Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse finally swung into cinemas on 2 June to deliver more inter-dimensional web-slinging action. The multiverse concept is all the rage in movies right now, and Sony’s animated Spider-Verse films are among the best in the business. The multiverse – which has been explored in previous Marvel movies – opens the door to exciting crossovers and cameos. In Across the Spider-Verse, Donald Glover reprises his role from a previous movie. But who is Donald Glover in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
Before we get into that, it’s important to explain the context underlining Donald Glover’s appearance.
Across the Spider-Verse picks up sixteen months after the events of Into the Spider-Verse. An older Miles is struggling to balance home and school life with his duties as Spider-Man. He also misses Gwen (Earth-65’s Spider-Woman) after she travelled back to her own universe at the conclusion of the last movie.
Unbeknownst to Miles, Gwen has been recruited into a Spider-Society comprised of alternate universe Spider-People. At the helm of the organisation is Miguel O’Hara A.K.A. Spider-Man 2099. When Miles eventually encounters Gwen and the Spider-Society, he travels with them to their base world on Earth-928.
Here Miles meets thousands of other Spider-People and a number of imprisoned super-villains. Among them is a live-action Donald Glover, sticking out like a sore thumb in an otherwise entirely animated world.
But who is Donald Glover in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
Who is Donald Glover in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
Donald Glover appears as Aaron Davis/The Prowler (Miles Morales’ uncle) in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. He previously played this role in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
In Homecoming, Aaron Davis can be seen purchasing weapons from Shocker and Herman Schultz. The two of them are associates of Vulture (A.K.A. Adrian Toomes).
While Donald Glover’s role in Homecoming is brief, his cameo in Across the Spider-Verse is a nice nod to the fact he previously portrayed Miles Morales’ uncle.
In the comics, The Prowler’s mastery of stealth, acrobatics, and advanced technology makes him a formidable adversary and a valuable ally when needed. While initially a criminal, Aaron Davis eventually becomes a reformed character. As seen in Into The Spider-Verse, his dual nature and conflicted loyalties often blur the line between hero and villain.
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