Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the highly anticipated sequel that follows the adventures of Miles Morales, the young and upcoming hero. In this new installment, Miles teams up with Gwen Stacy and discovers an entire group of Spider-People called the Spider-Society. While the film features numerous animated and even live-action Spider-Man cameos, one notable absence is Tom Holland’s portrayal of the MCU’s Spider-Man.
This absence may seem odd, especially considering the inclusion of other live-action Spideys like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. However, there are plausible reasons behind this omission. Firstly, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is currently dealing with the aftermath of the events in Spider-Man: No Way Home, where he made the decision to have the world forget his true identity. This choice sets him apart from the other Spider-Men and could be part of a larger plan for Sony’s Spider-Verse franchise.
The absence of Holland’s Spider-Man becomes particularly significant in Across the Spider-Verse because the film blurs the boundaries between live-action and animation. Donald Glover’s cameo as Aaron Davis, who becomes the Prowler, further highlights Holland’s absence. Davis’s presence confirms that the Spider-Society is aware of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While it’s reasonable to assume that Holland’s Spider-Man played a role in apprehending Davis, the ending of No Way Home raises questions about his current status. With the multiverse in flux and the memory of Peter Parker erased from the world, Holland’s Spider-Man might no longer be on the Spider-Society’s radar.
It’s worth noting that the Spider-Society may still remember the MCU’s Spider-Man, as the memory wipe only affects Peter Parker’s identity, not his alter ego as the Wall-Crawler. This leaves open the possibility that the story of the MCU’s Prowler’s capture has been altered in the Spider-Society’s collective memory.
This omission of Holland’s Spider-Man in Across the Spider-Verse could be part of a larger plan to surprise audiences in the upcoming film, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. The Spider-Society’s interest in discovering the identity of the MCU’s Spider-Man could pave the way for a significant cameo and potentially tie the different Spider-Verses together.
With the speculation surrounding the futures of Holland, Maguire, and Garfield’s Spider-Men since their collaboration in No Way Home, the exclusion of Holland’s Spider-Man from Across the Spider-Verse adds intrigue. It sets the stage for a major surprise appearance in Beyond the Spider-Verse and may shape the future of Holland’s Spider-Man within the franchise.
Overall, the absence of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in Across the Spider-Verse raises questions and fuels speculation about his role in the Spider-Verse franchise. It presents an opportunity for a thrilling cameo in the future and leaves fans eagerly anticipating the next installment.