Daniel Kaluuya Addresses Character Romance Speculation in Spider

Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya provides insights into his character romance speculation in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has captivated audiences with its introduction of diverse iterations of the beloved web-slinger, including the charismatic character Hobart "Hobie" Brown, also known as Spider-Punk. The animated film has not only received widespread acclaim but has also left a significant mark on the box office, achieving remarkable success by breaking records on its opening day. Fans eagerly embraced the unique storylines and visually stunning animation, making it the third-highest-grossing opening day for an animated film.

Recently, actor Daniel Kaluuya, who lends his voice to the character of Hobie, addressed speculations surrounding the romantic undertones in the movie. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kaluuya alluded to the significance of the relationship between Hobie and Gwen, hinting at a deep connection between the characters. He mentioned that Gwen had entrusted Hobie with personal items, suggesting a level of intimacy and trust in their bond.

"Gwen and Hobie, I think something was happening. She left a lot of stuff at his house. They're part of this band, and one of the reasons why Hobie was there was to have Gwen's back. He wouldn't be rolling around with the [Spider Society] otherwise, but he felt that Gwen was not well. So I don't think Gwen used Hobie for that. I think they have a genuine friendship, but how deep that goes is between Gwen and Hobie."

Kaluuya also shared insights into his character's role in the Spider Society, highlighting his commitment to supporting Gwen and being there for her. The nature and depth of their relationship are left open to interpretation, allowing viewers to speculate and await further exploration in the upcoming film.

"Yeah, it was to have Gwen's back. At the end of the film, he gives a gesture to Gwen again. He just has her back, you know what I mean? Someone's gotta watch somebody, and he wants to hide how much he cares. He watches over people that are coming from the same type of place that he feels he comes from. So, him being in the Spider Society is a lot of that."

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Spider-Punk, a lesser-known iteration of the Spider-Man character, has quickly won over fans with his distinct charm. The ingenuity in Spider-Punk's design further sets him apart, with a constantly shifting color scheme and dynamic elements of clothing that create the illusion of a punk-rock collage. These visual elements, combined with Kaluuya's captivating presence, make Spider-Punk an intriguing and memorable character. Joaquim Dos Santos, co-director of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, shed light on the decision to cast Daniel Kaluuya. Dos Santos initially associated him with speaking in an American accent. However, upon watching interviews with Kaluuya, Dos Santos was pleasantly surprised by the match between the actor's voice and the visual depiction of Spider-Punk.

"Daniel Kaluuya is, I think, one of our great actors of our generation. I was surprised, honestly. You know, when I think of Daniel Kaluuya I think of him speaking in an American accent. We watched these interviews with him and it was just him doing this on a talk show, and we set that against the visuals of Spider-Punk as he was being developed, and just seeing a stagnant image of Spider-Punk set to his voice, it jumped off the page. So, yeah, I could hear the guy talk all day long. I'm gonna understand probably, like, two out of every five words that he says, but I'll listen to it all day long."

Daniel Kaluuya stars alongside an impressive ensemble cast, which includes returning actors like Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker. The film is further elevated by the addition of notable talents such as Andy Samberg, Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae, and Karan Soni. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is out now in theaters.