As we’re sure you’ve already heard, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is swinging into Australian theatres on June 1st. There’s been delays, theories, cameos, and even a 14-minute clip released at CinemaCon, all of which have fans excitedly awaiting the follow-up film to the outstandingly successful release of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse back in 2018.
The latest trailers reveal some of the integral plot points that will send us reeling across the Spider-Verse once more. They establish that there’s an even wider range of universes beyond what Miles and audiences alike have already seen, and the on-screen debut of the Spider Society is finally here! Between the countless Spider-People cameos, and an introduction to Miguel O’Hara (aka Spider-Man 2099) there’s so much to look forward to! So, to channel our uncontainable excitement, here’s what you can look forward to seeing in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Spider people, spider people everywhere
Of course, the latest trailers have given us a taste of the bustling Spider Society that serves as the protectors of the universe, and their ranks are teeming with easter eggs and cameos. With Miles (Shameik Moore) meeting new and old Spider-People including Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman (Issa Rae), Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), The Scarlet Spider (Andy Samberg), Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), and honestly the rest of this article could just be a list of spiders but we think you get the point!
The range of diverse characters in the Spider Society goes to show that truly anyone can wear the mask, reigniting the diversity and inclusion that made Into the Spider-Verse so beloved. We’ll once again see an earnest reflection of everyday people who are heroes of their own stories.
The trailers have made it clear that one of the main conflicts of Across the Spider-Verse is that Miles is at odds with the Spider Society’s leader, Miguel O’Hara, though the origins of this conflict have remained somewhat ambiguous.
Miles Morales as Spider-Man (Shameik Moore) and Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) in ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’
Miles is ‘just doing his own thing’
We’re also going to delve into how Miles is handling his new identity as the only Spider-Man in his world. We get glimpses of how his life as a citizen is being impacted by his role as Spider-Man, with his parents seemingly disappointed by his split attention. Miles is also developing a budding connection with Gwen, who initially serves as an escape from his complex life.
Miles seems to be at odds with the Spider Society because of his refusal to submit to an unknown predetermined fate. The trailer briefly explores the mutual loss of the ‘Uncle Ben’ equivalent that all Spider-People experience in one way or another; the moment that forges a hero. For Gwen, she lost her best friend Peter Parker, which we briefly catch a glimpse of in trailers. This brings up the question: was Miles losing Uncle Aaron enough? Miles says that everyone keeps telling him how his story is ‘supposed’ to go, but that he will do his own thing in spite of this.
All this seems to end up positioning Miles against the Spider Society, because he may be willing to put his own desires over what the universe needs. And a self-serving superhero, while understandable, isn’t often adored. We’re going to see Miles truly explore and maybe even defy the sacrifice that comes with being Spider-Man.
Multiple big bads
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse seems to pit Miles against a range of characters. The Spider Society, Miguel O’Hara, and The Spot. The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) is an immortal physical being that, after an experiment goes awry, is made up entirely of portals. The Spot can hop and move across various dimensions at a time. It remains to be seen what his ultimate goal is.
Miguel and Miles seem to have a rivalry that is center stage for this movie, as their philosophical goals seem to be working against one another. There’s a fan theory that the spider we saw bite Miles didn’t appear to be from his own universe, due to its seemingly ‘glitching’ nature. Many speculate this could be why Miles is rejected from joining the Spider Society by its lead, Miguel, because he was never supposed to be a Spider-Person.
Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) and Miles Morales as Spider-Man (Shameik Moore) in ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’
The most loveable part of Spider-Man is how human he is, which may be why we see Miles lamenting over the choices and sacrifices he has to make. Yet Miguel has sacrificed this humanity and seems most concerned with the ‘greater good’.
Phenomenal animation
As always, the animation we’ve seen in promotional material is the same breathtaking style we have grown to love. This time, animators seem even more determined to provide us with groundbreaking fights, vivid colours, flowing movements, and revolutionary designs. If Across the Spider-Verse was just a movie-length scene of Miles swinging through New York, we’d still be happy. But we’re going to see fight scenes and glorious web-slinging moments even better than what we’ve come to expect. The trailers boast the flourishing development of the token Spider-Verse style, with evolved confidence from its animators.
With new characters, Miles struggling with choices, an ambiguous moral conflict, and undoubtedly stunning animation, there’s so much to look forward to in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. We’re confident that this movie will play on the big questions and responsibilities involved in being a hero, and if there’s anything fans love, it’s moral ambiguity! So, head to cinemas on June 1st to witness a new multi-dimensional chapter and explore the tangled web Miles Morales weaves.
‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’ is in cinemas June 1
