The Creative Genius Behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's LEGO Scene

The Young Animator Who Made an Impact

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse featured many different universes, and one of the variants of Spider-Man that appeared in the Marvel movie was the Peter Parker of a LEGO world. This sequence was reminiscent of a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse LEGO fan trailer, and for good reason.

Spider-Man Lego and Spider-Man 2099 as seen in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Speaking with Total Film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse co-director Joaquim Dos Santos talked about the process behind hiring 14-year-old animator Preston Mutanga, who had made the LEGO version of the film's trailer, for the movie's LEGO scene. According to Santos, producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller brought up the popular fan trailer but then asked if hiring the 14-year-old animator was even legal when the movie's directors decided to get Mutanga to work on the movie's LEGO sequence. While he did not believe the offer was real at first, Mutanga eventually joined the movie, and one of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's variants was born.

The Perfect Fit for the Movie

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was all about introducing Miles Morales and the concept of different universes and Spider-Man variants to a large audience. After the original movie perfectly handled all that setup, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was able to expand on the concepts. This time around, Miles was visiting other universes instead of receiving visitors on his own, and through the multiversal Spider Society team, the movie presented several exciting characters and universes.

The LEGO Spider-Man sequence allowed the team behind the movie to add a distinct universe with its own sense of identity to the film, and one that many fans would instantly recognize, given LEGO's popularity. The Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse LEGO scene was perfectly handled by the 14-year-old Mutanga and all involved. Not only did it look fantastic, with vibrant colors and many moving parts, but the decision to have Spider-Man 2099 call the LEGO Peter Parker one of the Spider Society's best heroes led to one of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's funniest moments.

The Impact and Legacy

The LEGO sequence in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was a significant addition to the movie, expanding the multiverse concept and bringing a fresh, recognizable element to the franchise. It not only showcased the creativity of the filmmakers and the young animator but also emphasized the inclusive nature of the Spider-Verse.

The collaboration between industry professionals and a talented teenager exemplifies the power of creative partnerships and the willingness to embrace new voices in the filmmaking process. This unique collaboration has set a precedent for future animated projects, showcasing the potential for innovation and diversity in storytelling.