The long wait is over! Four and a half years after 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was released, its sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse finally came out last weekend on June 2, 2023. If you haven’t seen the follow-up movie yet and are wondering what to expect, below is an overview of Miles Morales’ latest adventure across the multiverse.
What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse about?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse reunites Miles Morales with fellow heroes Spider-Gwen and Peter B. Parker for another web-swinging adventure through the multiverse, which finds himself at odds with the Spider-Society. Led by Spider-Man 2099, the Spider-Society is a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the multiverse from threats. The sequel also introduces new heroes like Jessica Drew, Spider-Punk, and Pavitr Prabhakar, and unveils a new villain called The Spot.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson from a script written by Chris Miller, Phil Lord, and Dave Callaham. The superhero film is produced by Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Marvel Entertainment, Arad Productions, Lord Miller Productions, and Pascal Pictures.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse voice cast
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse features a huge voice cast that includes the following:
- Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man: The main character of the movie Miles is an intelligent and rebellious teenage graffiti artist of African-American and Puerto-Rican descent who took over as the Spider-Man of Earth-1610 after the death of his reality’s Peter Parker.
- Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman: A drummer of a rock band and Miles’ love interest, Gwen is the Spider-Woman of Earth-65.
- Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Morales: Jefferson is Miles’ father. He is a police officer who originally disapproved of Spider-Man’s vigilante actions but now sees Spider-Man as a hero.
- Luna Lauren Velez as Rio Morales: Rios is Miles’ mother. She is a nurse.
- Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man: A reluctant mentor to Miles, Peter comes from an alternate universe. He now has a daughter named Mayday with Mary Jane Watson, whom he reconnected with at the end of the first film.
- Jason Schwartzman as Dr. Jonathan Ohnn / The Spot: He is a former scientist from Alchemax who becomes a supervillain after an accident that covers his body with interdimensional portals, which allow him to travel through space and different universes.
- Issa Rae as Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman: A member of the Spider-Society, Jessica is a pregnant African-American Spider-Woman who rides a motorcycle.
- Karan Soni as Pavitr Prabhakar / Spider-Man India: Patvir is an Indian version of Spider-Man who obtained his powers through magic instead of a spider bite.
- Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart “Hobie” Brown / Spider-Punk: Hobbie is a Black British, punk rock version of Spider-Man. He is from an alternate universe that is ruled by a totalitarian regime. He uses his guitar as his main weapon.
- Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara / Spider-Man 2099: The leader of the Spider-Society, Miguel is muscular “ninja vampire” Spider-Man of Irish and Mexican descent from an alternate dimension set in the year 2099.
- Shea Whigham as George Stacy: George is Gwen’s father, who, ironically, is a police captain hunting Spider-Woman on Earth-65.
- Greta Lee as Lyla: The AI assistant of Miguel and the Spider Society.
- Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis / Prowler: Miles’ uncle who was killed by the Kingpin in the first film.
- Andy Samberg as Ben Reilly / Scarlet Spider: Ben is a genetic clone of Peter Parker from an alternate universe. He’s a member of Spider-Society.
- Jharrel Jerome as Miles G. Morales / Prowler: This is the Miles Morales of Earth-42, who has turned to a life of crime with his uncle Aaron.
- Amandla Stenberg as Margo Kess / Spider-Byte: A Spider-Woman from a virtual reality.[24]
- Jack Quaid as the Peter Parker of Gwen’s universe
- Rachel Dratch as Ms. Weber: She is a counselor at Miles’s school.
- Ziggy Marley as Lenny: He is a Jamaican shop owner.
- Jorma Taccone as Vulture: He is a vulture-themed supervillain from a Renaissance-inspired universe.
- Kathryn Hahn as Olivia “Liv” Octavius / Doctor Octopus: She is a former acolyte of the Kingpin with a tentacle pack.
Spider-Man: Who Dies In Across The Spider-Verse?
