Spider-Verse Sequel Adds Kemp Powers and Justin K Thompson As Directors

Sony Pictures Animation's Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was a ground-breaking, game-changing movie that probably generated more excitement than any other animated feature in recent memory. The end of the movie set up a sequel, and considering the film's reception it was no surprise to see a sequel quickly greenlit.

The first film was such an instant classic, it was a little disconcerting to see that the majority of the top-level creative team would not be reprsing their roles. Peter Ramsey,  Bob Persichetti and Rodeny Rothman would not be returning to direct, and Rothman was also out as original screenwritter (with producer Phil Lord).

Avatar The Last Airbender director, Voltron Legendary Defender creator and veteran storyboard artist Joaquim Dos Santos was announced as the new director. Dave Callahan (screenwriter Wonder Woman 1984 and 2021's Shangi-Chi and Mortal Kombat) was signed on to pen the script.

Now it has been revaled that Dos Santos will not be occupying the director's chair alone. The sequel will again have three directors (although we're sure Sony's budget will probably stretch to buying them a chair each). Joining Santos is Kemp Powers, fresh from his success as co-director and screenwriter of Pixar's Soul and Justin K Thompson. Thompson is the least well-known of the three, but he won an Annie for his work on Production Design in the first Spider-Verse movie. The film will be his directorial debut. Although Dos Santos was the first name to be announced, the three have been working together from the start of the project.

Left to Right: Dos Santos, Powers and Thompson

 

Phil Lord and Chris Miller have also been added as credited screenwriters for the sequel alongside Callahan, and the pair will also produce. Amy Pascal and Avi Arad, both veterans of the live-action Spider-Man franchise are also returning as producers, as is Christina Steinberg. Peter Ramsey is on board as Executive-Producer with Aditya Sood.

The currently untitled sequel is due to open in October of 2022. The plot is currently unknown, but the film is thought to further develop the relationship between Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy and Lord and Miller have promised lots of new spider-people will feature. The duo also signed on with Sony to oversee TV projects based on "Sony's Universe of Marvel characters".

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