Miles Morales returns in the new animated short The Spider Within . Will fighting panic attacks be harder than fighting a super villain? We’ll find out on June 2, exclusively at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
We are only a few months away from the debut of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , the sequel to the ambitious and Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse . Now that viewers have gotten acquainted with the filmic story of Miles Morales, there is definitely a lot of hype around this sequel. On Wednesday, Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks announced (via Variety ) The Spider Within, a short film set in the Spider-Verse universe. It will premiere exclusively at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June. The film was made thanks to LENS (Leading and Empowering New Storytellers).
In The Spider Within, Miles Morales tries to juggle the responsibilities of teenager, friend, and student while acting as a friendly Brooklyn neighborhood superhero. After a particularly difficult day of living with so much pressure, Miles experiences a panic attack that forces him to face his symptoms of anxiety. It is possible that asking for help can be as brave an act as defending the city from evil.
We feel honored and privileged to have been given the opportunity to give shape to the inaugural launch of the LENS programme. We are incredibly proud that the hard work of all four filmmakers – Jarelle Dampier, Khaila Amazan, Clara Chan and Joe Darko – has paid off. They exceeded all expectations, taking on the roles of leaders, creating an extraordinary short film. We are so grateful to be part of a studio that is doing significant work to give a voice to the various groups and studio executives – Kristine Belson, Michelle Grady, Pam Marsden and Paul Martin – who started this program and have supported us every step of the way.
Kouyate and Schulenburg wrote in a statement
The LENS program changed the lives of all of us – it allowed us to achieve a goal that we thought was very far away. Diverse representation in leadership roles really makes a difference because it shows the next generation of filmmakers that barriers can be broken down. Animation is the most collaborative art form of all that has a special place to open its doors and foster the creativity of those who have the potential to tell great stories but have not been given the chance to shine. We are so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to create something meaningful and we can’t wait to share it with the world.
added LENS creators Jarelle Dampier, Khaila Amazan, Clara Chan and Joe Darko
What will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse be about ?
In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) embarks on an adventure through the multiverse with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-Men who must face a powerful villain. Also returning from the first film are Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 and Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker/Spider-Man. Issa Rae also joined the cast as Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman. Across the Spider-Verse is directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson from a screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse premieres on June 2.