoons, action figures, and various television shows. Most notable was his first movie, Into the Spider-Verse, which grossed over $384.4 million worldwide against a $90 million budget. Paralleling that to the Insomniac video game of the same name, Spider-Man: Miles Morales sold 6.5 million units worldwide; an achievement in its own right (with a short gameplay story line). Compared to Miles’ Spider-Men predecessors, his receipts are less than stellar with Pete’s video game selling over 33 million units, and movie opening amounts ranging from $62 Million to $260 Million.
With Miles Morales, he represented, to viewers and readers, a character whose background and experiences mirrored their own. The values instilled by his family, the lessons learned from his community, and the connections he forged all played a vital role in his development as a superhero. Additionally, when Into the Spider-Verse (ISV) hit the big screen, the rich imagery and familial bonds between Miles, his uncle, and parents made him an ICON to many viewers of color, especially famed author, Victor Levalle who wrote a love letter in The New York Times Magazine about how amazing he is.
With Miles Morales changing the dynamic of what’s it like to be a superhero and with his visuals reflecting a more melanated texture, I’m still left wondering how a character of this magnitude, who is praised as the next Spider-Man, has not received a live action movie, even after the 2023 success of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
To answer this question, I decided to compare Into the Spider-Verse (ISV) and Across the Spider-Verse (ASV) to every live-action Spider-Man movie made by Sony Pictures. I also compared both ISV and ASV’s, domestic, international and worldwide movie totals to Peter Parker’s totals, the 2023 movie season, and Sony Animated Pictures as a whole. Results indicated that while Miles Morales breakthrough performance as Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse series, was a game changer in animation and visual effects, it was the least profitable of all the Spider-Man movies on an international ranking, as it ranked 4th (ASV) and 10th (ISV) internationally for Sony Animated Pictures and ranked #1 (ASV) and #2 (ISV) as the most profitable movie for Sony Animated Pictures domestically.
Background Check
Spider-Man – 2002-2007
Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man’s movies totals ranged from $788 million to $825 million worldwide. Ranging an average 2 hours and 13 minutes per movie, this Spider-Man series ran a great course as it also made between $330 – $410 million domestically.
The Amazing Spider-Man – 2012-2014
Directed by Marc Webb, with the incorporation of a new Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), Webb’s movie totals ranged from $708 - $757 million worldwide, with domestic totals ranging from $202 - $262 million. A decrease in monies accumulated compared to Rami’s Spider-Man, “Questionable writing choices, characterization decisions, followed by negative criticism” led Sony, as stated by Screenrant, “...to leave the Garfield franchise alone.”
Spider-Man: “Home” Series 2017-2021
Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man’s revision, reboot, and restart integrated the comedic dialogue of Tom Holland followed by a younger, sexier Aunt May. Hi Zendaya!!! The movie totals for this series did more than beat Rami’s numbers, it set records with worldwide totals ranging from $880 million to almost $2 billion. The last of Watt’s series, Spider-Man: No Way Home almost brought in $1 billion dollars domestically against the series’ predecessors of $330 [SM: Home Coming] and $390 million [SM: Far From Home].
Into the Spider-Verse – 2018
A visually stunning masterpiece and directed by Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, Rodney Rothman, Into the Spider-Verse received numerous awards for its animation, including an Academy Award for best animated feature film (2019). While the movie was outstanding in its animation and representation of diverse characters, financially, it surpassed other Sony Animated pictures as the #2 ranked movie domestically with totals over $190 million. On the international stage, it ranked 9th place with an international total of $194+ million. The film, with its Oscar win, received a greenlight for two more sequels: Across the Spider-Verse & Beyond the Spider-Verse. Domestic 2nd, International 9th.....
Across the Spider-Verse - 2023
Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, released May 31st, 2023, and has more than doubled its intake of its predecessor (ISV), amassing totals of over $300 million domestically. On an international scale, the film has collected more than $300 million in global receipts, securing the movie’s position in the top ten global box office ranking for the 2023 movie season, as well as securing itself as the 3rd most received Sony animated picture on an international scale.
