Spider-Man: Cross-Spider-Verse directors told a writer about the decision to split it into two

When Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse came out in 2018, it opened up multiple universes of potential adventures for Miles Morales and his Spidey counterparts. Naturally, there was a sequel to come. But in December 2021, when the first look at the movie was revealed, it came with the surprising announcement that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse would be split into two parts.

“For a long time, we were trying to combine two movies into one, and then we realized that the movie was telling us that this was a complete story arc and this was really the second part of the trilogy, and so it made it,” Chris Miller, co-writer of the movie with Phil Lord, told IGN during “It makes more sense,” he said in a recent interview. “Because it has a beginning, a middle, and an end for all the characters, they all grow up and they all have an arc. I felt like that was where the movie was telling us that this was its own thing.”

Asked if they were concerned about the two-part format, co-director Justin K. “

And it wasn’t like, ‘Hey, they just split in two.’ It was like having to make sure by the time that movie came out that it was a movie of its own and could stand on its own and was a complete story, but we still had enough unanswered questions to make audiences want to see the next movie,” Thompson continued, “… The three film directors who helmed Into the Spider-Verse are Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman.

“For me, my biggest stress about it was people saying it was too dark,” added Kemp Powers, co-director. “But it’s also necessary, Justin said, to get people to want to be in the next movie.”

“I’d be lying if we didn’t say, every decision we make, there’s a certain amount of nerve that goes into it,” said co-director Joaquín dos Santos. “You have to, at the end of the day, believe in the art, believe in your decisions, and trust your instincts. The fact that we’ve checked this thing a million times, and all of that stuff goes into a kind of magic brew for our final decisions. But I think it’s exciting and steamy.”

“Thrillers and Balls” is an apt way to sum up the impending sequel, which has been delayed from its initial April 2022 release. Cross-Spider-Verse will include Six distinct animation styles and clocks in at a running time of two hours and 40 minutes, making it The longest animated movie ever From a major Hollywood studio.

Returning actors include Shamick Moore as Miles, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen, Jake Johnson as the bumbling Spider-Man, Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Vélez as Miles’ parents, Jefferson Davis and Rio Morales. Oscar Isaac will also return as Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099, and Greta Lee as AI Holograms, after a brief introduction in In a post-credits scene in Spider-Verse. (Spider Pig is not Nick Cagealthoug.)

New cast additions include Issa Rae as Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman, Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart “Hobby” Brown / Spider-Bank, Jason Schwartzman and Jorma Tacon as villains Jonathon On / The Spot and Adrian Toomes / The Vulture, Shea Whigham as Gwen’s father, and Rachel Dratch, principal of Miles High School.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse web-slings in theaters June 2.

while you wait, Check out the character stickers To the many, many new Spideys joining the crew and Watch the latest exclusive clip Take a look at Spider-Cat, Spider-Rex, Web-Man, and Spider-Man 2211, just to name a few. You will also be able to land in Mega City like Miles or Spider-Man 2099 in Fortnite starting May 23rd. Stay tuned for more IGN interviews with the cast, writers, and directors.

LeAnn Butkovich is an entertainment writer based in Brooklyn, New York.