Sophia Michaels
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is shaping up to be one of the biggest movies of the year. The film, which hit theaters on June 2, grossed $120.5 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, putting it just behind “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which debuted with $146 million. Besides its animation, story, and representation, “Across the Spider-Verse” will be remembered for pushing the boundaries of the multiverse in Marvel films.
While “Spider-Man: No Way Home” brought three iconic live-action versions of the web-slinging superhero together, “Across the Spider-Verse” reportedly included over 250 versions of the beloved character — this time, both in animated and live-action form. Seeing so many Spider-People in one movie was definitely exciting, but perhaps the biggest crowd-cheering moment of all was when Donald Glover’s version of the Prowler came on screen. Here’s why.
What Is Donald Glover’s Connection to the “Spider-Man” Franchise?
Glover actually has a long history with “Spider-Man.” According to Vulture, Before Andrew Garfield was cast as the titular character in Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” fans launched an online campaign called #Donald4SpiderMan in hopes that Glover would get the role. The campaign went so viral that it caught the attention of Stan Lee, the cocreator of Spider-Man. “He’s a great actor. I’ve seen him, and he’s terrific,” Lee told MTV in June 2010 about Glover. “I certainly think he should have a chance to audition [for the role of Spider-Man].”
Although Glover didn’t get the part, he did influence Miles. In September 2010, Glover referenced the viral campaign in “Community” by having his character, Troy Barnes, wear Spider-Man pajamas. In a 2011 interview with USA Today, writer Brian Michael Bendis confirmed the moment inspired him and artist Sara Pichelli to create Miles for the “Ultimate Fallout” comics. “He looked fantastic!” Bendis said of Glover. “I saw him in the costume and thought, ‘I would like to read that book.'”
Glover then went on to voice Miles in the 2014 animated “Ultimate Spider-Man” series before appearing as Miles’s uncle Aaron Davis in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” In “Across the Spider-Verse,” Glover made a cameo as Davis’s villainous alter ego, The Prowler. Whether that version of Davis is the same one from “Homecoming” is unclear, but considering “Spider-Man” producer Amy Pascal just confirmed a live-action Miles movie is coming, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think Glover may return as Davis again in the future.
Will Donald Glover Be the Prowler In “Spider-Man 4”?
Pascal confirmed to Variety that a fourth “Spider-Man” film starring Tom Holland and Zendaya is in development; however, due to the Writers Guild of America strike, it’s been temporarily put on hold. “Are we going to make another movie? Of course, we are,” Pascal told the publication on May 31. “We’re in the process, but the writers strike, nobody is working during the strike. We’re all being supporters and whenever they get themselves together, we’ll get started.”
No other details about the film’s cast or plot have been revealed yet, but since it’s been confirmed Miles will make his live-action debut soon, it’s possible his character may be introduced in “Spider-Man 4,” leading Glover to return as Davis (and maybe even the Prowler) as well. After all, Holland previously teased that he may be ready to pass on the mantle.
“Maybe it is time for me to move on. Maybe what’s best for ‘Spider-Man’ is that they do a Miles Morales film,” he told GQ in November 2021. Holland has since been confirmed to return for another “Spider-Man” trilogy, but he’s still open to incorporating Miles in his films. “I would be honored to bring Miles Morales into the live-action world,” he said in a June 6 interview with Inverse. “How we do that, I don’t know, but given the opportunity, I would jump at it.”
Whether Glover appears in “Spider-Man 4” or not, his love for the films is a clear indicator that he’s not ready to say goodbye to the franchise anytime soon.
