Spider-Man’s greatest strength isn’t his web-slinging abilities but his power to make people believe they could be the hero too, says filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, explaining why the friendly neighbourhood superhero has inspired generations across the world.
That Spider-Man belongs as much to Mumbai as he does to New York was evident recently when a local resident went viral after dressing up as the superhero to manage traffic, warn motorists about hidden potholes and help commuters navigate waterlogged roads following heavy rains.
“I think it’s so cool that people are able to see themselves behind the mask of Spider-Man. If there is going to be a character to emulate, I can’t think of a better character than Spider-Man,” Cretton, who has directed the new Tom Holland-starrer superhero film “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, told PTI in an interview.
“For somebody to help other people during a very difficult time in life, I think is so beautiful and represents the heart of Peter Parker,” he added.
Like millions of fans around the world, Cretton, who is of Japanese, American, Slovak, and Irish descent and was raised in Hawaii, said he spent his childhood imagining himself behind Spider-Man’s mask.
“… Even though I’m from a very different culture from Peter Parker, there’s something so universal about him that allows me to imagine myself behind that mask,” he added.
