Skip to main content

10 things you need to know about Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Just like that, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and his extra-dimensional spider-pals are web-slinging back into our lives with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The sensational 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse dazzled audiences with a colorful splash of comic book-themed animation while highlighting the journey of young Miles Morales into the world of superheroism. As both film titles imply, Miles’ Spider-Man isn’t alone. There’s a vast multiverse littered with countless variations of the wallcrawler, and in this sequel, Miles is seemingly still holding onto his connection with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a Spider-Woman from another universe who aided him in saving the multiverse.

Across the Spider-Verse promises fans a bigger and bolder expansion of the interdimensional Spider-people network than we already know. Just how far does the rabbit hole go? With so many people sharing the same web-slinging moniker and powers, the real question becomes: is there an inherent fate or destiny all Spider-people have in common that makes them who they are? It’s a question that Miles will ultimately confront in his latest adventure. If you’re prepared to zip across dimensions with our favorite animated Spider-Man, there are some facts surrounding the film that might interest you and amplify your excitement.

1. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are among the writers attached to the film

Phil Lord Chris Miller 22 Jump Street
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Who are Phil Lord and Christopher Miller you might ask? Well, these two have shared a fairly prolific tenure in Hollywood for well over a decade. As far as comedic animated adventures are concerned, the pair wrote and directed films like Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and The Lego Movie.

They’ve also directed live-action films such as 2012’s 21 Jump Street and its sequel 22 Jump Street. While Miller didn’t join his longtime pal for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, he partnered with Lord and others in penning the latest sequel.

2. Oscar Isaac voices Spider-Man 2099

Oscar Isaac in Moon Knight.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There’s a new web-slinger in Across the Spider-Verse that’s going to take a fair amount of the spotlight. If the marketing material isn’t already an indication, he might also be a tad antagonistic toward our plucky Brooklynite hero. The Spider-Man of 2099 leads a crew across dimensions with a singular goal in mind. Under the mask is a man by the name of Miguel O’Hara who is voiced by none other than Oscar Isaac of Star Wars and Moon Knight fame. This is Oscar Isaac’s fourth appearance in a Marvel project which includes X-Men: ApocalypseMoon Knight, and a brief vocal appearance as Spider-Man 2099 in Into the Spider-Verse.

In the world of comics, Miguel became Spider-Man after an incident that saw his genetic code rewritten with spider DNA. As a geneticist who sought to recreate the original Spider-Man’s abilities in others, he inadvertently became the lucky recipient.

3. The film is part one of two

Miles Morales falls in between two buildings in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Sony Pictures Animation

This is an important detail that many who set out to see Across the Spider-Verse might not be aware of. While the movie will likely be just as engaging to the younger crowd all the same, adults might be rather perturbed when a “To Be Continued” message splashes across the screen during a pivotal climactic moment.

That’s right, this film is part one of a two-part narrative. It’s wise to prepare yourself and any in your party who attends the film with you for the inevitable cliffhanger. Perhaps, it’s an upset that could have been avoided if “Part 1” was anywhere in the title. However, the filmmakers dropped “Part 1” from the title opting to give the threequel a separate name to cap off this animated trilogy: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

4. Jessica Drew makes her on-screen debut as Spider-Woman

Jessica Drew in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fans of the Spider-Verse might know Jessica Drew – a former Hydra spy gifted with spider powers. In Across the Spider-Verse, she makes her first big-screen debut. Insecure‘s Issa Rae brings her vocal talents to the character.

In the film she operates alongside Miguel as an inter-dimensional traveler who cleans up “anomalies.” She is one of many Spider-people who appear in this riveting sequel but is, perhaps, one of the most notable given her recent popularity in the comic book medium.

5. This sequel utilized the most animators ever used in any single film

Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy hang upside down together in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Sony Pictures Animation / Sony Pictures Animation

Everyone knows the number one rule of a film series: each and every sequel must be bigger and bolder than its predecessor. Across the Spider-Verse aims high and overshoots this target by a longshot. Not only does the film boast an impressive volume of comic book characters in a single movie, but over 1,000 animators were put to work in creating a kaleidoscopic amalgamation of vibrant colors and art styles as shared by the producers and writers at 2022’s CinemaCon (via CBR).

Across embraces many distinct and differing visual tones. For instance, cooler hues in splashes of watercolor patterns often appear to indicate sadness, regret, or a strong emotion a particular character is feeling while other dimensions embrace different stylings like that of the Golden Age of Comics. It’s truly a magnificent feast for the eyes making this animation record believable.

6. Spider-Man: a hero of many films

Miles Morales soars through the air in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Sony Pictures Releasing

Spider-Man is a popular hero, to say the least. Audiences young and old adore his quippy banter and youthful charm. Fighting bad guys doesn’t always have to be dark and tragic. With Spider-Man, there’ll undoubtedly be plenty of jokes along the way.

With that said, Across the Spider-Verse marks the 10th feature film to hit the silver screen featuring the web-slinging hero in many different varieties. So, there’s no shortage of Spider-Man entertainment. And it’s likely that the running faucet of Spidey entertainment won’t shut off any time soon.

