SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE Producers Say They "Finally Made Some People Nervous" With Their "Insane" Sequel
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was an animated film unlike anything we’d ever seen before. Not only did it tell a great and fresh story, but the visual style of it was awesomely bonkers! Now we’ve got two sequels on the way, and the creative team is taking their innovative approach to a new level.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse have a high bar to reach, the fans expectations are through the roof and the producers can feel the weight of those expectations. During a recent interview with The Wrap, co-writer and producer Chris Miller talked about the pressure they are feeling, saying:
“There’s a lot of pressure on these films because you want the movie to deliver an engaging story and an emotional journey. You also want it to be all the things that people are hoping for but then also you need it to be something that people didn’t even know that they wanted.”
And that’s why I’m excited about these sequels! I’m excited about the surprise of awesomeness that awaits! The things I didn’t know I even wanted! One of the things they are doing to up the ante is to include 240 characters, with a story that will span six different universes. Producer and co-writer Phil Lord went on to tease: “It’s definitely more insane. We finally made some people nervous. I feel like we’ve done our job.”
I love that they are making people nervous with these next movies! Miller added:
“The whole idea of these movies is we’re showing you something you’ve never seen before. And if we just did a fun mild story that felt like the first movie, I think it would be a bit disappointing. You want to feel like you’re seeing visuals that you’ve never experienced before. To do all of those things and do them in a way that’s engaging and satisfying is a big challenge but it’s also part of the reason why we do these things. That’s the goal, just to make you laugh and cry and experience something that you’ve never experienced before.”
The film follows Miles Morales as Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, “plunged into the multiverse where he joins forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-folks to face off with a villain more powerful than anything they have ever encountered.”
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, “Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.”
The cast includes Shameik Moore as Miles; Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099; Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen, Brian Tyree Henry as Miles’ dad Jefferson Davis; Luna Lauren Velez as Miles’ mom Rio Morales; Issa Rae as Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman; Jorma Taccone as Vulture; Rachel Dratch; Shea Whigham; Greta Lee;Jason Schwartzman as Spot; and Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart “Hobie” Brown, a.k.a. Spider-Punk.
The movie is being directed and produced by Justin K. Thompson, Joaquim Dos Santos, and Kemp Powers. Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Christina Steinberg are also producing. Lord and Miller will also be credited as writers on the film, along with David Callaham.
I’ve already seen 15 minutes of the film, which was pretty awesome! You can watch us talk about that here. The movie is set to be released on June 2nd, 2023! There’s also a third installment, Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse, already dated for March 29th, 2024. Watch the recent trailer for the film here.