If you’re religious, chances are this past week was very important to you. While Christians were celebrating Holy Week, which culminated in Easter, Jewish folks have been observing Passover. But did you ever wonder what church holiday your favorite superheroes are celebrating right now? Probably not, but we now have some insight about a certain wall-crawler’s religious affiliations according to the actor who currently plays him.
In a recent interview with The Independent to promote ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2‘, Andrew Garfield revealed that Peter Parker is Jewish. At least, his version of the character is. Not sure if that’s actually a canon fact, but here are the actor’s comments on the matter:
“Spider-Man is neurotic. Peter Parker is not a simple dude. He can’t just switch off. He never feels like he’s doing enough. And Peter suffers from self-doubt. He ums and ahs about his future because he’s neurotic. He’s Jewish. It’s a defining feature. I hope Jewish people won’t mind the cliché, because my father’s Jewish. I have that in me for sure. He’s an over-thinker. It would be much easier if he was a life-saving robot.”
When it comes to Jews in the Marvel Universe, Spidey isn’t exactly the first one to come to mind. There are quite a few practitioners of Judaism in the pages of Marvel Comics including the ever-lovin, blue-eyed Thing, All-New X-Men leader Kitty Pryde, Magneto, Young Avengers member Wiccan, and Gertrude Yorkes of The Runaways (although she identifies as agnostic). However, if I recall correctly, when Peter and Mary Jane became husband and wife, they were married in a church and there were no signs of Jewish tradition present in the ceremony. Maybe someone should reach out to long-time editor Steve Wacker, current ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ writer Dan Slott, or the Generalissimo himself Stan Lee to find the true answer to this mystery.
Do you agree with Andrew Garfield and think that Peter Parker is Jewish? Or do you think that the actor means that he shares mannerisms with the Jewish people? Let’s hear your take on these comments below.
‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Chris Cooper, Paul Giamatti, and Sally Field swings into theaters in 3D on May 2, 2014.
