Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the highly-anticipated sequel to 2018's beloved animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, has already teased a substantial amount of big names for its roster of actors. But there's one hype-worthy character whose voice will remain a secret until the higher-ups deem the time right, to the point where everyone involved has been sworn to silence on the matter.
When the latest Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse trailer premiered, it set the internet abuzz with its plethora of Spider-based heroes filling the screen at any moment. However brief, every fan-favorite version of Spider-Man will seemingly get their time in the spotlight, including one particular iteration called Scarlet Spider. However, while most other prominent characters have been slowly seeing new info about them, including their voice actors, Scarlet Spider is being played closer to the chest. Apparently, there's a reason for that.
In a recent interview with Total Film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse director Joaquim Dos Santos explained what's happening with Scarlet Spider. "I can't wait for people to hear who voices him," he said excitedly. "It still hasn't been released, but I love our Scarlet Spider actor." This seemingly means the actor behind the character will be as much of a treat as the various Spider-heroes themselves. The idea of an actor who will be as exciting an addition as the possibility of Tom Holland's Spider-Man joining the Spider-Verse is enticing.
"Not even the actors know!" Dos Santos continued. "Everyone is sworn to secrecy, and they record alone, so most of them are discovering with the public who is in the film they've been making. Their reactions have been pretty hilarious." So not even someone like Daniel Kaluuya, who plays Spider-Punk, has any idea who's behind Scarlet Spider. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse features Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) launching through the Multiverse teased in the previous film, encountering countless other Spider-People and eventually clashing against many of them while trying to defeat a new threat. But how does Scarlet Spider play into all this?
Unlike completely separate heroes like the intentionally flawed Spider-Man 2099, Scarlet Spider shares a connection with the original Spider-Man. In the comics, Scarlet Spider is a clone of Peter Parker who takes the name Ben Reilly, inspired by the names of Peter's aunt and uncle. This could suggest that the character will be played by a popular Spider-Man actor from the past, such as Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield. But given the secrecy, it could be even more of a deep cut.
It wouldn't be all that farfetched for Scarlet Spider to be voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, who plays the Peter Parker version of the titular hero in the PlayStation Spider-Man games. But given how the PlayStation Spider-Man was spotted in the Across the Spider-Verse trailer, maybe he's already on board as that character. Fans and the actors will share the excitement when they discover the secret of the Scarlet Spider together.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will release in theaters on June 2nd, 2023.
Source: Total Film (via ComicBook.com)