Although Sony Pictures forged an agreement with Marvel Studios to allow Spider-Man, of which the former has the film rights for, to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they are not putting all their eggs in that basket. While Spidey made waves in the MCU as played by Tom Holland, Sony and Columbia Picture started their own films with the Spider-franchise. The first was “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” in 2018, starring Shameik Moore as new-gen Spidey Miles Morales. This animated film was the first superhero movie to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar. A sequel was promised, and now the first teaser for it has excited the Spider-Man fan community.

Entertainment Weekly tells us that Sony Pictures has revealed the first teaser for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” sequel to “Into the Spider-Verse.” That in itself was not much of a surprise, as the follow-up was long telegraphed by writer Phil Lord. What was a major shocker was that the title was appended with “Part One,” meaning that the upcoming film is just part of a whole story, akin to “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame.” At least that was made clear in comparison to the “Dune” remake which premiered this year.

The teaser builds up on the pre- and post-credit scenes from the first “Spider-Verse” movie. In the former, Miles somehow regains contact with the other-dimensional Spider-Woman, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld). Now however, it is framed as happening a few years after the film’s main storyline. Gwen entices Miles to join her on a trip across dimensions, and he reluctantly accepts. His journey takes him into a psychedelic 2D-animated acid trip. And in the middle of things he gets into a web-swinging fight with Spider-Man 2099. This version of Spidey from a future (comic-book) timeline was at the post-credits, voiced by Oscar Isaac. Why he is fighting Miles now remains unknown.

Phil Lord and his collaborator/co-producer Chris Miller note that for the “Spider-Verse” sequel, Miles Morales will meet up with old friends and encounter new ones. This tentatively confirms some if not all of the alternate Spiders, such as Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson). As for new Spiders, one confirmed is Spider-Woman Jessica Drew, said to be portrayed by Issa Rae. Also hinted at is Takuya Yamashiro, the live-action Japanese “Supaida-man” from the 1978 Toei tokusatsu series. “Across the Spider-Verse” Part One will release October 2022, with Part Two following 2023.

Image courtesy of Marvel.com