Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse wasn’t guaranteed to become a breakout hit, but its success will lead to two sequels within the next two years. The first sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is just under three months away, and the subject of a cover story in this month’s Empire. And within the issue, Across the Spider-Verse co-writer and executive producer, Chris Miller, couldn’t resist comparing the stakes of the sequel to another famous trilogy.
“People who’ve seen [Across the Spider-Verse] have told us that it feels like The Empire Strikes Back of the Spider-Verse franchise,” said Miller. “It shows you worlds you haven’t seen, and it’s an emotional story that ends in a place where you need to see the third one. So, yeah: this is our Empire.”
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The Empire Strikes Back comparison has become pretty common in the 43 years since its initial release. That film’s major reveals and cliffhanger ending also leave a lot to live up to. Regardless, co-director Kemp Powers stressed that Miles Morales’ adventure starts from a very personal place: A desire to see his multiversal friends again.
“Miles thought he’d never see his friends again,” noted Powers. “But in this sequel he reconnects with Gwen, and discovers she’s part of a group of Spider-People whose mission is to protect the Multiverse. From there, he ends up on this adventure to different worlds.”
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will hit theaters on Friday, June 2. The third film, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, will arrive on March 29, 2024.
Do you think that Across the Spider-Verse will live up to The Empire Strikes Back comparison? Let us know in the comment section below!
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