The new and critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse film brought the conglomeration of different colorful and lively universes and an extended list of Easter eggs and cameos. However, the future of Donald Glover as Prowler is unclear despite his surprise appearance in the film.
The actor and singer has an extended history with Spider-Man. Around 2012, during the making of The Amazing Spider-Man, fans launched an online campaign to cast Glover as the next Peter Parker. Eventually, the role went on to Andrew Garfield, much to the acceptance of Glover. Nevertheless, the Community actor did go on to get involved in the franchise. He not only voiced Miles Morales himself in the 2014 DisneyXD series Ultimate Spider-Man but also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Uncle Aaron.
Glover returned as Aaron Davis/Prowler in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but it might have been a one-time appearance. "It was definitely a personal reach-out to Donald," producer Phillip Lord told Rolling Stone when asked about the actor's place in the universe. "We reached out, and we were like 'we thought of something. It will be so easy. And you commit to nothing.'" The filmmaker explained the performer's desire to surprise his kids, fans of the first Spider-Verse film. He also described that, when bringing the movie to life, they decided against animating Glover's character because they wanted to keep each of the Spider-Man universes and canon true to what they are.
In the second installment of Miles Morales' story, Glover appears while Miles is being escorted around Miguel O'Hara's Nueva York. There, Miles sees in the distance a live-action of Prowler, his uncle, played by Glover. "It's rude to stare," the live-action actor tells the stunned cartoon characters. However, there was no further explanation about Prowler's whereabouts, intentions, or connection to the MCU. While some fans thought this cameo sets up Glover's potential return as Prowler in the MCU, it seems as if, so far, his involvement in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was just that— a treat for the fandom and a bow to other Spidey movies.
Though Glover is not scheduled to return, his involvement in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse does open the door for potential characters in future projects. Sony producer Amy Pascal recently confirmed a Miles Morales live-action movie is underway. While more details are still to come, Glover's cameo could show a connection to other versions of the franchise, and perhaps an even more expanded Spider-Verse.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse is in theaters now.
Source: Rolling Stone