Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse to feature 6 different animation styles

By Kieran Burt.

Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of many anticipated films of 2023. 2018’s Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse wowed audiences not only with its animation but with its emotion, in particular Miles’ relationship to his uncle. The sequel is looking to up the ante though by diving into different forms of animation.

In an interview with Empire Magazine, writer/producer Phil Lord revealed that there won’t be just one, or two, or even three or four different animation styles, but six! 

“The first film had one animation style that dominates the movie. This movie has six,” says Lord. “So we’re taking those tools, adding all the things we learned on The Mitchells Vs The Machines, and then growing them further to accommodate the ambition of this movie. Which is to wow you every time you enter a new environment, and also to make sure that the style of the movie reflects the story, and that the images are driven by feelings, as opposed to some egg-headed art project. Which it also is, by the way!”

He also teases the styles audiences will get to see, like the the the one that Earth-50101 is in, or as Lord calls it “Mumbattan”, which is based off Indian comic-book looks, and “Nueva York”, Spider-man 2099’s home, which takes its inspiration from Syd Mead-style illustrations of the future. Earth-65, Gwen’s home, uses a watercolour-wash style that’s reminiscent of her comic-books. 

Across the Spider-Verse will be a hugely ambitious film when it releases, trying to balance the shifts between each animation style and making sure they all flow. Plot details of the film are light, though Miles will be travelling across the multiverse for a big adventure. 

Oscar Issac, who had a brief cameo in the first film in Into the Spider-Verse, will be reprising his role as Spider-man 2099 for what looks like a much bigger part. New additions also include Issa Roe as Spider-Woman and Daniel Kaluuya as Spider-Punk.

Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse will release on June 2, 2023.