Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez Talks ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’

A Brilliant Sequel! Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the thrilling second installment in Miles Morales’ Spider-Verse story, is back and bigger and better than ever!

After Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) reunites with Gwen Stacy, Ghost-Spider (Hailee Steinfeld) is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he meets a diverse team of Spider-People tasked with protecting the Multiverse. But when the heroes disagree on how to deal with a threat, Miles is forced to make a difficult choice in order to save the people he cares about the most. Anyone can wear the Spider mask, but it’s how you wear it that makes you a hero.

The highly anticipated sequel in the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse is set to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide in this thrilling sequel. The story continues in Brooklyn, where returning and new characters take the audience on a nonstop wild adventure from beginning to end.

I spoke with Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominee Brian Tyree Henry, who plays Miles Morales’ cop father in “Jefferson Davis,” who wants nothing more than to give his son the life he didn’t have. Brian discussed the honor and adventure of being a part of the Marvel universe, as well as what this role means to him. This father/son team would be incomplete without the Davis family matriarch, “Rio Morales,” played by talented actress Luna Lauren Valez.

Luna portrays a nurturing mother who reminds her son “Miles Morales” of his uniqueness. Luna discussed how important it is to see this family represented on screen.”There is no trauma in the Morales household,” says Valez, which is often unheard of when telling Black and Brown stories on screen.

Speaking with Brian and Luna, it was clear that they were ecstatic to be a part of a franchise that valued diverse representation and championed the values of family, love, and belonging. When discussing Across The Spider-Verse, they express how important their roles and the film are to not only them, but to the audience who watches the film and sees themselves reflected.

Brian and Luna expressed their gratitude for being a part of a project that not only entertained but also challenged traditional superhero narratives. The second installment delves into family dynamics, love, and the power of one’s individuality.

The film emphasizes the importance of young viewers seeing superheroes who look like them, breaking down barriers and instilling a sense of empowerment. The film has become a beacon of hope, inspiring a new generation of aspiring superheroes by showcasing a diverse range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. The film not only gives these characters a chance to shine, but it also serves as a platform for amplifying and elevating underrepresented voices.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has become an agent of transformation by embracing diversity and inclusion, inspiring audiences to embrace their own powers and make a positive impact in the world.

Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson direct Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which is based on Marvel Comics and has a screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham. The film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on June 2, 2023.