The first movie saw the deaths of three characters: Aaron Davis, Norman Osborn, and the Peter Parker of Miles’ universe. Aaron was shot in the head by the Kingpin; Norman, a.k.a. the Green Goblin, was killed during his fight with Peter; and the latter also found himself dying at the hands of the Kingpin, which caused Miles to step up and become his world’s new Spider-Man.
No main character dies in the sequel, but the follow-up film features several Uncle Ben deaths, which, as explained by Miguel O’Hara, is one of the canon events in the multiverse.
The concept of “canon events” in the Spider-Verse franchise is that there are certain events that must happen in every Spider-Man universe, or else the universe will be destroyed. These events can be anything from the death of Uncle Ben to the defeat of a major villain.
In Spider-Man: Across the Multiverse: Miguel tells Miles that he has seen many different Spider-Man universes, and in all of them, there are certain events that always happen. These events are called “canon events.”
Canon events, however, are not always easy to predict. In some cases, they can be very different from one universe to the next. For example, in the main Spider-Man universe, Uncle Ben is killed by a thief. However, in the Spider-Gwen universe, it is Captain Stacy who is killed.
Despite their unpredictability, canon events are always important. If a canon event is not allowed to happen, the universe will be destroyed. This is why it is so important for Spider-Men to uphold the law of the multiverse.
Canon events are a fascinating concept that adds a new layer of complexity to the Spider-Man mythos. They also make the Spider-Verse feel more like a real place, where events have consequences and actions have meaning.
Although all people close to Miles survive the sequel, he discovers that the Spot is destined to kill his father, Captain Jefferson Morales. Fans, however, will have to wait until the third movie Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse to find out whether or not this will actually happen.
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse worth watching?
Yes, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is definitely worth watching. If you’re a fan of Spider-Man or animation in general, then you need to see this film.
Critics are raving about it, calling it a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that surpasses its predecessor in every way. In fact, as of writing, the film is currently sitting at a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the film’s animation, story, characters, and humor.
The film’s animation is praised for its unique and innovative visual style, which uses a mix of 2D and 3D animation to create a visually dazzling and dynamic experience.
The movie’s storytelling, meanwhile, is applauded for being both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, and for dealing with some heavy themes in a respectful and emotionally resonant way.
The film’s characters are also commended for being well-developed and relatable, with Miles Morales being a particular standout.
Lastly, critics and fans alike have nothing but good words about the movie’s humor, calling it on-point without ever feeling forced or cheesy.
How is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse performing at the box office?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is performing very well at the box office. It opened to USD 120.5 million in its domestic debut, making it the second-biggest opening of 2023, behind only The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It also had the third-biggest opening weekend for any Spider-Man film, animated or live-action. According to Box Office Mojo, it has already grossed over USD 88.1 million overseas, bringing the worldwide total to USD 208.6 million. The movie’s ticket sales is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
Where to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is currently showing in theaters worldwide, including Dolby Cinemas.
Dolby Cinema is a premium movie theater experience that combines Dolby Vision picture and Dolby Atmos sound technologies. Dolby Vision is a high-dynamic-range (HDR) format that produces images with greater color accuracy, contrast, and brightness than traditional digital cinema projection. Dolby Atmos, meanwhile, is a surround sound system that creates a 360-degree audio experience that moves around and above the audience. As a result, Dolby Cinema provides a more immersive and engaging movie-watching experience.
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a visual masterpiece, with stunning animation, vibrant colors, and intricate details that are brought to life with Dolby Vision,” said Jed Harmsen, Head of Cinema and Group Entertainment at Dolby, in a statement. “Paired with the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos, audiences will feel like they are part of the action with Miles Morales. We can’t wait for fans to experience this amazing adventure across the Multiverse in Dolby Cinema.”
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse trailer
Excited to watch the spectacular Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse? Watch the trailer for the movie below to keep you pumped up!
