Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse writer and producer duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have teased the animation ambition of the upcoming sequel, with a stunning new image teasing just what that ambition will look like on screen. Coming courtesy of Empire, the new image puts the spotlight on one of the Spider-Variants…though we can’t quite tell which one. Whoever it is, the image is a haunting hint at what’s to come.
Speaking with Empire, Lord explained how the sequel will differ from its predecessor animation-wise, revealing that while the 2018 Oscar winner Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse had one animation style, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has six.
Aside from the sheer level of dedication that will no doubt be on display when Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swings into theaters next year, it’s great to hear that Lord and Miller are using their 2021, critically acclaimed, Academy Award-nominated outing The Mitchells vs. the Machines as inspiration.
“The first film had one animation style that dominates the movie. This movie has six. So we’re taking those tools, adding all the things we learned on The Mitchells Vs The Machines, and then growing them further to accommodate the ambition of this movie. Which is to wow you every time you enter a new environment, and also to make sure that the style of the movie reflect the story, and that the images are driven by feelings, as opposed to some egg-headed art project. Which it also is, by the way!”
Miller then teased some of what’s to come in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as it launches, unsurprisingly, across the spider-verse. Explaining the differences in animation from universe to universe, it seems that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will include watercolor styles, influences from the comics, and even a universe inspired by the artwork of American industrial designer and neo-futurist concept artist, Sydney Jay Mead.
Into the Spider-Verse was already a wonderfully vibrant visual treat, but it sounds like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will up the ante far beyond what audiences can imagine.
“The two that you saw in the teaser trailer were what’s called Earth-50101, which we’re calling ‘Mumbattan’ – that’s based on an Indian comic-book look – and Nueva York from Spider-Man 2099’s world. That’s based on Syd Mead-style illustrations of what the future might look like. There’s also Gwen’s world, which is Earth-65. And that was a watercolour-wash style that’s reminiscent of the covers of her comic books.”
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is Due to Land in Theaters in June
Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse finds Miles Morales, aka Spider-Man heading off on an adventure across the multiverse with Gwen Stacy, aka Spider-Woman, and a new team of Spider-people who must face a powerful villain.
Led once again by Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, the sequel adds Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099, Issa Rae as Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman, Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart “Hobie” Brown aka Spider-Punk, and Jason Schwartzman as the Spot, with Hailee Steinfeld and Jake Johnson set to reprise their roles as Gwen Stacy and Peter B. Parker, respectively.
Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson from a screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 2, 2023, with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse set to be released in March 2024.