Sony’s approach to selling Miles Morales on the big screen has been limited to just animation, video games, cartoons, and YA and graphic novels, yet the confirmation of a live action movie doesn’t seem to not be on their list....as of yet. Yes, there was a news report, but not really much else. Why the wait?
Spider-Man Movie Totals - Click Here for Chart Interaction
Rundown
Domestically, Miles Morales: ASV ranked 4th place for successfully carrying the Spider-Man mantle with Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home leading the top 3 spots (above). Internationally, however, Miles, is the least profitable of the series, ranking in 9th and 10th place out of the entire Spider-Man franchise. Compared to the top 10 movies for 2023, Miles Morales (ASV) ranked 6th in profits on the worldwide stage (below). So now to the question:
Top 10 Movies of 2023 - Click Here To Interact With Chart
Does Miles Morales Deserve a Live Action?
Miles has become a household name as his totals fair to Rami’s, Webb’s and Watts’ Spider-Man on the domestic stage. This comparison has now brought Miles to the big leagues as his second installment, not only allowed us to see Miles and how his family shaped his decision making, it also placed him as the “first- anomaly” among the many Spider-Men & Spider-Women in the Spider-Verse.
Miles Morales of Earth-1610 was not the intended holder of the iconic Spider-Man mantle, a glitch in the “collider matrix” brought Spider-42 to Miles with the intended holder resorting to a “possible” life of crime, leaving movie goers, with a cliffhanger ending comparable to Avengers: Infinity War. There was no good at the end, only grief and wanting, leaving us willing to pay for advance theater seats in 2025 to see if Miles actually makes it back home. Provided, the WGA-AFT strike ends by them. Respect to the writers. Always.
Sidenote: To be labeled as the “First-Anomaly” was definitely not a flex. Sony Pictures portrayed Miles Morales as the odd one out in this monumental cinematic spectacular, and as we were granted a unique opportunity to see Miles develop into the hero he was meant to be, we also saw that your “ride or dies” could get you jumped. I’m just saying, the whole Spider-Man “Gang-Gang” was after him heavy.......
However, this article isn't a movie review, and neither is it a critique of the soundtrack, though it's worth noting that the soundtrack deserves a Grammy. MET——-TROOOOOOOO!!!
With ASV’s worldwide estimated totals of $688+ million, Miles has earned the right to be a live action movie. He has earned it because this was Sony Pictures Animation’s most profitable movie since 2006 with a budget that dwarfs his [Miles] predecessors. With little in terms of budget, he managed to make a name for himself on the big screen, on games consoles (Playstation), and Disney+, finally making Sony Pictures, a name for themselves in animation.
Sony Animation Picture Totals. Click Here To Interact With Chart
It is time for Miles to become the live action he was destined to be and while his animated series is amazing and groundbreaking, showcasing vibrant colors, exaggerated expressions, and imaginative landscapes, despite rumors of racism on social media, and low international numbers for Across the Spider-Verse, Miles managed to show the world for 2023, that anyone can wear the mask, including an Afro-Latino kid from Brooklyn. With the live action, Miles can bring so much more to the screen. For one, an actual physical Afro-Latino Spider-Man and an actor who will forever be cemented as “The Chosen One”, to carry the mantle to a whole new generation of readers and game players.
The only issue in preventing this, could be the international stage. Based on data (from Box Office Mojo), the international stage is just not feeling the famed web-slinger. Some issues could be the marketing. It's possible that the promotional efforts for "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" did not effectively convey its unique selling points to international audiences. A more culturally sensitive marketing approach could have been beneficial, followed by a bigger budget as well. An issue definitely worth looking into.
With a movie budget of $90-$100 million, dwarfing the budgets of the other Spider-Man films (below), more money might be needed to launch him into the universe and into the hearts and minds of viewers on an international level.
Spider-Man Movie Budget - Click here for Chart Interaction.
