While the Into The Spider-Verse movie has been out for quite a long time, there's still plenty to be taken from it. It was an absolute hit and manage to open up a lot of eyes as to what is possible in animation.
While there are many lessons to be learnt within that medium, there's also a lot to take away from the storytelling that can be applied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here are 10 things that the MCU can learn from this Oscar-winning movie.
10 The Multiverse
The multiverse is a concept that is starting to be brought into the MCU, but the Spider-Verse version really nailed the concept. In fact, the film even had different animation styles for the different realities.
This is exactly how the multiverse should be presented, with each one showing off distinct traits that set them apart. It's going to help the universe expand in the long run.
9 Embracing The Source Material
The source material can sometimes be ignored in the MCU, but this film managed to use it in a unique way. It played off of many of the ideas, embracing the colorful nature of the comics.
It also included many character details and ran with them, with the relationship between Miles and his uncle in particular becoming a large part of the narrative.
8 Changing The Characters
Despite the desire to stick to the comics, changes can be made when it makes the characters feel fresh and innovative. A fantastic example of this is by changing the gender of Doc Ock.
This shift gave fans a new character to explore and a genuinely surprising moment in the cinema. It was a bold approach to redesign the character since the original is so famous, but it turned the idea on its head for the better.
7 Miles Morales
Miles Morales is an excellent character and one that has grabbed the attention of audiences extremely quickly. He is completely different to Peter Parker and could end up being the future of the MCU.
Miles is a fresh take on the hero and while he isn't the perfect Spider-Man to start, there's a fascinating development that takes place. The MCU really needs to add their own Miles to the roster.
6 Wacky Alternates
When looking at the multiverse and even the development of characters, it's great to look at ways to alternate the type of hero that audiences are used to seeing.
Into The Spider-Verse proved that audiences can really buy anything if put in the right context. While the MCU has Howard the Duck, they could in the future add someone like Peter Porker or maybe even Frog Thor.
5 Quick Origin Stories
The origin story has been quite overdone at this stage of the game, and Spider-Verse managed to get through a lot of them with a simple gag; the use of comic books within the story itself.
Even the use of Miles' origins was intertwined with other characters so quickly that it was fun to see him go on this journey. It's a lesson Marvel needs to learn when launching their next new character.
4 Comic-Accurate Villains
The MCU definitely has a bad guy problem. In the films, the villains seem to be dulled down, as if they wouldn't be taken seriously if they felt like the comics.
However, Spider-Verse showed viewers that the villains could be costumed and quirky and yes, still be entirely menacing. The costumed Prowler was one of the most ominous figures of the whole film.
3 Stylized Take
The use of animation allowed the artists to create a more stylized version of these characters. This can also happen in live-action although it hasn't been present in superhero films for a while.
The MCU can move towards this again to give certain heroes a completely different feel. Characters like Spider-Man, Ant-Man, the Wasp and Thor could all benefit from this lesson.
2 Pushing The Boundaries Of The Industry
The boundaries of the industry were broken with this unique take on animation. Of course, the MCU isn't using animation in this way, but it can certainly push the boundaries of the industry through larger creative choices. They have demonstrated that they are capable of doing this with teams like Guardians of the Galaxy.
1 Genuine Deaths
The film had a few moments of tension and emotional heartbreak, but none more so than the death of Miles' uncle. This was a big moment for the film and it felt like a genuine death in their lives.
Although the deaths of Iron Man and Black Widow are the exception to the rule, often deaths feel meaningless in the MCU; they're brushed aside quickly or only happen in big tentpole films. The emotional stakes need to be raised further.