Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In this installment, fans will be introduced to Miguel O’Hara, also known as Spider-Man 2099. While Miguel assumes a significant role in the film, co-director Kemp Powers, in an interview with SFX magazine, revealed that his portrayal as Spider-Man 2099 goes beyond that of a traditional villain. Powers highlights the relatable goals of Miguel and emphasizes that while he becomes an antagonist to Miles, viewers may find themselves siding with his perspective. As the leader of the Spider-Force, Miguel carries an immense sense of responsibility that extends beyond any one neighborhood. He is depicted as a fascinating character who, despite his conflicting dynamic with Miles, is ultimately portrayed as a good guy rather than a villain.
“Miguel definitely becomes an antagonist to Miles, but his goals are very understandable,” Kemp said. “Some people might side with Miles’s perspective, but some people might side with Miguel’s. You know, Miguel is the leader of this Spider-Force for a reason. He bears this incredible sense of responsibility. Spider-Man has always been your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, and Miguel is very different in that his responsibilities go way beyond any one neighbourhood. He’s just a fascinating character, but he’s not a villain. He’s a good guy.”
Miguel’s futuristic iteration of Spider-Man diverges from the familiar radioactive spider bite narrative, as he crafted his own super-suit. With a talented cast that includes Shameik Moore reprising his role as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, the sequel promises an exciting exploration of the Spider-Verse, introducing new characters such as Spider-Woman, Spider-Man India, and Spider-Punk, portrayed by Issa Rae, Karan Soni, and Daniel Kaluuya, respectively.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Sets Sights on Surpassing Predecessor’s Opening Weekend
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has garnered significant anticipation as it gears up to surpass its predecessor in terms of opening weekend earnings. The projections indicate a promising start for the film, with Box Office Pro estimating a minimum domestic earning of $85 million within the first three days of release. If these projections hold true, it would more than double the opening weekend earnings of its predecessor, which debuted with $35.4 million. Moreover, the high-end projections are even more optimistic, suggesting a potential earning of up to $105 million, nearly tripling the earnings of the previous installment. The high expectations can be attributed, in part, to the success and positive reception of Into the Spider-Verse among critics and audiences alike.
In addition to the high expectations for box office success, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse stands out for its substantial runtime. The film has been confirmed to have a runtime of 140 minutes, positioning it as one of the longest Western animated films to date. Producer Amy Pascal has previously emphasized the importance of character-driven storytelling in sequels, prioritizing emotional engagement over mere spectacle. She believes that caring about the characters is paramount, and merely aiming for bigger and grander elements without a genuine connection would be futile. Pascal has also revealed that Across the Spider-Verse centers around a love story between Miles and Gwen, adding an emotional depth and personal touch to the movie’s narrative.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set to hit theaters on June 2, 2023.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
