Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will reference the Marvel Cinematic Universe's multiverse, if a new report is to be believed.
The report comes via reputable scooper Daniel Richtman. It claims that dialogue in Across the Spider-Verse will explicitly acknowledge the events of 2021 MCU installment Spider-Man: No Way Home, in which Tom Holland's webslinger unwittingly breaks down the barriers between the multiverse's various realities. Characters in Across the Spider-Verse will supposedly mention Doctor Strange's role in No Way Home as well, making the connection between the two films even more explicit. That said, Sony Pictures Animation is yet to publicly comment on Richtman's report, which means it should be taken with a grain of salt for now.
Speculation of potential overlap between Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and the MCU has intensified in recent months. One of the most notable rumors currently doing the rounds online claims that Holland will appear in Across the Spider-Verse. This rumor alleges that the animated sequel's protagonist Miles Morales will venture into a live-action universe at one point, encountering Holland's Spider-Man along the way. What's more, it attributes Across the Spider-Verse's delayed release date to contract negotiations between Sony and Holland. Holland is not officially attached to the production at this stage, however.
Across the Spider-Verse's Absent Voice Actors
The English actor isn't the only Spider-Man franchise veteran yet to join the Across the Spider-Verse cast, either. Voice actor Yuri Lowenthal recently confirmed that he hasn't been invited to reprise his lead role from 2018 PlayStation 4 game Marvel's Spider-Man, despite this incarnation of Spidey appearing in Across the Spider-Verse. Lowenthal added that he remained optimistic about being invited to join the production, although he admitted that his involvement is far from guaranteed. "There are many ways they could play that and one of those ways is, much like they showcased our suit in the background in the first film, you might just get to see him. I don't know. I hope," he said.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse star Nicolas Cage is in a similar boat, having recently revealed he wasn't asked to participate in the Oscar-winning flick's follow-up, either. Like Lowenthal, Cage refused to rule out the possibility he will return to Spider-Verse again, while also making it clear he was in the dark regarding Sony's plans for the franchise's future. "I don't know," he said. "I really don't. I wish they would [bring the character back]. I love Spider-Man Noir, too."
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swings into theaters on June 3, 2023.
Source: Twitter