Sony’s Miles Morales-lead Spider-Man franchise is expanding after the massive box office and critical success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Also, the executives previously teased live-action movies based on the animated franchise.
Certainly, it would be massive with an ensemble cast and several variants of Spidey slinging their webs but for Jake Johnson to play the live-action Spider-Verse, he would never want to compromise one condition at any cost.
Also read: Live-Action Elements Explained: Across The Spider-Verse
Peter Parker Actor Has One Condition For Spider-Verse Live-action
Peter B. Parker actor Jake Johnson expressed his concern for a live-action Spider-Verse film while stating one condition for his live-action return. Speaking with comicbook.com, the actor revealed that unless Spider-Verse filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller join the project, he will not return.
“I really love how it is. I think the animation is great. I think for me, truthfully, it’s all about Phil Lord and Chris Miller. If Phil Lord or Chris texted and said, ‘We think this is really cool and we would like you to be part of it,’ then I’m in. If it’s Sony that says they have got a really fun idea and it’s a new director who’s at a great studio rate, I feel less excited about that. I think that a lot of this stuff is … There’s an element that’s just money to make money, and projects just to make money. And then there’s a few people who really care, and those people who really care, if it’s them, I’m on board for anything,” Johnson revealed.
He went on to add, “If Phil says, ‘Hey, man, you’re not going to like this, but we’re going to put you in tights in front of a green screen,’ but it’s him and it’s Chris,” he said. “I’m like, ‘The project’s going to be so thoughtful and good and mean so much to so many people, and if you think I could help that, f-ck yes, I’m in.’” For many fans, Johnson made a fair demand and applauded the actor.
Also read: Sony’s ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Breaks Rare Record DC and Marvel Can Only Dream of
Fans Reacted To Jake Johnson’s Demand to His Live-Action Spider-Verse Return
Johnson further revealed his personal interest in a live-action Spider-Verse film and it is not so promising. “In terms of me individually having a desire, I don’t,” Johnson told comicbook.com. However, he loved voicing his character in the animated franchise. “I love Peter B. Parker as … I will say this: I would be so sad if I got a call that Peter B. Parker is not returning to the Spider-Verse, because I feel really attached to that character,” he continued.
“And Phil and I will go out, or we’ll text a lot, and I’m always pitching on Peter B., and I’m trying to fight to honor him. I want to make sure … He’s funny, but he’s our Spider-Man. He means something and we always go back, and he means a lot to me as a character. I love playing him. So anything outside of that, I don’t give it much thought.”
Now, fans have reacted to the actor’s subtle demand.
Jake gets it
— Jack Morriss 🏴 (@JMorriss96) January 5, 2024
Jake Johnson is cooking
— Ryan O’Connell🇮🇪 (@DominantCub72) January 5, 2024
It’s so funny how real and right he is
— Spideraty 15 (@spideraty) January 5, 2024
Makes sense.
— Edwin Chris Verde 🇭🇳 (@ascends_ecv) January 5, 2024
Yeah, Sony don’t know what they’re doing with Spider-Man unless Marvel is directly involved… Spider-Verse is the one exception.
— ⚡Craig Penfold 🦄🏴🇪🇺🩷💜💙 (@CraigUntlNytTym) January 5, 2024
Adding another installment to the franchise, Sony slated Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse for a 2025 release. As for Johnson, he is busy promoting his feature Self Reliance, a comedy thriller film written, directed by, and starring Johnson in the title role. Self Reliance is available to stream on Hulu.
