A Spider-Verse of Spider-Men

Since Sony's acquisition of the Spider-Man film rights in the late 1990's, the studio has played it safe with the characters the studio has introduced in its movies. That is, until the hit animated film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” dropped into theaters during the 2018 holiday season. The Oscar-winning success of the first film unsurprisingly led to the green light for a sequel, and presumably, a new slew of Spidey people.

The first film introduced Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, Peter B. Parker, Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker, and Spider-Ham. There were also very brief appearances to Peter Parker Spider-Man from the Ultimate Universe, Spider-Man 2099, and the 1967 animated Spider-Man.

There has been little news for the upcoming 2022 release, but we do know that Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen will be leads in the sequel, as the film is touted to follow-up on their cross-dimensional love story. As teased in the end-credits scene, it seems safe to assume that Miguel O'Hara / Spider-Man 2099 is likely to be introduced to the team. Even when you include the supposed inclusion of the Japanese Spider-Man from the 1970s TV series and any other returning characters, Sony still has plenty of room to shake up the team and continue to introduce audiences to lesser known corners of the Spider-Man Universe.

Let's take a look at who Sony could (and should) introduce in the highly anticipated sequel.

The Likely Candidates

1. Spider-Punk: Illegal waste dumping leads to a radioactive spider which bites anti-corporate activist Hobie Brown. Now with spider powers, he rallies others to join his army against to overthrow the government and US President Norman Osborn. Other than to spread punk rock and anarchy, Spider-Punk has used his electric guitar to weaken the connection between the corrupt police and their weaponized symbiotes.

2. Silk: This is somewhat of a cheap pick since the rumors of an animated Silk spinoff film all but guarantees at least an appearance in Into the Spider-Verse 2. Cindy Moon was bitten by the same spider that bit Peter Parker...but she was kidnapped and locked in a bunker for about a decade. She also has a more advanced spider-sense, claws, and shares a chemically-based attraction with Peter.

3. Spider UK: Having played a major leadership role in the Spider-Verse comic event, William Braddock is no stranger to the tangled web of multiversal Spider-Men. He would not only add a taste of diversity that may be vacated by Peni Parker, but also a natural leader and a cool accent. Imagine the slew of British actors they could get to voice him.

4. Spider-Monkey: A monkey Peter Parker from a Universe of Apes. Easy enough to understand? Spider-Ham was a clear standout in the first Spider-verse movie and if he takes a backseat in the sequel, what better replacement than another animal-based arachnid? Plus, think of all the "monkeying around" jokes they could make.

5. Scarlet Spider: I don't think Sony will pull many characters from the main 616 Universe, but if I did, Scarlet Spider would be comfortably nestled at the top of my list. Ben Reilly is a clone of Peter Parker who was featured prominently in the famed (for better or for worse) original "Clone Saga" storyline. But none of that factors into my wish for him to be cast. He simply has my favorite, and the best, Spider-Man costume ever. Look at the hoodie!!! Super smooth

The Unlikely Outcasts

1. Superior Spider-Man: Dan Slott's "Superior Spider-Man" is the greatest Spider-Man story of the 2000s and it centers around a cancer-stricken Doctor Octopus swapping his consciousness with Spider-Man. He then leads Peter Parker's life and takes over as a superior version of Spider-Man. His backstory may perhaps be a tad too dark for the animated movie, but he is front and center the most interesting new Spider-Man in a long time.

2. Spider-Boy: A character from the Amalgam Universe, Peter Ross is conceptually a combination of Marvel's Spider-Man and DC's Superboy. While the likelihood of DC's interference is high, Spider-Boy did make a cameo appearance during them the 2015 Spider-Verse event. If possible, he would bring a unique power-set to the group, as he can adjust his own gravitational force to give himself a variety of different abilities.

3. Six-Armed Spider-Man: Peter Parker tries to cure himself from his spider powers, but the chemical he consumes causes him to grow four extra arms. That's about it. He'd be cool to see. I really just want any six-armed Spider character, so if Sony wanted to look at Man-Spider or Doppleganger as a villain, I wouldn't complain.

4. Web Slinger: Peter Parker meets the Wild West in a rendition of our beloved Web-Head from the "Ultimate Spider-Man" animated series. Labeled as an outlaw, this cowboy fought against corrupt Sheriff Doc. Ock Holiday. Oh, did I mention he has Web-Pistols AND his horse wears a Spider-Man mask? I know, too cool.

5. Spyder-Knight: A Spider-Man so cool, he spells his name with a "y". Another period piece Spider-Man from the "Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon, this Peter Parker is an English Knight who is friends with the wizard Merlyn. He's a vigilante with a Robin Hood complex and a forearm gauntlet that houses a sword. Sounds like a great fit to me.

Honorable Mentions

MCU and PS4 Spider-Man: While I would never expect major roles, I would not be surprised to see cameos or Easter Eggs to Sony's other current Spider-Men. Who turns down free marketing?

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What new characters do you hope to see in Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse 2? Who do you hope returns?