Spider-Verse fans have been stuck on a cliffhanger for nearly two years—and now Sony executives are finally addressing what is really happening behind the scenes.
After Across the Spider-Verse stunned audiences in 2023, many expected Beyond the Spider-Verse to arrive by early 2024. That release window quietly vanished, and the sequel is now slated for June 18, 2027.
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson and production head Damien de Froberville recently offered an update on the highly anticipated film’s progress. According to de Froberville, franchise creators Phil Lord and Chris Miller have remained closely involved, even while juggling their live-action sci-fi project Project Hail Mary.
“They’ve been present,” he said, noting that Lord and Miller set up editing space near the animation team to stay close to the Spider-Verse production.
In late 2024, Lord and Miller handed directing duties for Beyond to Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson. Persichetti co-directed the Oscar-winning Into the Spider-Verse, while Thompson co-directed Across the Spider-Verse. Despite the shift, Lord and Miller continue shaping the story and providing notes.
The delay has been attributed to several factors. Across the Spider-Verse reportedly grew more ambitious than originally planned, consuming time and resources. Production hurdles—including the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike—also slowed momentum. Reports have surfaced describing intense “crunch” periods during the making of Across, with some crew members claiming punishing schedules to meet deadlines.
When asked about burnout concerns for the 2027 target date, Belson defended the production environment, saying no one is forced to stay on a project they do not want to work on. She emphasized that artists are drawn to ambitious films like Spider-Verse because of their creative scope.
De Froberville added that pipeline adjustments have been made to reduce last-minute overhauls. Bringing in cinematographer Alice Brooks to help guide camera work earlier in the process has reportedly allowed the team to visualize sequences more clearly before full animation begins, cutting down on late-stage revisions.
For now, Beyond the Spider-Verse remains in active animation. And while fans may need to wait until 2027, Sony insists the extra time will ensure the trilogy concludes at the level audiences expect.
