Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Is The Franchise’s Empire Strikes Back, Writer Says

There might not be a sequel more revered than Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. So with that in mind, it’s possibly unsurprising that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse writer and producer Chris Miller is slinging that comparison out into our universe.

Speaking with Empire Magazine, Miller explained how Across the Spider-Verse is similar to Empire. “People who’ve seen Across… have told us that it feels like The Empire Strikes Back of the Spider-Verse franchise,” Miller said. “It shows you worlds you haven’t seen, and it’s an emotional story that ends in a place where you need to see the third one. So, yeah: This is our Empire.”

Across the Spider-Verse will be followed by Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse on March 29, 2024. Originally, the two films were titled with the Across name but denoted Part 1 and Part 2.

The sequel will see Miles meeting back up with Gwen, who watches over the Multiverse with other Spider-People. She will lead Miles into at least five different universes with 240 characters in Across the Spider-Verse.

According to Miles voice actor Shameik Moore, Miles is older but also “missing his friends.” Moore added: “He’s growing in skill, but he wants more of a challenge.” Miles will probably find that going up against Spider-Man 2099 (voiced by Oscar Isaac) and The Vulture (voiced by Jorma Taccone).

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set to premiere June 2.