Gwen Stacy (Spider-Verse)

Gwen Stacy as she appears out of costume during Into the Spider-Verse

Gwen is introduced as a teenager in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,[1] explaining that she has been Spider-Woman for two years.[2] She also mentions that she failed to save her universe's Peter Parker, who was her best friend, blaming herself for his death.[3]

She explains that during battle with Doctor Octopus, she was pulled in another dimension. Her "spider-sense" led her to Brooklyn Visions Academy, where she would meet Miles, who is unaware of her identity as Spider-Woman. She introduces herself under the alias "Wanda" (mistaken by Miles as "Gwanda"). When first speaking to her, Miles is depicted as obviously anxious.[4] Their meeting is awkward and Miles, not having a handle on his powers yet, gets his hand stuck in Gwen's hair, resulting in her distinctive undercut later in the film.[5][6] At one point Gwen webs up Miles and Peter B. Parker, taking the briefcase they had stolen from Alchemax.[7]

Gwen, along with the other Spider-people (Peter, Spider-Ham, Spider-Man Noir, and Peni Parker), are seen returning to their respective dimensions.[8] Right before the credits of Into the Spider-Verse, a flash featuring the color scheme of Gwen's dimension is seen,[8] with her voice also heard calling to Miles.[9]

Set over a year after the events of Into the Spider-Verse, the sequel offers Gwen more screentime and delves more in-depth into her backstory.[10][11] The film's opening is centered on Gwen, with its narrative crosscut with visuals of her drumming intensely for her band, the Mary Janes.[12] The narrative element of the opening focuses on her backstory and struggling relationship with her father, police captain George Stacy.[10][12][13] It is revealed that Earth-65B's Peter Parker turns into the Lizard after experimenting on himself. As the Lizard, Peter crashes a high school dance to attack his bullies.[12] Gwen battles the Lizard as Spider-Woman, unaware that she's fighting Peter. During the battle, Peter is fatally wounded by debris and reverts to his human form before dying. Gwen is guilt-ridden upon realizing she inadvertently killed her best friend. Captain Stacy sees Spider-Woman at the scene and, thinking she is responsible for Peter's death, dedicates himself to arresting her.[12]

Wrongly accused of murdering Peter, Gwen becomes a fugitive while continuing to fight villains as Spider-Woman; she is seen fighting an interdimensional Italian Renaissance-themed version of the Vulture.[11] During the fight, she meets Miguel O'Hara (known as Spider-Man 2099) and another Spider-Woman, Jess Drew.[11] The latter is based on the Jessica Drew from Spider-Woman comics lore; in Across the Spider-Verse, she serves as Gwen's mentor and urges to include her in the Spider-Society, despite Miguel's initial push back.[14] At the end of their battle with the Vulture, Gwen is again confronted by her father and in this moment, reveals her identity to him. He remains committed to arresting Spider-Woman, which greatly hurts her emotionally. She chooses to leave her home universe, traveling with Jess and Miguel and joining the Spider-Society.[12]

Gwen later travels to Earth-1610B, to reconnect with Miles, visiting him in his room and stumbling upon his sketchbook which includes much artwork of her.[15] Recognizing his attraction for her, she mentions that in every other universe, a version of Gwen falls in love with Spider-Man, cautioning that it ultimately ends in the death of those Gwens.[15] In this scene, she does hint at beyond platonic feelings for Miles. She then also serves as a sort-of guide for Miles, discussing the wider Spider-Verse with him.[16] Later, Gwen meets Miles' parents who get a sense of Miles' feelings for her.[15]

The film also introduces Spider-Punk (Hobart "Hobie" Brown), based on the comics character of the same name. It is established that Gwen and Hobie are part of a band together, as well as the former having left "a lot of stuff" at the latter's house.[17] Miles suspects that Hobie and Gwen have a more-than-platonic relationship, though Hobie's voice actor Daniel Kaluuya stated in an interview that "I think [Gwen and Hobie] have a genuine friendship, but how deep that goes is between [the two]."[18] Kaluuya also elaborated that Hobie was a member of the Spider-Society in part to support Gwen.[17]

The Spider-Society asserts theories involving "canon events" and anomalies to the canon, which Jess and Miguel share with Gwen, who accepts them as facts.[14] Miguel and the Spider-Society assert that Miles is the original anomaly and that his father, who will become a police captain as well, must die as a "canon event" that all Spider-heroes experience.[12] Miles is hurt that Gwen did not reveal this information to him prior. Set on saving his father, Miles escapes from Miguel and the Spider-Society. Seeing Gwen as a liability, Miguel dismisses Gwen from the Spider-Society,[12] with him and Jess aware that Gwen may be apprehended upon her return to her home universe.[14]

