The sequel to Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has been hugely anticipated since the film released to critical acclaim in 2018. Fortunately, patient fans waiting for Miles Morales’ return were recently rewarded with a first look into the Spider-Verse sequel. Not only is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse slated to arrive in 2022, but it’s actually only the first part of a continuing adventure for Miles, Gwen Stacy and Miguel O'Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099, who was teased in Spider-Verse’s end credits scene.
Spider-Verse co-writer Christopher Miller confirmed that Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld and Oscar Isaac were reprising their roles as the respective Spider-People, and added that the trio would be joined by "a bunch of old friends... and many new ones." With so much of the film already shrouded in secrecy -- including the antagonist Miles and co. will be facing -- fans are combing through the new teaser with razor focus, and some may have found a clue or two that points to one specific Spider-Man: Pavitr Prabhaker.
Who Is Spider-Man India?
Pavitr Prabhaker, like Miles, Gwen and Miguel, is a variation of Spider-Man that hails from a different universe. In Pavitr’s case, it’s Earth-50101, which was first introduced in Spider-Man: India in 2004. After moving to Mumbai with his aunt and uncle, Pavitr inherits his spider-like powers from an ancient shaman, and though his origins closely mirror that of Peter Parker’s, Pavitr has an arc all his own.
Pavitr scarcely gets the hang of his newfound powers and responsibilities before stumbling into the multiverse. When the Inheritors -- a supernatural clan from Earth-001 -- begin hunting human-spider hybrids, Pavitr is nearly killed. He’s fortunately saved by The Superior Spider-Man, Otto Octavius of Earth-616. Pavitr joins Octavius and his team of other Spider-People to defeat the Inheritors and later is recruited by the Web-Warriors to fight other multiversal threats.
Will Pavitr Prabhaker Appear in Miles’ Spider-Verse?
Across the Spider-Verse introduces a number of unexplored dimensions in quick succession. The teaser picks up precisely where its predecessor left things, with Gwen Stacy paying Miles an unexpected visit, and inadvertently putting him on a collision course with Spider-Man 2099. Before he is accosted by Spider-Man ’99, Miles finds himself tumbling through a multi-level metropolis. In this universe, most street signs are written in Hindi and Tamil, and the impact sounds -- onomatopoeias like “blam!” and “crash!” -- appear in Hindi as well. Miles also swing-falls past a sign that reads “Mumbattan,” and while the phrase has never appeared in any iteration of Spider-Man before, it's possible this is a portmanteau for Mumbai and Manhattan, which could easily be the new home of Pavitr.
And just as Miles gets his bearings in this new dimension, Spider-Man 2099 bursts into frame from his own portal, half-leading, half-fighting with Miles into another universe. Their inter-dimensional scuffle flies by fast, but some eagle-eyed fans have caught a glimpse of the word “Earth-50101” on Miguel’s portal-creating watch. This all but confirms Mumbhattan as Pavitr’s new world, though it’s still not clear whether the Indian Spider-Man will appear in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Part One.
It’s possible that Pravitr’s universe is simply an Easter egg, one that Miguel and Miles quickly swing through -- or even a tease for Spider-Verse, Part Two. However, with Miller teasing Miles’ “many new friends,” and with all those alternate Spidey insignias that Spider-Verse teased last year via Twitter, Pravitr could easily be one of 17 possible new heroes joining Sony’s multiverse. Fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for more confirmation down the line, but all signs point to a big-screen debut for the Indian Spider-Man.
To see if Pavitr Prabhaker makes his big screen debut, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) is currently set to arrive in theaters on Oct. 7, 2022.