Summary
Spider-Man 2099's presence has underwent a substantial augmentation within Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, leaving enthusiasts awe-inspired by his revamped appearance that exudes a more formidable and commanding aura.
Fans are now appreciating the design changes of the character's original comic book-accurate appearance in the first Spider-Verse movie, which had been forgotten because of his minor role.
Spider-Man 2099's design was altered in the sequel, possibly because of his enhanced significance and the creative team's intention to portray him as the commanding figure of the Spider Society, with a new and intimidating look.
Spider-Man enthusiasts are amazed by the significant transformation of Spider-Man 2099 between the original Spider-Verse movie and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Oscar Isaac made his debut as Miguel O'Hara, also known as Spider-Man 2099, in the post-credits scene of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. While the character had a minor comedic role in that film, the sequel starring Miles Morales showcased Miguel in a prominent position, with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse revealing that Spider-Man 2099 is the leader of the multiversal Spider Society.
In addition to his increased significance in the sequel, Spider-Man 2099 underwent a redesign that elevated his character portrayal from a faithful depiction in the comic books to a formidable powerhouse. In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Miguel appears incredibly intimidating due to his imposing stature. As there were five years between the two Spider-Verse movies and Miguel had only played a small role in the original film, fans had forgotten about his original appearance and were consequently impressed upon rediscovering the design changes. Take a look at some of the reactions below:
@Shots_SpiderMan initiated the discussion by sharing Spider-Man 2099's two Spider-Verse designs.
@miles_e1610 expressed appreciation for the Spider-Verse rendition of Miguel's original comic book outfit, while also commending the new suit as a valuable addition.
@NobodyOfHarambe echoes the sentiment that the new design is amazing.
@KEVOSPACEBOUND2 thinks Spider-Man 2099's new design is cooler than the original.
@_fishmann noticed the inclusion of a superior timepiece in the new design, perfect for traversing the Spider-Verse.
@3rsa__ appreciates the enhanced muscular appearance of Spider-Man 2099 in the sequel, despite their preference for his original emblem.
@Amazingspiral88 humorously notes that instead of dwelling on losing his daughter, Miguel's initial reaction was to hit the gym.
@probablykie1782 playfully references the scene in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, suggesting that Miguel trained to master the Spider-Man pointing meme more emphatically.
Why Spider-Man 2099's Design Changed Between Spider-Verse Movies
Miguel O'Hara's appearance in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse differs significantly from the original movie, but the exact reason for this change is still unclear. One plausible explanation is that the first movie opted for Spider-Man 2099's classic comic book design for a brief scene, and then the Spider-Verse team decided to redesign the character when he had a larger role in the sequel.
Concept artist Hethe Srodawa revealed that there were unused designs for Miguel in the Spider-Verse sequel, which portrayed him with a slimmer physique, similar to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This suggests that the decision to change Miguel's appearance was made early on in the creative process. It is likely that the Spider-Verse team believed a fresh interpretation was necessary for the character, especially since Miguel plays a more intimidating role as the leader of the Spider Society and acts as an antagonist to Miles in the sequel.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse character designer Kris Anka spent around 15 months developing Miguel's new design for the movie. The evolution of Spider-Man 2099's design, transitioning from a slimmer to a bulkier version, was a work in progress that aligned with the character's story in the new film. Ultimately, fans have embraced Spider-Man 2099's new design in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.