Upon returning to her home dimension, she reconnects with her father, who tells her he has resigned from his position as captain and will no longer pursue her arrest.[12] She then assembles allies to go help Miles.[19]

Lord and Miller have confirmed that Gwen will meet variants of herself in Beyond the Spider-Verse, calling it "plot integral" to the film.[20]

In November 2018, a Spider-Verse spinoff featuring a female-led cast was announced alongside the sequel for Into the Spider-Verse.[21] Gwen, as well as Jess Drew and Cindy Moon, were later confirmed to be the characters of focus in the spinoff.[22] In May 2023, producer Avi Arad confirmed that the film would be titled Spider-Woman, and follow Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman as the main character.[23]

Gwen was based on the character of the same name who debuted in 2014, in the second issue of the Edge of Spider-Verse comic title. Each issue of the title had a different creative team, with Gwen's issue being helmed by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez.[24] Part of the larger "Spider-Verse" storyline, the issue portrayed an alternate universe version of Gwen Stacy, who was killed in Marvel Comics' main universe continuity, known as Earth-616.[25] The alternate universe in which Gwen becomes Spider-Woman is designated as Earth-65.[25] Readers of the character's comics commonly refer to her as Spider-Gwen, though the character is officially known as Ghost-Spider.[10][26]

Instead of an origin story, the Latour and Rodriguez opted to explore the character's history in a two-page "Previously" spread. In it, Gwen was established as a teen drummer who was bitten by a radioactive spider, before taking on the Spider-Woman persona to indulge in an adrenalin buzz.[24] Peter Parker, meanwhile, is Gwen's best friend in this continuity.[26] She defends Peter from bullies, but he creates a serum that transforms him into the Lizard, wishing to be "special" like her. Not realizing Peter is the Lizard, she accidentally kills him in battle.[24][27]

As the "Spider-Verse" storyline proved popular, demand for a title centered on Earth-65's Gwen Stacy was high, leading to the Spider-Gwen comic series beginning in February 2015.[28]

Shortly prior to the launch of Spider-Gwen, the November 2014 hack of Sony Pictures–the studio owning the film rights to Spider-Man characters–revealed emails among Sony executives discussing a planned animated Spider-Man comedy film to be written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.[29] At CinemaCon in April 2015, Sony Pictures chair Tom Rothman announced the animated film's release date as being set for July 20, 2018.[30] Before Gwen's appearance in the Spider-Verse films, the character was adapted in the animated television series Ultimate Spider-Man, making her screen debut in 2016.[31]

Hailee Steinfeld (pictured in 2018) voices Gwen in the films

Spider-Gwen was originally set to appear in the film as a love interest of Miles Morales', but this idea was scrapped as her character transitioned into having a more platonic relationship with Miles in the film, as well as having a more prominent role as a hero.[32] A co-producer on Into the Spider-Verse, Christina Steinberg was noted by Vanity Fair as responsible for this development, with Lord being quoted stating, "I will say that [Steinberg] kept us honest. As five boys making a movie, it was really good to have another filmmaker there going, 'I don't think you guys want to do it like this.'"[32]

In December 2017, the film's first teaser was released, officially unveiling its title as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.[33][34] Sony later released the film's official trailer on June 6, 2018, which included Gwen at the end,[35] confirming Hailee Steinfeld was cast as Spider-Woman / Gwen Stacy.[36] Steinfeld had already been linked to the film, but her role in the project was previously unknown.[36] Following this, Gwen further appeared in the film's marketing material including TV spots.[37][38]

Gwen's return in a potential sequel was indicated, according to Polygon via the flash of her dimension's color scheme at the end of the first film.[8] Development for the sequel was announced in November 2018, prior to the first film's release,[22] and its release date was originally confirmed for April 2022.[8] This was ultimately pushed back to June 2, 2023. Though not being given a full script during the sequel's production, Steinfeld shared she recorded voice lines for it over a period of four years beginning shortly after Into's release.[39] For Across, the character's role was expanded to the point many outlets considered her a "second lead" or "full-fledged protagonist" in her own right.[13][40] Indeed, the beginning and end of the films are narrated by Gwen, with much of the film presented from her perspective.[19] For scenes involving Gwen and her father, Steinfeld was able to record in the same room with the latter's voice actor, Shea Whigham.[39] Steinfeld specifically asked to record in the same room as her co-stars, not having done so for Into the Spider-Verse but hearing that Miles' voice actor Shameik Moore had.[39] Being able to record with Whigham, Moore, and Issa Rae (voice of Jess Drew), Steinfeld commented "There's nothing like that real-time banter and human interaction, and bless our sound department, but a little overlap never hurt anybody too bad. So it was really special to have the authenticity of a real-life conversation."[39] Lord and Miller also noted the process Steinfeld employed during production, stating she would offer detailed lists of edits and improvements she could make to line recordings.[41]

