The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is no stranger to bold casting choices, but when Bella Ramsey, the Emmy-nominated star of The Last of Us, tossed their hat into the superhero ring, the internet erupted in a frenzy of excitement, skepticism, and outright chaos. In a candid interview with Variety on August 18, 2025, at HBO’s Emmys nominees event in Hollywood, Ramsey dropped a bombshell that’s still reverberating through fan forums and social media: “I could be Spider-Man. Tom Holland did a great job, though. So maybe they do need to make a new [superhero] for me.” With those words, the 21-year-old non-binary actor, known for their fearless performances and unapologetic authenticity, sparked a debate that’s as much about identity and representation as it is about the future of Marvel’s iconic web-slinger. Is Ramsey serious about donning the Spidey suit, or are they planting the seeds for a brand-new superhero? One thing’s certain: the wizarding world’s Lyanna Mormont and post-apocalyptic Ellie is ready to shake up the MCU, and fans can’t stop talking about it.
A Playful Jab or a Serious Pitch?
Ramsey’s comment came during a lively red-carpet chat with Variety’s Marc Malkin, where the conversation turned to their Last of Us co-star Pedro Pascal’s recent MCU debut as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. When asked if they’d lobbied Pascal for a Marvel role, Ramsey’s response was equal parts cheeky and intriguing. “I don’t know about that,” they said with a grin, before dropping the Spider-Man bombshell. The quip was lighthearted, but their follow-up—“So maybe they do need to make a new [superhero] for me”—carried a spark of ambition that set the internet ablaze. Within hours, #BellaSpiderMan was trending on X, with fans and detractors alike dissecting every word.
What makes Ramsey’s statement so electrifying is its context. The MCU is at a crossroads, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland, currently filming for a July 2026 release. Holland’s Peter Parker remains a fan favorite, his boyish charm and acrobatic heroics defining the character for a generation. Yet, Ramsey’s playful suggestion tapped into a broader conversation about the Spider-Verse’s potential for reinvention. With animated hits like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse showcasing countless variants—Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Punk—Ramsey’s non-binary identity and rising star power make them a compelling candidate for a fresh take. Their recent discovery of superhero films, having watched Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man just months ago, only adds to the intrigue. “It was incredible,” Ramsey gushed to Variety. “I loved it.” That newfound fandom, paired with their acting chops, has fans dreaming of a bold new hero.
The Fan Frenzy: Love, Hate, and Everything In Between
The reaction to Ramsey’s comments was swift and polarized. On X, supporters flooded the platform with enthusiasm. “Bella Ramsey as a Spider-Person would be ICONIC,” one fan tweeted, sharing a fan-art mockup of Ramsey in a sleek, gender-neutral Spidey suit. Another wrote, “Their Ellie energy would make the coolest multiverse Spider-Man—Marvel, make it happen!” Ramsey’s acclaimed performances, from the fierce Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones to the gritty Ellie in The Last of Us, have earned them a loyal fanbase who see them as a natural fit for a superhero role. Their voice acting experience, notably as Hilda in Netflix’s animated series, also fuels speculation about a role in the upcoming Spider-Women or Spider-Punk spin-offs, where a non-binary Spider-Person could shine.
Yet, not everyone is on board. A vocal contingent of fans, particularly on Reddit and X, pushed back hard, arguing that Spider-Man is “inherently male” and that Ramsey’s casting would “destroy” the character’s legacy. “Spider-Man is Peter Parker, not Spider-They,” one X post snarked, racking up thousands of likes. Another user fumed, “Why mess with a classic? Let Bella have a new hero, not our Spidey.” The backlash, often laced with transphobic and gendered rhetoric, highlights the challenges of diversifying iconic roles. Some critics even took aim at Ramsey’s inexperience with superhero films, pointing to their admission of only recently watching Garfield’s Spider-Man as evidence they “don’t get the character.”
