The Amazing Spider-Man Who is Peter Parker to you?

[joey_z]

I think this is a fairly important question that although gets a bit of attention in every thread, would be better served with its own. How would you want to see this movie portray Pete?

For me, Peter Parker is not the awkward and slow character portrayed in the Raimi films. In fact in the Stan Lee comics he was quite quick witted and his retorts flew over the heads of his contemporaries only to make the reader chuckle.

He was nerdy. But not in the contemporary sense of some kid yapping about the latest tech or science to the people around him and being labeled a dork. Instead, Parker was nerdy because he was like an old man in high school. Because of his financial and parental circumstances, he was reserved and forced to mature ahead of his peers, forced to study as hard as he did to get a scholarship for university and forced to save up money instead of spending it on clothes and leisurely pursuits.

This isn't of course a problem he suffered through out his life; as he grew older he suddenly found himself better in tune with the people in his mid 20s age group who were struggling with the same problems that he was during high school.

So that's the affable Peter Parker that I think would work really well on film. A person that is intelligent but reserved and who has the capacity to be so much more but because of events in his life and his financial situation can't pursue those goals. This would make him infinitely more relatable than Peter Maguire awkwardly dragging a cafeteria tray attached to his webbing.

Edit: I should add that although I don't think Maguire was representative of the comics version of Pete, I really enjoyed his presence in the trilogy. His burden of being an awkward/goofy guy coming to grips with his new responsibilities while trying to balance a love life all felt very genuine. While the audience might not have been able to relate to him, I think a lot of people understood and felt his frustrations. Those films had a heart reminiscent of Donner's Superman and I think Maguire played a large role in that outcome.

 

[Knight Rise]

if ANY type of Peter Parker should be portrayed in a modern world, Ultimate would be my pick

 

[Gianakin_]

if ANY type of Peter Parker should be portrayed in a modern world, Ultimate would be my pick

I haven't watched SSM yet, but USM PP is my favorite version, too.

 

[Ajendo]

I don't ever want to see the abomination that was Raimi/Maguire's Parker. I don't even know what the hell that was.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

A nerd who starts off as dorky and unsure of himself who later becomes comfortable with himself and becomes a confident and clever adult.

As time goes on Parker becomes more like his witty and extroverted alter-ego, Spider-man. But Parker is alot more reserved where as Spider-man is a constant jokester.

When the mask goes on Peter loosens up to an extreme.

 

[joey_z]

I don't ever want to see the abomination that was Raimi/Maguire's Parker. I don't even know what the hell that was.

To be fair it worked perfectly within the confines of the films. He's not the Parker that I saw in the comics, but Ultimate Pete isn't 616 (regular Marvel universe) Pete either.

In fact I have yet to see a better scene with a more perfectly cast actor in a comic book movie than this one from Spider-Man 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R3ywUSqrn8

 

[TheSlag]

To be fair it worked perfectly within the confines of the films. He's not the Parker that I saw in the comics, but Ultimate Pete isn't 616 (regular Marvel universe) Pete either.

In fact I have yet to see a better scene with a more perfectly cast actor in a comic book movie than this one from Spider-Man 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R3ywUSqrn8

You ever notice how the couple that was walking behind him right before he trips, magically disappear in the next shot where he is getting up. Another scene like the broken/not broken windows (just not as evident). You can spot these continuity gaps throughout scenes in the movies with the extras in the background filming. Crappy editing throughout the whole series. I really hope they do a MUCH better job of the editing/continuity in the reboot.

As far as Peter and who he is, or should be. Just as long as he is not the whimpy/milktoast/crying biatch that he was in the Raimi-fest... I will be ok.

 

[Ponco_87]

i always think of him as a Marty McFly type of character, come to think of it Michael J. Fox portrayal of Marty pretty sums up of what i want to see in Peter. Wouldn't be cool if he just called Dr. Connors 'Doc' all the time, like in the BTF series LOL.

