Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the highly-anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In the sequel, Miles Morales, AKA Spider-Man, swings into a new adventure with Gwen Stacy, AKA Spider-Woman, across a multiverse brimming with a new team of Spider-People.
Earlier this month, actors Shameik Moore (Miles Morales), Hailee Steinfeld (Gwen Stacy), and Luna Lauren Vélez (Rio Morales, Miles’ mom) talked with MySA about the importance of diversity in film and what they think they would find if they crossed over into a superhero multiverse in real life.
Luna, what makes Rio Morales such a good Latina mom?
Luna: She is a strong, loving mother. She wants the best for her son and doesn't let him get away with anything. She knows what he's capable of. She wants him to realize his full potential. She's willing to help him realize it. She'll push him to make sure that he stays on the right path.
Shameik, did you feel closer to your character in this film since you played him before?
Shameik: I think, naturally, that probably happened. I think there are a lot of parallels in my heart and within Miles’ heart; how I'm speaking and how the energy comes out. I don't really change too much of myself. I follow direction, take notes, and I do what they ask. I think I got the role because they feel that Miles’ essence is being brought through. This time around, it's been nice to embrace my mask; to own it [and] know my strengths, weaknesses, and curiosities. Miles is a part of me.
Luna, much of the conversation these days in Hollywood has been about the importance of representation. As a Latina, who's been in the industry for 30 years, have you seen a change yourself?
Luna: You know, I feel like that momentum is starting. I'd love to see more momentum. I feel like we're getting there. We're slowly chugging along. I do think that having a Puerto Rican woman as the mother of Spider-Man is really huge because it's reaching such a broad audience. I think seeing the shape of this family – what they look like and what they sound like – is really going to go a long way in terms of Latino representation.
Hailee, if the multiverse existed in real life and you stepped into it, what version of yourself do you think you’d find?
Hailee: Wow, I would like to think and I would hope she would look like Spider Gwen, and be as daring and as bold and as ambitious as her. I would imagine she would be the greatest version of myself – everything I want to be and more.
What about you, Luna?
Luna: I love Hailee’s answer. I mean, I’d like to find the greatest version [of myself]. Also, someone who has the ability to just communicate with every dimension, every culture, and every multiverse.
Shameik, what do you think you’d find?
If I met a version of myself that was better than me, I don't know what that would do to me. I would be inspired. I'm a competitive person, so maybe I’d be competitive with myself. Maybe that's what I need. He's probably on an entirely different level. I see him in my head. I'm sure he exists. Maybe we’ll see – one day.