Leaked contract reveals Spider-Man can't be gay, a minority

WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Peter Parker has long been played by straight white males in films, but not many fans knew why until this month, when a leaked contract listed "mandatory character traits" for the superhero, including his race and sexual orientation.

According to a contract between Sony and Marvel studios, neither Spider-Man nor Peter Parker are to be homosexual or of any other race or ethnic background other than white. The agreement was leaked through the hack of Sony Pictures that took place last November.

First reported by Gawker, the document went into effect in September 2011, and lists traits the two alter-egos must have if Sony intends to portray them. The contract also states Spider-Man is male; does not torture; does not kill unless in defense of himself or others; does not use inappropriate language beyond PG-13 rating; does not smoke; does not sell drugs; does not abuse alcohol; remains a virgin before the age of 16, and doesn't have sexual relations with anyone younger than that age.

Furthermore, Peter Parker must be "caucasian and heterosexual," coming from a household absent of his birth parents and raised by his aunt and uncle in Queens, N.Y. He must gain his powers from a spider bite and must design his first costume.

The report emerged just before the new Peter Parker was announced on Tuesday. Actor Tom Holland will portray the next Spider-Man in Sony's 2017 remake. Holland is a white, British actor known for his role in The Impossible and is popular on Instagram for his acrobatic stunts.

Meanwhile, an ethnically mixed Spider-Man named Miles Morales swings across the pages of the comic books. The half-latino, half-black superhero is played by Donald Glover in the animated show Ultimate Spider-Man on Disney XD. Spider-Man has been played by Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire in the past.