‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse’ Daniel Kaluuya Star Got His Start 18 Years Ago

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  • Where Will Hobie’s Story Go Next in the Spider-Verse Films?

2025 seems likely to be devoid of new Spider-Man appearances on the big screen, as Sony’s Spider-Verse trilogy finale has been postponed from its original March 2024 release date and Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man 4 is still in production. This news is particularly disappointing for fans of the animated feature, as Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse enjoyed both critical and commercial success, living up to the high standards set by its prequel, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

The Spider-Verse trilogy showcases an impressive lineup of heavyweights from the entertainment industry, with its latest edition featuring Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya. His portrayal of Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk, despite only having a scant five minutes on screen, has garnered attention, as evidenced by a 35-minute YouTube analysis with over 3 million views. Kaluuya is primarily recognized for his roles in films like “Get Out,” “Black Panther,” and “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Given his extensive body of work, it’s challenging to recall the promising newcomer he once was and the beginning of his journey in the industry.

Daniel Kaluuya’s First Big Role in ‘Skins’

If you were a teenager between the late 2000s and early 2010s, chances are you’ve come across the highly popular series Skins. Did you know that Daniel Kaluuya, who played the role of Posh Kenneth in the initial season, was only 18 years old at the time? Surprisingly, he not only acted but also wrote and co-wrote two episodes from seasons 2 and 3 (“Jal” and “Thomas“). Kaluuya revealed that he was initially meant to appear in just one episode, but ended up spending more time in the writers’ room than on set due to his impressive performance during the read-through.

The show “Skins” was a dramatic series that mirrors today’s Euphoria, delving into the lives of teenagers and their everyday challenges such as school, friendships, relationships, and family life. The series was known for portraying themes like drug use, nudity, sex, and mental health issues. It was progressive in its diverse casting and LGBTQ+ storylines but faced criticism for potentially glamorizing harmful behaviors like eating disorders. For example, Nicholas Hoult, who starred in Skins and Nosferatu, recently stated on Brittany Broski’s “The Royal Court” that if he were a parent during the show’s run, he wouldn’t allow his tweens to watch it, suggesting they might have secretly watched it without his knowledge.

In the television series “Skins,” Kenneth, a member of the group and particularly close with Anwar (portrayed by Dev Patel at a young age), was depicted. Kaluuya’s character was a rap artist who frequently switched between different British accents, which became a recurring joke in the show. Following this role, his fame started to grow. He went on to secure the lead in the “Fifteen Million Merits” episode of “Black Mirror,” took supporting roles in “Kick-Ass 2” and “Sicario,” and eventually starred in the horror blockbuster “Get Out,” directed by Jordan Peele.

Where Will Hobie’s Story Go Next in the Spider-Verse Films?

The film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was widely acclaimed as a cinematic masterpiece, and it can be argued that Hobie’s character development played a significant role in this success. Initially portrayed as a rebellious British punk with a nonchalant demeanor, Hobie provided an intriguing contrast to the awkward and green Miles Morales. Despite his carefree attitude, he had a certain appeal that even sparked some envy from Miles.

In my opinion, while he didn’t shy away from embracing his role, it’s clear that Hobie, or Spider-Punk as some may know him, recognized Miguel’s Spider society for what it truly represented – a rigid cult, reminiscent of fascism, imprisoning those who didn’t conform to their strict norms or the multiverse.

One could speculate that casting Kaluuya was a hint towards a larger part for Hobie in the sequel. However, given the audience’s response, it appears this expanded role would have been inevitable, regardless of the casting decision.

Previously, Miles was confronting his villainous counterpart from Earth-42 in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Fortunately, Gwen has figured out that they are in a different dimension. Since Hobie constructed the teleportation device initially, it’s reasonable to expect he can find a solution to this predicament. The issue at hand is determining how much harm will be inflicted before Miles receives help from his fellow Spideys.

Hobie: “I don’t believe in teams.”

Miles: “Aren’t you in a band?”

Hobie: “I don’t believe in consistency.”

I’m thrilled to share that the gripping series “Skins” is now ready for streaming on Hulu! And if you’re a fan of superheroes, don’t miss Daniel Kaluuya in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” available on Netflix. Enjoy the ride!

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2025-01-10 01:02