In the latest trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, director Kemp Powers sheds light on an unexpected Easter egg tied to Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The revelation took fans by surprise as Oscar Isaac’s Miguel O’Hara mentions the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, referring to “Doctor Strange and the little nerd back on Earth-199999.” Speculation arose about the potential appearance of Tom Holland’s web-slinger in the sequel.

The Meta Approach: Spider-Verse 2 Acknowledges Spider-Man’s History

In an interview with SFX, director Kemp Powers discusses the MCU connections in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and the significance of Miguel O’Hara’s line about the “little nerd in Earth-199999.” Powers clarifies that the world of Miles Morales and Spider-Verse is not directly linked to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the reference to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man serves as a meta element, acknowledging the rich history of the Spider-Man character. Powers explains, “That’s the best way to explain it. It’s a Lord and Miller film. We like to have a little bit of fun, we like to be a little bit meta and to acknowledge the world in which we are creating these stories.”

Furthermore, Powers assures that the inclusion of the “little nerd” reference does not involve collaboration with Marvel. He emphasizes the abundance of material available in Miles’s universe, hinting at numerous gags in store for the audience. While Spider-Verse 2 maintains a serious tone, it also promises to be a film filled with enjoyable moments.

The Possibilities Ahead: MCU Connections And Surprises In Spider-Verse 2

Writers Christopher Lord and Phil Miller previously teased the connections between Spider-Verse 2 and the MCU Multiverse. Miller suggests that “the Multiverse is big and wider,” while Lord sarcastically dismisses the idea that certain elements are off-limits. The filmmakers have been aware of the events in No Way Home, working closely with Amy Pascal, the producer of both Spider-Verse and the live-action Spider-Man films. They aim to tell original stories that feel fresh and distinctive, while ensuring they do not overlap with other narratives.

While it remains uncertain if Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will appear in Spider-Verse 2, Kemp Powers’ comments suggest there may be more surprises in store. Whether it involves live-action appearances from other Spider-Men or references to other MCU properties like Loki or Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the possibilities are endless for a film centered on the Multiverse like Across the Spider-Verse.

The international trailer for Spider-Verse 2 already referenced the MCU’s Spider-Man, as well as Andrew Garfield’s and Tobey Maguire’s respective versions. Producer Amy Pascal even hinted at Tom Holland’s potential appearance, stating that he “loves these [Spider-Verse] movies.” With the established existence of multiple Spider-Men across the Multiverse, the addition of the MCU’s web-slinger would only enhance the sequel.