Spider-Verse's Gwen deliberately draws much inspiration from the comics.[24] Production designer on Into and director on Across Justin K. Thompson was "adamant that Gwen had to reflect the Robbi Rodriguez art style from the comic," stating that he wanted her to be "the most capable of all the Spider-People", adding that "there's a power and sophistication and poise in her."[42] Into the Spider-Verse's art director wrote elaborated on Gwen being "like a ghost when she's in her costume," stating "she does react to light, but much less so than other characters do. She maintains an almost white silhouette with black accents."[42]

Into the Spider-Verse production art of Gwen Stacy by Naveen Selvanathan

In Into the Spider-Verse, she is depicted with a slim build, blue eyes, a piercing near her eyebrow, and short blonde hair, "chopped to the side after Miles accidentally got his hand stuck on it because he could not control his powers."[3] Her costume implements "elements of femininity" as its black portion "is designed to look like a dress."[3] Her visual design borrows elements from her comics appearances.[43] Having a distinct color palette from established Spider-Man schemes,[44] the black, white, purple, and neon blue costume she wears originates from her comics design, created by Latour, Rodriguez, and colorist Rico Renzi.[43] Gwen's outfit is also hooded and features her wearing a white mask.[43] For her appearance in the film, character designer Shiyoon Kim stated that the animation team's goal "was to make Gwen stand out from the visual archetypes associated with female characters in animation."[45] Kim elaborated that Gwen "is not just a pretty blonde girl with your typical thin princess body. We wanted her to look like a ballet dancer — tall, muscular, and powerful."[45] Kim also stated that a sculpt was done based on sketches by Andrea Blasich, with visual development artist Omar Smith creating the final design.[45]

Gwen's home dimension of Earth-65 is featured in Across the Spider-Verse. Described by the filmmakers as a "mood ring" reflecting Gwen's emotions, the world's colors and transitions are "not literal", with its details dependent on Gwen's feelings.[10] Carlos Aguilar of the New York Times wrote that "for example, if [Gwen] feels angry, the screen turns red and the atmosphere hotter. And when confusion overtakes her, the world becomes fragmented."[46] Thompson cited Cinderella, the 1950 Disney film, as serving as a reference in this regard.[46] The visual effect results in "watercolor-like hues that drip and morph in reaction to Gwen."[10] Gwen's world in the film is inspired by elements of Rodriguez's artwork and Renzi's colors from the original Spider-Gwen run.[44][13]

Portrayed as mature for her age in Into, Gwen is "very competent in hand to hand combat, very agile, and smart", Gwen also serves as a mentor of sorts to Miles.[3] While the film scrapped making Gwen solely a love interest of Miles, the film does include a romantic tension between the two; this dynamic is pulled from the comics, which features the two in an inter-dimensional relationship, occasionally crossing dimensions to see each other.[24][27] Though plot points about Gwen and Miles' romantic relationship were ultimately cut from Into, they were included in the film's sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.[47] Scenes developing this relationship were inspired by the Sitting in a Tree crossover storyline featuring Miles and Gwen.[15] The sequel's filmmakers were also conscious of Gwen's arc paralleling Miles', with her "serving as a mirror at times" for him.[48]

Lord and Miller sought to include a mentor for Gwen in Across the Spider-Verse, leading to the inclusion of Jess Drew (also known as Spider-Woman).[10] Her arc in the sequel is seen by its filmmakers as mirroring that of Miles', with director Joaquim Dos Santos stating, "[Gwen] already was a character that played everything really, really close to her chest. She has to learn sort of the opposite end of what Miles is going through, [such as] doing things not only to protect herself, but this other family that she's taken in."[10] Her being a fugitive from the law in the Spider-Verse films is also an element drawn from the comics.[10]

The transgender pride flag: Its explicit inclusion in Across the Spider-Verse is one factor in the discussion of Gwen's story being interpreted as an allegory for trans identity

