Directors announced for "Spider-Man: Beyond the Universe"
The two filmmakers were already involved in the predecessors
The hotly anticipated finale of the "Spider-Verse" trilogy has found its directors: Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson are taking over the creative direction of "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse".
Bob Persichetti was already one of the directors of the Oscar-winning film "Spider-Man: A New Universe". Justin K. Thompson, on the other hand, played a crucial role as production designer.
In an interview with Deadline, the two filmmakers expressed their delight at the project. Quote:
"We have been very privileged to be part of Miles' journey from the beginning, and to direct the conclusion of his story is more than exciting".
Joining Persichetti and Thompson are numerous familiar names from the "Spider-Verse" team, including producers Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Amy Pascal. And of course, Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac and Jake Johnson are also returning as cast members.
Sony's announcement of the directing team may come as a surprise to many fans: after all, the theatrical release was originally scheduled for spring 2024 and was then quietly ignored. Actually, we assumed until now that production had been underway at full speed for many months. So either they've been waiting to reveal the directors for whatever reason, or there are a lot more problems going on behind the scenes than we previously suspected.
Although the plot of "Beyond the Spider-Verse" is being kept under lock and key, expectations are high. The first two parts of the trilogy were a huge success both commercially and artistically, grossing a total of over $1 billion at the box office for Sony Pictures Animation. "A New Universe" won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Film, while "Across the Spider-Verse" became the studio's highest-grossing animated film to date. However, the release date for Part 3 has not been announced to date.
The Spider-Verse films so far: revolution in animated cinema
Sony Pictures Animation's "Spider-Verse" films have topsy-turvified animated cinema. With the previous two parts, "Spider-Man: A New Universe" (2018) and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" (2023), the studio has not only told a gripping story about the young hero Miles Morales, but has also set new visual standards. The films have thrilled fans and critics alike and did also revolutionize animated film.
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" – The beginning of a new era
The first film in the trilogy, 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse', was released in 2018 and established the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, as the main character. Miles, a teenager with African-Latino roots, is bitten by a radioactive spider and takes on the role of Spider-Man in an alternative dimension. The plot kicks off when Miles encounters other Spider-personas from different parallel universes, including Peter B. Parker, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir and even the cartoon pig Spider-Ham. Together they fight against the villain Kingpin, who threatens reality with an experimental machine.
The film's greatest strength lies in its groundbreaking animation. The creators opted for a style that makes comic pages look alive. Every scene looks like a work of art brought to life, with bold colors, artistic textures and onomatopoeia reminiscent of classic comics. This approach was rewarded with the Oscar for Best Animated Film and set new standards for the genre. In addition to the visuals, the film also convinced with its emotional core. Miles' journey, his insecurities and his attempt to find his place as Spider-Man touched audiences worldwide.
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" – A spectacular sequel
The sequel, 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse', continued the story in 2023 and introduced even more parallel universes. The film takes Miles on a new adventure in which he discovers a secret society of spider-beings that protects the stability of the multiverse. Along the way, he encounters old acquaintances like Gwen Stacy and new characters like Spider-Man 2099, a dark version of the hero from the future.
What makes this movie particularly special is the expansion of the visual concept. Each universe Miles visits has its own style. During a scene change, the viewer experiences universes ranging from watercolor painting to futuristic neon worlds to classic comic book aesthetics. This creative diversity makes "Across the Spider-Verse" a visually stunning masterpiece.
The film also takes the franchise to a new level in terms of storytelling. It delves deeper into the relationships between the characters and addresses the tensions between Miles and his family, as well as the conflict between personal happiness and responsibility to the multiverse.
Success and significance
The two Spider-Verse films have not only been commercially successful, but have also highlighted the importance of animated film as a serious art form. Together, they have grossed over $1 billion at the box office and won numerous awards. They have proven that animated films can deal with complex topics such as identity, responsibility and loss in an innovative way.
With the upcoming third installment, "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," fans can expect an epic finale that concludes the story of Miles Morales and possibly surpasses the standards of the Spider-Verse once again.
