Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse‘s plot is strongly focused on Spider-Man/Miles Morales and the other Spider-People exploring different universes. In the film, many different animation art styles are used to depict these different universes inhabited by members of the Spider-Society, a group of different Spider-People across the multiverse. This approach gives each universe visited in the film a unique vibe. These unique atmospheres make exploring each universe so engaging in the film.
The Animator Behind Across The Spider-Verse’s Craziest Scene
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In one such sequence, the world of LEGO Spider-Man is shown when The Spot interferes with it, revealing LEGO Spider-Man is also a member of the Spider-Society. The entire scene is animated in a stop-motion style to mimic media made by fans using Lego minifigures over the years. Stop-motion is an animation style where live-action inanimate objects come alive through creative camera and editing techniques. Popular examples of the animation style are films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline.
The animator of the sequence in question is a teenager named Preston Mutanga, known for his fan-made LEGO stop-motion trailers on YouTube. Mutanga previously animated a stop-motion trailer for Across The Spider-Verse, amassing over half a million views on YouTube. Mutanga confirmed his participation in Across The Spider-Verse on Twitter.
LEGO Into The Lego Spider-Verse
The decision to even include a LEGO universe is a great nod to co-writers/producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s previous animated films, The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part. Those films, while not animated in a proper stop-motion style, used computer animation to replicate the feel of it.
The LEGO Movie‘s imitation of stop-motion was so impressive, the film was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015. The LEGO Movie was also financially successful enough to lead to more LEGO-themed films like The LEGO Batman Movie and The LEGO Ninjago Movie.
The LEGO Universe sequence is definitely one of the most eye-catching in an already well-animated film. While the scene may have been completed with studio resources, it’s a great display of Mutanga’s talent as an animator, especially at such a young age.
The filmmakers reaching out to Mutanga to create a sequence for Across The Spider-Verse speaks to the filmmakers’ respect for the Lego stop-motion animation style. Mutanga’s contribution to Across The Spider-Verse could also be an inspiring moment for other young up-and-coming animators experimenting with the medium.
Where Lego Spider-Man Can Swing To Next
The scene is brief, but left me wanting more from it in the next film, Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse. There’s still a lot of potential in further exploring LEGO Spider-Man‘s universe and his relevance to canon events in the upcoming film. It would also be a great opportunity for Lego Spider-Man’s voice actor, Nic Novicki, to show his voice acting talents in an expanded role. There’s also the idea that the Lego universe in Across The Spider-Verse could be the same world featured in The LEGO Movie.
With the continuing success of Across The Spider-Verse at the box office, the possibilities of other art styles the filmmakers can use in Beyond The Spider-Verse to portray more universes are endless. I have no doubt the filmmakers will continue to deliver immersive animation in next year’s sequel.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now playing exclusively in theatres.
About Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Release date: June 2, 2023 (USA)
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers
Written by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, David Callaham
Producers: Avie Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher MIller, Christina Steinberg
Production: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Marvel Entertainment, Arad Productions, Lord Miller Productions, Pascal Pictures
Distribution: Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, Sony Pictures Releasing
Runtime: 140 minutes / 2hr 20min
Post Credits: None (leave so they can clean the theater)
Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya, Oscar Isaac
Synopsis
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
What’re thoughts on Lego Spider-Man and his universe’s appearance in Across The Spider-Verse? What’s your favorite universe that was visited in the film? What other animation styles do you want to see in Beyond The Spider-Verse? You can let the Illuminerdi know on our Twitter.
Source: Comic Book Movie