Ramsey, for their part, seems unfazed by the noise. Known for their candidness about their non-binary identity—they’ve spoken warmly of exploring gender through their Club Penguin avatar, Tomboy Bella—they’ve never shied away from controversy. Their playful tone in the Variety interview suggests they’re not seriously gunning for Holland’s role but rather floating the idea of a new hero tailored to their unique presence. “Bella wasn’t laying out a career plan,” one industry insider told Entertainment Weekly. “They were having fun, but it’s Hollywood—every quip becomes a headline.”
A New Hero for a New Era?
The idea of a custom superhero for Ramsey isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Marvel has a history of bold casting—think Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark or Zendaya as MJ—and the Spider-Verse’s multiversal framework offers endless possibilities. Fans on Reddit have proposed Ramsey as a variant like Spider-Gwen or a wholly original character, perhaps a non-binary hero tied to the X-Men reboot, with Kitty Pryde or Rogue as rumored fits. “Bella’s got the range,” one fan wrote. “They could play a mutant with emotional depth and kick-ass energy.” Others point to Squirrel Girl, a quirky, upbeat hero, as a perfect match for Ramsey’s charisma and humor.
The timing of Ramsey’s comments aligns with Marvel’s push for diversity. The MCU’s Phase Six, including Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, is set to expand its roster with new faces and identities. Ramsey’s non-binary perspective could bring a fresh lens to a genre often dominated by traditional archetypes. Their Last of Us role, which earned them a second Emmy nomination in 2025, showcased their ability to convey raw vulnerability and fierce resilience—qualities that could redefine what a Marvel hero looks like. Imagine a hero whose powers stem from empathy or memory, battling villains while grappling with their own identity. It’s a concept that fits both Ramsey’s strengths and the MCU’s evolving narrative.
The Hollywood Context
Ramsey’s Marvel musings also reflect their growing clout. At 21, they’re a rising star, with The Last of Us Season 2 earning 17 Emmy nominations and a third season confirmed for 2027. Their chemistry with Pedro Pascal, now a Marvel staple, adds fuel to the speculation. In the Variety interview, Ramsey shared that fans constantly ask about Pascal: “It’s, ‘How is Pedro Pascal? Is he as nice as he seems?’ And the answer is, ‘Yes.’” They also teased a desire to reunite with him in a heist movie, a lighthearted pitch that shows their knack for dreaming big. Could a Marvel project be their next collaboration?
The backlash, however, underscores the challenges of reimagining iconic roles. The MCU’s fanbase is notoriously protective, and Ramsey’s non-binary identity has become a lightning rod for criticism, much like the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel. Yet, supporters argue that Ramsey’s talent transcends controversy. “They’re a chameleon,” one X user wrote. “From Game of Thrones to Catherine Called Birdy, Bella owns every role. Marvel would be lucky to have them.” The debate has even sparked memes, with one imagining Ramsey as “Spider-Them,” swinging through a multiverse of outraged trolls.
What’s Next for Ramsey and Marvel?
As Spider-Man: Brand New Day films, Holland’s Peter Parker remains secure, but the Spider-Verse’s animated realm offers room for Ramsey to shine. A voice role in Spider-Women or a live-action cameo in Secret Wars could be the perfect entry point. Alternatively, Marvel could craft a new hero, leveraging Ramsey’s star power to launch a franchise. Their recent comments about watching Garfield’s Spider-Man—calling it “incredible”—show a genuine enthusiasm for the genre, making their involvement feel less like a stunt and more like a natural fit.
For now, Ramsey’s focus remains on The Last of Us, with no scripts yet for Season 3. But their Variety quip has planted a seed, one that could grow into something extraordinary. As the MCU evolves, Ramsey’s vision of a new superhero feels like a challenge to Marvel: dare to dream bigger, bolder, and more inclusive. Whether they swing into the Spider-Verse or forge a new path, one thing’s clear: Bella Ramsey is a force to be reckoned with, and their next move could change the game.
