Spider-Man writer Dan Slott recently did an interview about the Marvel Cinematic Univers, specifically commenting on the recent news about Spider-Man, the character he’s been shepherding since 2008 (and before, if you count the excellent Spider-Man/Human Torch: I’m With Stupid limited series back in ’05).

As usual, the guy’s right on about about a lot of things, and an entertaining guy, one part classic Stan Lee huckster, a few more parts ascended fanboy; above all, he’s one the geeks like the rest of us, only he gets to play with bigger toys, and his joy at being able to do so comes through in every interaction I’ve seen him have with fans or the media. It’s a great thing to see.

The one thing I really like about the piece, though, is this bit, which hits a lot of the right notes. One thing Spider-Man has going for him is that the mask (which tends to keep coming off in the movies, alas), covering his whole face, provides a bit of a blank slate for all fans, anyone who’s ever felt a bit like a nerdy outcast, to identify with; it doesn’t matter who’s under there; in your head, he’s you, sharing your triumphs and frustrations (see Paul Jenkins’ excellent Peter Parker: Spider-Man #35 from back in 1999, particularly this image). That’s really, I think what’s kept the character vital for 50 years.

That said, one of the things I’d be interested in seeing is, I hope they make the casting open for everyone. There’s nothing inherently white about Peter Parker. Peter Parker is a nerdy outcast. Anybody, from any walk of life, can be a nerdy outcast. One of the reasons why Spider-Man speaks to everyone around the world is that mask. I’ve met so many young Spider-Man fans over the years. People that grew up and are now old, but when they first met Spider-Man, they kind of didn’t know who was under that mask. And that gives him the freedom to be anyone. That gives him the freedom to be someone just like you. It’d be really nice to see that as a possibility. Even if they end up casting someone who, at the end of the day, looks just like Peter Parker. It would be nice if the door was open and they just [said] , “Spider-Man can be anybody.”