7. A Spider-Man of many universes

Gwen Stacy stands next to Peter B. Parker in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Sony Pictures Animation

There’s a certain expectation to uphold when you name a film Across the Spider-Verse. What you can glean from this is that we’re about to take a trip through many other dimensions, not just the home base of young Miles Morales. Well, the film lives up to the name by offering viewers a glimpse (or extended stay) of six different universes. And this isn’t even counting the litany of Spider-Verse Easter eggs that are evidence of many other known universes. Heck, there’s even a brief nod to Spider-Man’s Atari 2600 incarnation from 1982.

8. Jason Schwartzman voices the hapless villain, The Spot

The Spot stealing from an ATM in Across the Spider-Verse
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jason Schwartzman knows comedy like the best of them. And it’s clear from the earliest trailers that he injects a fair bit of humor into his villainous role as The Spot, a character that is connected to Miles Morales in several ways. His name is derived from the obvious spots that dot his otherwise white personage. He can use spots to create wormholes on the fly that allow him quick travel or opportunities to trip up his enemies.

As one can glean, even from the marketing material, The Spot doesn’t exactly have a handle on his powers. Schwartzman’s vocal talents will undoubtedly leave many audiences laughing at his misfortune, but as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World proved, the actor can be a formidable villain as well.

9. The return of Spider-Man Unlimited

Three Spider-Men point at each other in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There will assuredly be a plethora of Spider-Man variations from the wall-crawler’s comic book, TV, film, and even video game legacy to call to attention in the film’s treasure trove of Easter eggs, references, and crossovers. One such appearance that super fans with a keen eye in the trailers and marketing material will undoubtedly recognize is special to many who watched a certain late-90s animated series entitled Spider-Man Unlimited.

The popular series aired sometime after Marvel went bankrupt in the mid-90s which led to the licensing of Spider-Man to shift, eventually landing in Sony’s corner. Saban produced the series and largely created something wholly original with stories not entirely found within the pages of comic books. It’s exciting to see this now, lesser-known, incarnation of the character make a return of sorts.

10. Across the Spider-Verse is now linked to the MCU

Zendaya and Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Sony / Sony

In one of the trailers for the film, we see Oscar Isaac’s Miguel O’Hara angrily reject Miles prefacing his frustration with the statement, “Don’t even get me started on Dr. Strange and that little nerd back on Earth-19999.” This is a clear reference to the interdimensional upset Tom Holland’s Peter Parker caused in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The MCU Earth is also famously designated as Earth-19999. Therefore, the animated realm of Spider-folk is now officially linked to the MCU, even if in a small capacity.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now in theaters.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Christopher Hinton
Chris is a passionate and creative writer whose abiding fondness for cinema, video games, television, novels, and comic books…
10 best Spider-Man stories ever, ranked
Spider-Man sticks to a wall in a Marvel comic.

There's no rest for Marvel's famous web-slinger. Spider-Man is, perhaps, the most popular superhero across the entire pantheon of Marvel heroes. For decades, the spunky young hero has been pummeling criminals with both his fists and comical wit. He's moved from the pages of comic books to headline several TV series and blockbusting cinematic adventures. Spider-Man's presence in the pop culture fandom simply can't be understated. And with recent storyline innovations and animated adaptations like Across the Spider-Verse, Peter Parker is just one of countless wall-crawlers who dons the title. Each Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, or uh, Spider-Rex (that's right, there's a T-Rex with spider powers) has their own story and individual capabilities.

Whether we're viewing the world from the Peter Parker lens or any of his countless inter-dimensional compadres, there's a wealth of Spider-Man stories at our fingertips across multiple mediums. In our multimedia age, Spider-Man is everywhere and some of the best stories featuring the iconic hero aren't always within the pages of comic books. So, if you're looking for a Spider-Man story oozing with thrills, character-centric story arcs, and enthralling conflicts, look no further than our handy list featuring Spider-Man at his best.
10. The Amazing Spider-Man 31-33: The Master Planner Saga

Read more
5 actors who should play Spider-Gwen in a live-action MCU movie
Spider-Gwen in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."

Aside from Peter Parker and Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, aka Spider-Gwen, is currently one of Marvel's most popular web-slingers. Naturally, fans are anxious to see her make her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While Hailee Steinfeld continues to establish herself as the best Gwen Stacy in Sony's animated Spider-Verse films Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse, her role as Kate Bishop could prevent her from bringing the character to live-action. Should the character make her first appearance in the MCU, the studio should really consider these five actors for the role of Spider-Gwen.
Maya Hawke

Read more
5 great multiverse movies to watch besides Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales falls through a multiverse portal in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

The concept of the multiverse is a natural fit for sci-fi movie premises, but it's now expanded beyond that. The last few years have made the multiverse plot device more mainstream than ever across a few subgenres. This month alone has two major blockbusters using it as the crux of their stories, from the widely acclaimed Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to the forthcoming DC reboot The Flash.

Academy Award juggernaut and indie darling Everything Everywhere All at Once is another shining example of the multiverse gimmick done well in movies. Here are six great multiverse movies you need to watch.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse/Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Read more