The world is a small place, one filled with coincidences. Perhaps nothing embodies that truth better than Nadji Jeter and Shameik Moore. The two actors, whose grandmothers grew up together in the same parish in Jamaica, have been friends since they were roughly 14 years old, when both appeared in guest roles on the sitcom Reed Between The Lines. Now, over a decade later, both have become known for their iconic portrayals of Miles Morales, Jeter in the Spider-Man TV series and Marvel’s Spider-Man games and Moore in the Spider-Verse series of animated films. But, as Jeter admitted to reporters including GameLuster’s Nirav Gandhi, the two have never actually discussed their experiences embodying Miles.
When asked at MomoCon in Atlanta, GA if he had talked with Moore about portraying Miles Morales, Jeter immediately burst out laughing and admitted that the idea had never come to him. Despite the two both becoming the face of Miles Morales in different media, they have never actually had a conversation about what it was like to play the character. Jeter liked the idea, however, saying “We’re going to have a long talk” in response to the reporter’s question.
Jeter spoke very fondly of his time as Miles, mentioning how much he enjoyed doing the motion-capture work for Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Although motion capture took approximately two to three years for each game, Jeter enjoyed doing it, especially – as he admitted with a laugh – when they let him do a few of his own stunts by swinging on ropes or crashing into foam walls in the motion capture studio. He also admitted that motion capture – which he also provided for his role of Sam in the 2013 game The Last of Us – was “like nothing he had ever done before,” describing the experience of sitting inside “a sphere of cameras” capturing his face to be “a whole new level” compared to either voice acting or live-action roles.
Although he had not spoken to Moore about the other actor’s role of Miles, he loudly and effusively praised the singer and rapper’s performance. He encouraged all present during the Q&A session to support Moore by watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which premieres in movie theaters on June 2, 2023. When asked if he himself planned to watch the film in theaters, Jeter’s response was a joyous shout. “Of course! I’ll be there! We’ll all be there! Every one of you, every camera – we’ll be there!”
