First Live-Action Spider-Man Nicholas Hammond Looks Back At His Live-Action Series
There have been several debates over the best Peter Parker, however, those debates don’t usually include Nicholas Hammond, who bought the superhero to life on the CBS’ short-lived The Amazing Spider-Man series from 1977-1979. The show may not be as well-remembered as The Incredible Hulk that aired around the same time period. However, actor Hammond seems to have nothing but fond memories of playing the web-slinger, portraying one of the first live-action Spider-Men onscreen. In fact, Hammond even feels that the show could have lasted more than it actually did.
Nicholas Hammond Played Spider-Man For Two Years On TV
Recalling his two-year stint as Spider-Man in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, he confessed that he was initially reluctant to play the role. When the producers told him that they wanted someone to take a “fanciful take, convincing the viewers that he’s real, making them forget that they are watching is not just a comic book character,” he agreed to play the role. Unfortunately, the showrunners and execs lost their faith in The Amazing Spider-Man series after it just aired for merely 13 episodes over two seasons.
“They started chopping and changing [the schedule] around and the audience just couldn’t follow us,” said Hammond. “I think they did a very poor job of marketing the show. And it is a pity because I think we could have run for a few more years.”
Hammond also additionally detailed a few hurdles faced by the show during its production. These issues ranged from logistical problems to costume malfunctions and even running two crews at once. It was also an expensive undertaking at that time, with many fans commenting that the biggest flaw was the absence of real Spider-Man villains. However, the series’ preference for more grounded enemies was actually intentional. Even Stan Lee wasn’t too impressed when he saw the series.
Why Stan Lee Disappointed With Hammond’s Spider-Man?
“I think what Stan was disappointed by was a choice we made — that frankly, I felt was the right choice — which was to root it all in reality,” noted Hammond. “Meaning, we did not have fantasy comic book villains. We had people, we had drug dealers, blackmailers, criminals. So in a way, we turned it slightly into a crime show where there were issues about pollution and nuclear waste. I think he wanted comic book villains that Spider-Man fights. We thought it was better to have this guy with his power trying to stop people who were doing serious harm to the planet and to people. So we had a parting of ways there.”
The conversation with Hammond slowly steered towards No Way Home, which is already in news for having three Spider-Men from the past years and franchises. For obvious reasons, Hammond wasn’t invited to the party as seeing a 71-year old Spidey would be too much for even Marvel fans.
“I think it would have been huge fun,” added Hammond. “It would have been a kick in the pants to have the old guy there. I was really hoping I would be approached but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
