While the first Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse trailer features a multitude of new Spider heroes and variants from several different dimensions, there are some key Spider heroes who seem to be missing. In the trailer, Mile Morales (Shameik Moore) promises his mom that he'll take care of himself before he's seen fighting several different Spiders on his own, most notably battling with Spider-Man 2099 (voiced by Oscar Isaac). While Miles does have some friends, three heroes in particular are nowhere to be seen.
In the new trailer for Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Ham (John Mulaney) and Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage) are noticeably missing along with Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) and her Spider-Bot SP//dr. Unfortunately, the trailer doesn't hint where they might be during Miles' first adventure leaving his home universe, despite viewers potentially expecting a fun reunion after they all parted ways. Here are the potential reasons for the original Spiders' absences.
Across The Spider-Verse Is Missing Some Into The Spider-Verse Variants
As it stands, the only confirmed Spider heroes Miles will know before traversing the greater Spider-Verse are Ghost Spider/Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson). Both Spiders were the first variants Miles met in Into the Spider-Verse. Because Spider-Gwen is Miles' primary love interest and Peter B. served as his primary mentor, it follows that both are returning for the next chapter.
However, it's unclear why Noir, Ham, Peni, and SP//Dr are missing. They were just as instrumental in helping Miles Morales become his own Spider-Man in the first film, so it would certainly be a shame if there isn't a reason for their absence, especially if it's revealed they aren't in the film at all. The best outcome is that they're missing from this first trailer so as not to spoil Across the Spider-Verse's plot.
Why Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Ham & SP//dr May Be Missing
One of the biggest mysteries from the new Across the Spider-Verse trailer is why Miles is evading an army of Spider variants and brawling with Spider-Man 2099. It certainly seems whatever he's planning could have disastrous consequences or great risk. A key moment is when Spider-Gwen says that they (the Spiders) are supposed to be the good guys with Spider-Man 2099 countering that they are, teasing that there will be some serious tensions that will lead to Miles and his friends butting heads with the other variants. This could potentially tie into the missing Spiders from the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
It should be noted that the villain known as The Spot (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) has already been confirmed as the main antagonist for Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. In the comics, The Spot can travel the multiverse using his powers over dark matter. As such, his actions could cause the collapse of the entire Spider-Verse with realities being destroyed in his wake. This could be why Spider-Ham, Noir, and Peni are missing, potentially at risk of being erased from existence. If an attempt to save them could threaten the stability of the rest of the Spider-Verse, it would make sense why 2099 and the other Spiders might try and stop Miles from helping his missing friends.
Across The Spider-Verse Has A LOT Of New Variants To Replace Those Missing
If it turns out that the Spiders missing from the trailer aren't being saved for later, it's also possible that there simply might have been scheduling issues with the actors, and they just weren't able to return. It also stands to reason that in the face of so many new Spiders there was a desire from writer-producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller to focus on new faces to not overcrowd the plot more than necessary for the new Spider-Verse film, having only so much time. It's understandable if not everybody could be fit in.
Whatever the reason ends up being for Spider-Ham, Noir, and Peni Parker's absences from this first trailer, there will certainly be plenty of new Spider variants from all over the Spider-Verse to make up for it. That being said, it would be nice to have a reason one way or the other. Additionally, with so many Spider variants being set up to fight Miles Morales, it makes a certain amount of sense to limit his allies, raising the stakes even higher when Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse releases on June 2nd.