Much has been written about Gwen's story being a metaphor for the transgender experience, particularly after her appearance in Across the Spider-Verse. The film does not discuss if Gwen herself is trans, nor have its creators spoken on Gwen's identity in this regard.[49] However, audiences and media writers interpreted Gwen's arc in the sequel as an allegory for trans identity, with some even suggesting Gwen may be trans or subtextually coded as such.[n 1] One such subtext includes Gwen's line that her parents "only know half of who I am", which she shares with Miles.[55]

The film does however include explicit references to trans culture, namely a shot of Gwen's bedroom wall, on which a transgender flag with text reading "Protect Trans Kids" was hung up.[56] Some viewers believe Gwen's father can also be briefly seen wearing a trans pin.[49] However, the colors may be incidental, due to the color filter used during the scene, with the pin perhaps being a police medal instead.[53][57] Indeed, the film's color palette often features Gwen "draped" in the colors of the transgender flag: pink, blue, and white.[49][50] However, CNN cited a viewer who conversely argued that these colors were already used for the comics version of the character, and thus were not necessarily proof that the movie version is trans.[49] Alex Abad-Santos of Vox wrote that "these colors are especially pronounced when Gwen is in her own world, where the artistic conceit is that the colors around her reflect her feelings."[50] One key scene featuring Gwen discussing her secret identity as Spider-Woman to her father features the colors prominently, with Amelia Hansford of PinkNews writing that "Gwen and the environment around her are practically drenched" in them. Hansford added that the scene was seen by many as a metaphor for coming out; she wrote that in her world, Gwen's Spider-Woman persona is judged, misunderstood, and despised, causing her to hide her true identity from society.[52]

CNN's Leah Asmelash cited comics writer Zoe Tunnell as stating the hinting of Gwen as trans in the film was "as subtle as a brick". Tunnell added that the filmmakers showcased Gwen's story arc "in a way that was clearly intended to resonate and support with many of our lives, both thematically and symbolically" through the usage of the trans pride flag's color palette.[49] Isaiah Colbert of Kotaku wrote that "some Spider-Verse viewers feel that her character arc, which includes a painful coming-out of sorts to her father, functions as a trans allegory. And the visual motifs that the film employs during this pivotal scene only serve to drive home that interpretation."[51] Abad-Santos added that "In Across the Spider-Verse, one of the core ideas is that anyone can be a version of Spider-Man. This helps to further the LGBTQ allegory."[50] Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, writing for The Daily Dot, called "the subtext behind Gwen's arc [...] glaringly obvious," opining that "it's both unfair and wrongheaded to dismiss a trans-coded interpretation just because it's based on things like color palette and metaphor."[57]

Audience response to interpretations of Gwen as trans or of her story as an allegory for trans identity was positive, according to writers and media outlets covering the film. Hansford wrote that "Whether Gwen Stacy is trans, an ally or simply a metaphor for the trans experience, many fans have praised the inclusion of a trans-coded superhero overcoming adversity in a world hellbent on suppressing her."[52] Asmelash, Colbert, and IGN's Alex Stedman all cited one fan who wrote "Trans (and even cis) fans have every right to say Gwen Stacy is trans, even if the movies never outright confirm it. You can't deny that it's been hinted at. The fact is— if she can make somebody feel represented, who are you to tell them they're wrong?"[49][51][54] Avery Kaplan of Popverse wrote that even if Gwen is cis, she can still be relatable for trans viewers, referring to a scene "in which [Gwen and Miles] express how deeply they empathize with one another in spite of the seemingly different nature of their respective circumstances. The unqualified empathy between the two leading characters in spite of their disparate origins – they're literally from different dimensions – embodies one of the key themes of the Spider-Verse concept."[53]

Though fan and media response did include positive reactions to this interpretation, some viewers pushed back on the idea. Baker-Whitelaw wrote that "as more viewers began to discuss this interpretation on social media, it provoked a variety of reactions—both with predictable transphobic backlash and in a more complicated debate about whether queer/trans subtext is a cop-out compared to 'real' representation."[57] Tunnell was cited as having received hateful responses and death threats, to which she expressed that "support and solidarity" with transgender individuals is of high importance due to "the fact that people are so rabid and hateful about the sheer concept of a character being trans, or even just a strong trans ally".[49]

Additionally, several theaters in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East abruptly pulled their scheduled screenings of the film, set for release in the region on June 22, 2023.[56] Though no official or explicit bans of the film's release were issued, many speculated that the film failed to pass regional censorship requirements due to its brief visual references to the transgender flag.[56][59]