Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse stars Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld reveal what it feels like to get back to the Spider-Verse.
Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld reveal how it feels to jump back into the Spider-Verse in this interview with Mama’s Geeky. The pair are back in action, Shameik Moore as Miles Morales and Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy. In this interview they also discuss the importance of diversity and playing such iconic characters.
Shameik Moore & Hailee Steinfeld Talk Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Can you reflect on getting into character?
Hailee Steinfeld: We’re lucky enough to play these characters that are so incredibly relatable. They happen to be going through a time in their lives that I believe we all go through at one point, which is where we’re just trying to figure it out, and understand who we are, and understand how to walk in our purpose and live and be our truest self, unapologetically. It’s a time in our life where we break away from our foundation and become our own person. As far as getting into character, it is rather seamless, just given that I still feel like I’m in that that phase of life where I’m trying to figure it out and truly understand every aspect of life and everything it has to offer.
Shameik Moore: Totally agree. We have great directors, the writers did an amazing job as well. The animation is stunning. A lot of it has to do with trust for me. Putting one foot in front of the other. I agree with Hailee, I’m still in that phase of figuring it out. I took my leap of faith. I’m wearing my mask, but figuring out how I want to wear it is the real task of being a superhero and embracing your knowledge of self. With a great director, you can you can figure it out, and we have multiple. And a great cast, and a loyal fan base.
How does it feel stepping back into the Spider-Verse?
Shameik Moore: I got to work with Hailee in the sound booth. That was nice. We got to work with Kemp Powers, who directed Soul as well, which was nice. Chris and Phil are legendarily creative and innovative. From the cast, to directors, to animators, I mean I feel excited. I feel honored. I felt like I had to be ready and bring my energy to top my performance in the first one. It’s like, let’s go even harder. That was my whole mentality about it.
Shamiek, can you talk about Miles sets the tone for being comfortable in both worlds, being biracial.
Shameik Moore: Miles is putting one foot in front of the other. I love it. My parents are Jamaican and when I try to speak patois, sometimes they’ll make fun of me. But they also make sure I embrace my Jamaican heritage. And they are my parents. No one loves me or understands me more than my parents. So they’re going to poke and make fun of me but it is strengthening. It is a sensitive thing, when you can be mixed and you’re not black enough, or you’re not Puerto Rican enough, or Asian enough or whatnot. It’s easy to be like, Oh, I don’t feel accepted.
But the thing I love about this movie is that Miles is in a place of embracing it. This is how I want to wear my mask. I’m saying everybody wants to tell me, I’m dot dot dot.. Nah, it is not about what everybody else thinks. So everybody has that validation, it’s about how I feel. I’m in control. I’m gonna write my own story. I am Black and Puerto Rican, and I am going to speak my Spanglish. And when my mom speaks Spanglish, I’m gonna point it out to her too, because we’re all human. I love you like you love me.
I think this story allows people to be able to, if you pay attention, it’s how you wear the mask that really matters, the decisions we make and following that moral compass, don’t let anybody get you down. It’s natural to get down. But it creates the reason for you to build yourself up to have that inner strength, and that’s also something Miles talks about in this film. I love the writing and the messaging is so powerful.
Be sure to watch the full interview with Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld to get more Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse behind the scenes information and tidbits. The movie swings into theaters on June 2nd, so don’t miss it!
NEXT: Chris Miller & Phil Lord Talk Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
About Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence.
But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most. Anyone can wear the mask – it’s how you wear it that makes you a hero.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swings into theaters June 2nd.