Overall, we’ve seen many melanized live action superheroes (and villains) on both, TV, and the movie screen:
Batman’s Catwoman - The Great Eartha Kitt
Kid Flash (Wally West) - Keiynan Lonsdale
Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce) - Cress Williams
Thunder - Nafessa Williams
Blade - Wesley Snipes
Lighting - China Anne McClain
Cyborg (Victor Stone) - Ray Fisher
Vixen (Mari McCabe) - Megalyn Echikunwoke
Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz) - David Harewood
Falcon/Captain America (Sam Wilson) - Anthony Mackie
War Machine (James "Rhodey" Rhodes) - Don Cheadle
Black Panther (T'Challa) - Chadwick Boseman (RIP)
Monica Rambeau - Teyonah Parris
Black Adam - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Erik Killmonger (N'Jadaka) - Michael B. Jordan
High Evolutionary – Chukwudi Iwuji
Kang the Conqueror - Jonathan Majors
Amanda Waller – Viola Davis & Angela Bassett
Spawn (Al Simmons) - Michael Jai White
…and many others…..
and as each one continues to lay the foundation for the presence of the next Black superhero or villain (brick by brick), a live action Miles would, in my opinion, secure a critical knot on the pop culture diversity bridge. That, coupled with a live action Black Superman or Black Batman could help cement the foundation. What’s good with you DC Comics?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has helped catapult Miles to the big leagues, earning its reputation as one of the greatest movies ever made. An instant classic. Why not cement it with a live action film?
With the animated feature (and video game), Miles Morales came to life in a way that truly captured the essence of being Spider-Man, delving into the very core of his being and the values that defined him. At the heart of it all was his family, the foundation from which his true character emerged. The emotional depth and character development related with audiences, allowing them to connect with the story on a deeper level as you saw him on screen, played him on video games and read about him in YA and graphic novels. Shoutout to Jason Reynolds for his contribution to Miles’ lore in Miles Morales: Spiderman and Miles Morales: Suspended, and Justin Reynolds in Spider-Man: Stranger Tides and Spider-Man: Shock Waves.
Across the Spiderverse masterfully portrayed the growth of Miles as both a hero and an individual. Through his journey, the audience witnessed the embodiment of Spider-Man's fundamental principles, which transcended the realm of just mere superheroics.
To cast an actor who can connect with both the character's African American and Latino heritage, who can embody his unique background is critical as the person who embodies this role will have immense shoes to fill as the newest addition to the Spider-Man legacy.
In other words, we do not have time for “Jared Leto/Joker moments”, We may never recover.
Miles has evolved into a cultural sensation, so much so, that for many, he has become a living example of what it is like to be a superhero in the real world. While some view Miles as a distant relative, similar to a cousin from their mother's or father’s side, others see him as a cherished big brother, a sibling not bound by blood but by deep connection. He’s Fam, not Broski (Joyner Lucas Edition).
He is revered as a family treasure, a crown jewel deserving utmost protection. This enchanting quality of Miles lies in his ability to evoke a spectrum of emotions—through his infectious laughter, daring escapades, romantic pursuits, formidable battles, and nerdy behavior (He was going to Princeton and I was rooting for him). The Spider-Verse series has written an amazing narrative that has built a passionate following as this fan base has actively engaged in discussions, analyses, and enthusiastic sharing of the movie's themes, performances, and images. Conversations have surged across various social media platforms, creating an interconnected web of appreciation and dialogue as to how Miles has shaped pop culture and the culture itself. These exchanges have transformed Morales into an icon, transcending screens, boundaries, and becoming a shared cultural experience for all.
He is our GodSon—a cherished presence that has touched lives with his resonance and significance. His journey is a testament that holds the potential to celebrate diversity, engage fans, and inspire a new generation of diverse storytellers, artists, writers and creators.
Congratulations Miles, You Made It.
Now, let's materialize his live action presence as he continues to bless a new wave of viewers with his witty one-liners, his intellect, and nerdy behavior.
(Data/Charts analyzed from Box Office Mojo)
