Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers forSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Even though no one can argue that there aren’t enough Spider-people inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, fans of the original movie certainly missed three of them. Spider-Ham (voiced byJohn Mulaney), Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) andSpider-Noir(Nicolas Cage) were absent for most of the sequel, and even though we got a certain payoff by the end ofAcross the Spider-Verse, co-directorJoaquim Dos Santosexplained to Collider that it wasn’t always like that.
In a Q&A that happened after aCollider and IMAX screeningofSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Dos Santos told our Editor-in-ChiefSteve Weintraubthat initially the idea was to feature more of the original team in this installment, but that ultimately one important element forced them to make a decision: Length. He stated:
“That was some stuff that was cut pretty early on, just for time. We knew part of the joy of Gwen getting the band back together was the promise that you’ll see them more in the next one.”
With ahefty runtimeof 140 minutes and a whole multiverse of Spider-people to introduce, it’s inevitable that some things would end up on the cutting room floor. However, the original team wasn’t that broken apart since Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) and especially Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) are both major players ofAcross the Spider-Verse. And, as De Santos mentioned, one of the final shots of the new movie makes it clear that the gang will be back together inSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, with exciting new additions to the super-group.
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There’s a Lot to Unpack FromAcross the Spider-VerseBefore We GoBeyond
Aside from Dos Santos,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseis also directed byKemp PowersandJustin K. Thompson. The screenplay is byPhil LordandChristopher Miller, who already said they savedeven more Spider-peopleforSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is slated to premiere in 2024. The story will see Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and his friends trying to reverse some events that shifted the different realities, as well as finding and defeatingvillain of the weekThe Spot (Jason Schwartzman).
Even though we’ll have to wait a while forBeyond the Spider-Verse, there’s plenty to dissect fromAcross the Spider-Verse, including Easter eggs, the movie’sconnection with the MCUand the cinematic universe that Sony is also kicking off. You’ll also probably want to do multiple screenings to be able to take a look at every Spider-person depicted in the story and you’ll also probably hear a lot more about the movie, since it’salready an acclaimed 2023 titleand it’s bound to be an early contender for the awards season in 2024.