 

[Ponco_87]

He would've been the perfect Peter Parker if they made it in the 80's t:

 

[Troy_Parker]

I think this is a fairly important question that although gets a bit of attention in every thread, would be better served with its own. How would you want to see this movie portray Pete like?

For me, Peter Parker is not the awkward and slow character portrayed in the Raimi films. In fact in the Stan Lee comics he was quite quick witted and his retorts flew over the heads of his contemporaries only to make the reader chuckle.

He was nerdy. But not in the contemporary sense of some kid yapping about the latest tech or science to the people around him and being labeled a dork. Instead, Parker was nerdy because he was like an old man in high school. Because of his financial and parental circumstances, he was reserved and forced to mature ahead of his peers, forced to study as hard as he did to get a scholarship for university and forced to save up money instead of spending it on clothes and leisurely pursuits.

This isn't of course a problem he suffered through out his life; as he grew older he suddenly found himself better in tune with the people in his mid 20s age group who were struggling with the same problems that he was during high school.

So that's the affable Peter Parker that I think would work really well on film. A person that is intelligent but reserved and who has the capacity to be so much more but because of events in his life and his financial situation can't pursue those goals. This would make him infinitely more relatable than Peter Maguire awkwardly dragging a cafeteria tray attached to his webbing.

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Although, I do think that Peter wasn't that bad in Spider-Man 1. lol

 

[ModestMr.Green]

He would've been the perfect Peter Parker if they made it in the 80's t:

Him, or Matthew Broderick.

 

[White_Knight191]

I think Peter Parker is someone who at first sight is very shy, but when you get to know him you can see just how cool and funny he can be.

If Peter is Spider-Man, he can really have fun and be very funny.
Once he takes of his Spidey suit he's the regular guy again.

But I really want to see him evolve in the next films. Peter should initially be someone who is very insecure about himself, but once he gets older and wiser, he becomes an adult and he's confident about himself.
He then becomes equally witty as Spider-Man as as Peter Parker too.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Peter Parker to me is a funny guy, scientific nerd, genius and inventive, quite the chicks magnet (at least with Gwen & Liz), disliked by most dudes in high school, teacher's pet with the highest grades in his school
Usually a loner

He would've been the perfect Peter Parker if they made it in the 80's t:

I seriously had hopes of seeing him play the role back in the days I was in high school after the release of the first movie

 

[Scarlet Spider]

He would've been the perfect Peter Parker if they made it in the 80's t:

Yes, absolutely.

Michael J. Fox (circa mid-80's) would have made a fantastic Peter Parker. Michael had the charisma, wit, and the personality to play every part of Peter's (and Spidey's) defining characteristics.

A nice cross between Marty McFly and Alex P. Keaton.

 

[Ultimate Doom]

I think that all of us here have a good idea of who Peter is

OP nailed it I think

 

[Vid Electricz]

I think this is a fairly important question that although gets a bit of attention in every thread, would be better served with its own. How would you want to see this movie portray Pete like?

For me, Peter Parker is not the awkward and slow character portrayed in the Raimi films. In fact in the Stan Lee comics he was quite quick witted and his retorts flew over the heads of his contemporaries only to make the reader chuckle.

He was nerdy. But not in the contemporary sense of some kid yapping about the latest tech or science to the people around him and being labeled a dork. Instead, Parker was nerdy because he was like an old man in high school. Because of his financial and parental circumstances, he was reserved and forced to mature ahead of his peers, forced to study as hard as he did to get a scholarship for university and forced to save up money instead of spending it on clothes and leisurely pursuits.

This isn't of course a problem he suffered through out his life; as he grew older he suddenly found himself better in tune with the people in his mid 20s age group who were struggling with the same problems that he was during high school.

So that's the affable Peter Parker that I think would work really well on film. A person that is intelligent but reserved and who has the capacity to be so much more but because of events in his life and his financial situation can't pursue those goals. This would make him infinitely more relatable than Peter Maguire awkwardly dragging a cafeteria tray attached to his webbing.

