The Small PlayStation Details Only Hardcore Fans Caught In The Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Trailer
Fans have been waiting with bated breath for any new information about "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" ever since Sony Picture Entertainment released the first look teaser last year. Its predecessor, "Into the Spider-Verse," was indisputably one of the most innovative feats of animation in recent memory and the vibrant visuals on display in the first trailer showed that the sequel's Spidey senses are just as sharp as ever. Now a new "Across the Spider-Verse" trailer has finally dropped, giving fans a little more information about what they can expect to see in the upcoming film. It kicks off with Miles getting a pep talk from his mom that seems to indicate that he is starting to feel the weight of his role as Spider-Man, then quickly leads into a scene in which he follows Spider-Gwen into what looks like a sort of hub world between dimensions.
Here, fans can pick out dozens of different Spidey variants. There's Peter B. Parker from the first film, as well as other popular Spider-people such as Spider-Woman, Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Man Unlimited, and the Scarlet Spider. Heck, even the Bombastic Bag-Man pops up at one time in a super-recognizable homemade Spider-Man suit. The trailer moves pretty fast, so it's difficult to see them all, but there are a couple Spider-Man variants that PlayStation fans might recognize.
That's right; "Across the Spider-Verse" isn't just pulling from years of comic books and cartoons. Eagle-eyed Marvel fans have also spotted at least two Spider-Man incarnations made famous by video game developers Insomniac and Neversoft.
Sony sends PS4 Spidey into the Spider-Verse
When Gwen and Miles first reach the hub world, the camera quickly pans back and reveals a plethora of Spider-folk wandering around on futuristic looking walkways. One of the pair on the right side of the walkway appears to be the version of Peter Parker from "Marvel's Spider-Man" and its upcoming sequel. This version of Peter is easily recognizable by the unique white spider on the chest of the Advanced Suit, which he received from Doctor Octavius after his original one was irreparably damaged.
It's a crossover that fans might not have expected, but it actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Insomniac's wall-crawling action games were published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, so it's perfectly logical that Sony Pictures Entertainment would want to make use of one of its other properties in such a way. Also, PlayStation's Spider-Man (who hails from Earth-1048) previously found himself embroiled in a multiversal event during Marvel Comics' "Spider-Geddon" crossover and miniseries.
In the world of "Marvel's Spider-Man," Peter Parker has made it one of his goals to train Miles Morales and make sure he's prepared to take on supervillains like Rhino and the Tinkerer. However, the trailer for "Across the Spider-Verse" puts Miles on his back heels immediately, as the hero appears to be on the run from his fellow Spideys. It should be interesting for fans to see if PS4 Pete drops his typical mentor role towards Miles in the new movie.
Fans are left with a ton of questions, actually. Will Insomniac's Spider-Man appear as more than just a mere cameo? Will Yuri Lowenthal will return to once again voice the character? And... is that also the PS1 Spider-Man over there in the corner?
PS1 Spidey makes a sneaky cameo
"Marvel's Spider-Man" might not be the only video game adaptation to get a nod in the "Across the Spider-Verse" trailer, as another bit of PlayStation history has apparently been spotted. During a sequence in which dozens of Spider-Men converge on a walkway and pursue Miles Morales, some fans are pretty sure they've found the version of Spider-Man from Neversoft's "Spider-Man."
Originally released in 2000 for the PlayStation One and subsequently ported to other consoles, "Spider-Man" followed the titular hero's efforts to foil a plan concocted by Doctor Octopus and Carnage. The game received rave reviews and is still seen by many fans as a high point in video game comic book adaptations. This incarnation of the hero was voiced by Rino Romano, who also portrayed the character in the aforementioned "Spider-Man Unlimited."
In the new trailer, fans have pointed out that this Spider-Man even appears to be animated as though he's running through the PS1 game. This would make sense, as "Across the Spider-Verse" writer/producer Phil Lord has previously said each of the film's dimensions will utilize a distinct art style (via Empire).
that HAS to be PS1 Spider-Man he even has a wonky basic running animation#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse pic.twitter.com/KETdvX0hXF
— SuperWiiBros08 (@SuperWiiBros08) December 13, 2022
As with Insomniac's Spider-Man, it's unclear how big of a role PS1 Spider-Man will play in the movie. But for a huge section of the character's fanbase, this is a sign that no Spider-Man is too obscure to appear in "Across the Spider-Verse."