Spider-Verse Directors Took Cues From STAR WARS After Test Audience Feedback

The highly anticipated sequel "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" faced some challenges before its final release. After test audience feedback indicated dissatisfaction with the initial ending, directors Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers, and Joaquim Dos Santos were inspired by "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" to add a new ending that would give audiences hope and set up the sequel, "Beyond the Spider-Verse." The original ending had Miles Morales facing off against the Prowler, an alternate universe version of himself, but the revised ending brought together other beloved characters in a move that generated excitement for what's to come. Alongside this revelation, it's been reported that production conditions were quite harsh, with some animators working excessively long hours for extended periods. This last-minute change demonstrates the fluid nature of filmmaking and the importance of audience reception in shaping the final product of major cinematic releases.

The ending was changed from a cliffhanger with Miles Morales and the Prowler to a more hopeful scenario where Spider-Gwen gathers a team to save Miles, providing a setup for the next installment in the series and aligning with the more positive, hopeful conclusions seen in films such as "The Empire Strikes Back."

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" serves as the sequel to the critically acclaimed "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," which introduced audiences to multiple versions of Spider-Man across different universes. Following the success of the first film, the sequel was highly anticipated, promising to expand the multiverse and bring together diverse characters. The production's dedication to audience satisfaction is evident in the directors' willingness to reshape the ending, ensuring it met fans' expectations and maintained excitement for the franchise's future.