Well put. I like very much, the last part of your comment. Peter should be a guy with so much potential and such a desire to do the right thing, yet he is constantly held back by his financial situation, his responsibilities to his aunt, and other hardships and obligations in his life. I felt like that aspect didn't quite hit home in the original Spidey trilogy and I think it'd be such a great idea if they could pull if off really well in this one.

I do take exception with your comments on the "Raimi" Peter, though. I thought Peter was represented excellently in the first film. In Spider-Man 2, it seems they kept him as a meek pushover for the sake of comedy, mostly. I still don't find anything especially wrong with the portrayal of the Tobey Maguire Peter, though.

But really, to be fair, Peter Parker in the comics hasn't had much of a personality since Steve Ditko Left. Yeah, that's right- Since Amazing Spider-Man #38. That was the only consistent portrayal of the what I consider the true Peter Parker. In the beginning he was shy and awkward, yet still earnest and not afraid to speak up once in a while (and who would occasionally lose his temper). He gradually shifted to a confident young man (though still plagued with worries and near constant self doubt). I suspect Ditko had a lot more to do with this than Stan, because after Ditko left, Spider-Man became just another bland generic, good-looking, muscled superhero. Sure every writer since has worked from that original blueprint that Steve established, but more often than not, Peter has been this blank, faceless, everyman that whoever is writing him at the time uses to espouse their own agenda or personality.

 

[Alchemyst]

Peter Parker to me is the embodiment of a down to earth kid, he's loyal to his friends and family and is willing to throw himself on the line for those that he cares about. Outside the suit, he's shy timid, has a small circle of friends that see him for being smart, witty, and unique. In costume, Peter is able to extinguish his shyness and show somewhat of a wiseguy attitude, often intimidating his enemies through verbal abuse (quips, wisecracks). I see him as the person that you would have never suspected to be Spider-Man, a little kid with a big heart.

 

[NinjaCarm]

I don't ever want to see the abomination that was Raimi/Maguire's Parker. I don't even know what the hell that was.

Bravo.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

I forgot to add the nerd with money problems, and has a widowed aunt

 

[NinjaCarm]

I like your avatar Spider-Aziz

 

[Spider-Aziz]

^^Thanks, I like yours too

 

[Mary Jane Watson]

I think that thread is pretty cool b/c it allows us to re-think about who PP is. Anyways... What I love about PP is that he doesnt care what other people think of him and he always be himself for like 100%. Also he isnt a jealous person either.

 

[NinjaCarm]

I have to say I liked how he was portrayed in the MTV Series, the 90's cartoon, and of course TSSM.

Let me ask you this, what nationality did you always see Peter as, I know it doesn't matter, but I always saw him as a MUT I guess, but always Irish / Italian ?

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Irish, with a pinch of Italian

 

[DACrowe]

I'm not going to bother on casting or typecasting, as that is pointless to think about at this point. I think Garfield has an excellent resume (just as Maguire did when he wast cast...too bad he let it rust in the intervening years as Spidey) and should be able to pull off the role that is written and directed.

What I hope to see in the character is a more relaxed Peter who is comfortable in his own skin. However, that does not mean I want him to be Marty McFly (the cool kid) or some form of Mr. Popular that Stan got kind of lazy about near the end of his run and turned him into.

He should still be shy and somewhat geeky, but confident in his own geekiness. If there are sequels he can come out of his shell and develop a close group of friends (Flash, Gwen, Harry and of course MJ), but he should start as somewhat an outsider. But one who is a smartass both in and out of costume. That cheeky streak is the one thing I think Raimi really missed.

I hope they can keep the same sense of honor and emotional burden that Maguire was able to pull across so effectively that he kept the audiences rooting for him all three movies (or at least 2.5 of them ), he just needs to be a little more mellow and funnier.

My two cents.