Sony's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has the perfect opportunity to fix two longstanding animated injustices and learn from Spider-Man: No Way Home. Part one of the exciting sequel to Into the Spider-Verse will swing onto screens this year, as Miles Morales will be introduced to new spider-people like Oscar Isaac's Spider-Man 2099. Into the Spider-Verse managed to juggle several characters, so there will be an expectation that the new film will introduce even more Spider-variants, such as Takuya Yamashiro's Japanese Spider-Man. As a multiverse story, the film will have the unique opportunity to fix past injustices, just as No Way Home did with its inclusion of returning live-action Spider-Men.
Two beloved Spider-Man animated series that were cut short before their time were The Spectacular Spider-Man and the 1994 series known simply as Spider-Man. Both shows featured beloved interpretations of Peter Parker and his world. They served as many children's first introduction to iconic characters like The Green Goblin, Vulture, and Mary Jane Watson. Crucially, they also introduced familiar storylines that were iconic in the comic books, such as the Venom symbiote arc. These shows gave budding Marvel fans the knowledge of Spider-Man and his rogues gallery ahead of seeing them on the big screen in films like Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. Sadly, both series were canceled before they could conclude properly, devastating their fans and leaving key plot threads unresolved.
However, Across the Spider-Verse could use its multiverse-focused narrative to bring back the Peter Parkers of these universes and give them a more satisfying conclusion. As an animated movie, it would be in the perfect position to bring both the Spectacular and 90s' Peter Parkers into Miles' universe as part of his multiverse team. They wouldn't need to be the main focus, and they could function well as supporting characters, much like Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker, and Spider-Ham did in Into the Spider-Verse. However, the inclusion of the characters as well as their original voice actors, Christopher Daniel Barnes and Josh Keaton, would be more than just fan service: it would give these iconic characters a satisfying and appropriate ending in the way No Way Home successfully implemented Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire.
Across the Spider-Verse must learn from No Way Home to deliver a satisfying conclusion for these characters. Jon Watts' live-action film was able to bring back Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire as their versions of Spider-Man and redeem lingering issues. Maguire's Parker was redeemed after last appearing in the underwhelming Spider-Man 3 when Raimi was initially slated to direct Spider-Man 4 with Maguire once again in the lead role. Therefore, his appearance in No Way Home allowed his character to go out on a high note while also re-opening the door for future Raimi sequels. Equally, Garfield's Amazing Spider-Man 3 was canceled, and his character needed redemption after the audience reaction to both his films and his take on the character was originally mixed. Additionally, the character was also redeemed in-universe, as he saved MJ from falling after he failed to do so with Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
The 90s' Spider-Man saw his adventures cut short, and he never reconciled with Mary Jane after losing her to an alternate dimension during a confrontation with the Green Goblin. Bringing him back in a manner similar to Maguire's Parker would allow the filmmakers to confirm whether he was able to find her and settle down. Equally, the Spectacular Spider-Man was only getting started as Spidey when his series was cut. Across the Spider-Verse Part One could therefore bring him back, tie up loose ends, and set up a potential third season of the series, just as No Way Home has been rumored to lay the foundations for an Amazing Spider-Man 3.
When Miles Morales returns with Gwen Stacy and Miguel O'Hara this year, he should have two other Spider-Men with him. Across the Spider-Verse has the ability to redeem the Spectacular and 90s' Spider-Man shows, just as No Way Home did for the two live-action film series. The appearance of their Peter Parkers would appease those who were upset at the untimely cancelation of both shows, and a multiverse story is the perfect time to make it happen.
