Hall H took a trip into the Spider-Verse on Friday.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse delivered eye-popping footage of the film, which has an animation style evoking comic book panels in a way not quite seen on the big screen before.
“This is the best opportunity ever to tell a story that actually looked like a comic book. From the very beginning we said, ‘How can we make a movie that looks like nothing you’ve seen before?'” said producer Phil Lord.
The film stars Shameik Moore as Miles Morales and also features Jake Johnson as Miles’ mentor, Peter Parker/Spider-Man; Hailee Steinfeld as the classic Spider-Man character Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen; Mahershala Ali as Miles’ uncle Aaron; Brian Tyree Henry as Miles’ father, Jefferson; Luna Lauren Velez as Miles’ mother, Rio; and Lily Tomlin as Peter Parker’s beloved aunt May.
The footage began with Miles waking up, likely after he first got his powers. He notes his pants seem smaller and thinks he went through puberty. At school, he gets his hair stuck in Gwen’s hair. It’s all quite embarrassing, and they end up on the floor and eventually at the nurse’s office, where part of Gwen’s hair must be cut off to get them unstuck.
Later we see a news report that Peter Parker/Spider-Man has died. While Miles is mourning him at his grave, a mysterious figure comes up behind him. Improbably, it’s an older Peter Parker from a different dimension. In his surprise, Miles knocks him out.
A huge chase with the NYPD ensues, as Miles must web-sling away with an unconscious Peter.
“Why are you older, and why is your body a different shape?” Miles later asks, to which Peter responds: “I’m pretty sure you just called me fat.”
There are lots of good comedic moments showing off the chemistry between the two Spider-Men. Later, we see the revelation of Spider-Gwen, as well as Spider-Man noir (Nicholas Cage), Penny Parker (Kimiko Glenn) and Spider-Ham (John Mulaney).
“He’s a black Spider-Man. Black and Mexican — I think that’s very powerful and iconic,” Moore said to applause, before the sizzle reel played.
As a young man, Moore had a goal to be Spider-Man while he was filming Dope. His co-star Kiersey Clemons gave him a notebook, which he used for writing down aspirations.
Johnson noted that his version of Peter Parker is “Spider-Man at 40,” a seasoned hero who may not be as excited about the superhero life as he’s gotten older. Getting to know Miles invigorates him.
The two performed a scene onstage in which Peter rebuffs Miles’ requests to learn the ways of Spider-Man.
“Peter is in a situation where he sees this kid asking something of him, but he doesn’t want to give it to him. But he’s so persistent,” said Johnson.
Steinfeld, whose character Spider-Gwen is a fan favorite, noted: “She is the toughest and the coolest and the smartest and the most capable one in the room, and she knows it.”
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman direct the film, which is produced by Lord and Chris Miller.
Sony is releasing Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on Dec. 14.
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