Preston Mutanga, a mere 14-year-old, dedicated his school spring break and evenings after homework to develop a Lego version of a segment from the film “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse.”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” a sequel to “Into the Spider-Verse,” has already become one of 2023’s top films. Its grand box office debut and the highest-ever rating on Letterboxd testify to its immense popularity.
The movie provides a captivating narrative following Miles Morales/Spider-Man, portrayed by Shameik Moore, on a thrilling journey through the multiverse. Here, he encounters Gwen Stacy, played by Hailee Steinfeld, and a group of Spider-People tasked with the multiverse’s protection.
“Across the Spider-Verse” successfully pushes the envelope of the original film, using diverse animation styles to delve further into the multiverse and Miles’ story.
The animation team for “Across the Spider-Verse” has created a unique feel for the film, akin to hopping from one comic book to another. This achievement comes from the effort of numerous artists who have contributed to various Spider-Man comics and other animated films.
The different animation styles converge beautifully when Miles and Gwen reach the Spider Society, a clear homage to the collection of all Spider-Man narratives.
While the animation of “Across the Spider-Verse” is remarkable in its own right, a specific element of the film is noteworthy. This aspect revolves around a sequence in a world made entirely of Legos, where we are introduced to Lego Spider-Man, voiced by Nic Novicki.
This hilarious and well-crafted segment in the movie owes its existence to the talent of Preston Mutanga. After gaining attention from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for his perfect Lego rendition of the first “Across the Spider-Verse” trailer, Sony hired Preston to animate this Lego segment.
The Lego trailer, shared on Twitter and YouTube by Preston in early 2023, became an internet sensation with over 700k views on Twitter alone. In an interview with the New York Times, Christopher stated that Preston’s creation “blew us all away, including some of the best animators in the world.”
The response to Preston’s work was overwhelmingly positive, with fans of Spider-Man and the Spider-Verse asking him when he’d start working for Sony. Phil, Christopher, and the “Across the Spider-Verse” team decided to incorporate a Lego universe in the film, and producer Christina Steinberg offered Preston the chance to animate it.
After confirming the legitimacy of Sony’s offer, Preston’s father invested in a new computer and top-notch graphics card to expedite his son’s work.
During his spring break and after his school assignments, Preston worked diligently on “Across the Spider-Verse.” He also regularly met with Christopher to review his progress and receive feedback.
Phil expressed his delight at working with Preston in an interview with the New York Times, “The Lego Movie is inspired by people making films with Lego bricks at home. That’s what made us want to make the movie. Then the idea in Spider-Verse is that a hero can come from anywhere.” He added, “And here comes this heroic young person who’s inspired by the movie that people like him inspired.”
The story of Preston Mutanga is an incredible example of how dedication and creativity can pave the way to unprecedented opportunities. His passion for Legos and animation not only caught the attention of the creators of one of the biggest movies of 2023 but also allowed him to contribute to it in a significant way. Preston’s story serves as a reminder that inspiration and heroes can come from anywhere, even from a 14-year-old working on his school spring break. The magic of animation and storytelling knows no age limits.
