Director Destin Daniel Cretton on making Spider-Man grow up

The landscape of superhero blockbusters has shifted dramatically, with box office revenues facing a significant downturn in the 2020s. While the late 2000s and 2010s saw a seemingly unstoppable surge in superhero film success, with titles like "Avengers: Endgame" and "Joker" shattering records, the current decade has presented new challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cinema operations, and even major sequels like "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and ambitious projects like "Eternals" and "The Marvels" failed to meet expectations.

In this new era, only two superhero films have managed to cross the $1 billion worldwide gross mark since 2020: the R-rated "Deadpool & Wolverine" and 2021's "Spider-Man: No Way Home." This stark contrast places considerable pressure on upcoming releases, including "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.

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I just can't wait for people to see it. I cannot wait to be in the theatre and see all of the decisions that we made and see reactions to these incredible performances for the first time. It's the completion of a long cycle, to something on screen that feels so personal to me, is really one of the biggest emotional highs of my life.

Cretton, who previously directed Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and the "Wonder Man" series, is no stranger to the superhero genre. He spoke about the anticipation surrounding "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," expressing his eagerness for audiences to experience the film. "I just can't wait for people to see it," Cretton said. "I cannot wait to be in the theatre and see all of the decisions that we made and see reactions to these incredible performances for the first time. It's the completion of a long cycle, to something on screen that feels so personal to me, is really one of the biggest emotional highs of my life."

Reflecting on his childhood, Cretton shared that his upbringing on Maui, where his parents limited television access, meant his exposure to pop culture was minimal. Despite this, Spider-Man managed to make an impression. "But somehow Spider-Man made" his way into his life, he recalled, hinting at a long-standing connection to the character that now culminates in directing his latest cinematic adventure.

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But somehow Spider-Man made