Jake Johnson is no stranger to cracking jokes, and during his interview with The Movie Dweeb, he couldn’t resist pulling me into the Spider-Verse—again. The last time we spoke, he got me to audition (very unofficially) for the role of Spider-UK in an upcoming Spider-Verse film. This time, he doubled down, joking that we had already been busy recording Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse together.

“Well, we’re working on the third one right now, aren’t we? You remember that great record we had yesterday, and you remember that classic line you said to Peter B. as UK-Spidey? I got approval. I got approval from Sony for you to say it,” Johnson teased.

After I attempted an improvised (and admittedly questionable) line telling Peter B. Parker to put his shirt back on, Johnson burst out laughing, adding, “I would like, when this gets online, for one of the fans who does their own mock-ups to draw UK Spidey and put your voice behind it so we can see it. If somebody does that, I will love to repost it.” Challenge accepted, Spider-Verse fandom?

Beyond the Spider-Verse: The Most Anticipated Spidey Sequel Yet

While Johnson kept the details of Beyond the Spider-Verse under wraps (probably to avoid an angry call from Sony), he did take a moment to praise his co-star Shameik Moore, who voices Miles Morales.

“The person I believe deserves the most credit is Shameik, hands down. His performance as Miles—especially when you get to know him and you know how different they are—is incredible. When you know Shameik, and you know what he’s doing to make Miles’s voice sound three-dimensional, it’s a hell of a performance. Miles feels so real to me. Obviously, the animators are so good, the directors are so good, the written work is so good, but Shameik kills it, man. I love the guy and have nothing but respect for him.”

The Spider-Verse films have redefined what superhero animation can be, blending breathtaking visuals, heart-wrenching storytelling, and some of the best multiversal madness we’ve ever seen. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is set to pick up where Across the Spider-Verse left off, with Miles facing multiple versions of himself, a rogue Spider-Man 2099, and the looming presence of The Spot. With Peter B. Parker back in the mix—baby in tow—fans can’t wait to see how the saga concludes.

Jake Johnson’s Directorial Debut: Self-Reliance

Outside the Spider-Verse, Johnson is stepping behind the camera for the first time with Self-Reliance, a unique blend of thriller, comedy, and existential crisis. Johnson not only directed the film but also stars in it, proving that his talents go far beyond voicing everyone’s favorite scruffy Spidey-dad.

The film follows Tommy (Johnson), a down-on-his-luck guy who is given the opportunity of a lifetime—or so he thinks. When a mysterious organization offers him a million dollars to participate in a reality show, he quickly realizes the catch: he must survive being hunted by assassins for 30 days. The only loophole? He can’t be killed while he’s in the company of another person. What follows is a darkly comedic and surprisingly heartfelt journey as Tommy tries to convince people to stick by his side—without sounding completely unhinged.

Johnson is joined by a stellar cast, including Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, and Andy Samberg, making for a wildly entertaining ride. The film explores themes of loneliness, human connection, and, of course, the lengths we’ll go to for cold, hard cash.

With Self-Reliance, Johnson proves he’s not just a scene-stealer in comedies and superhero films—he’s got serious directorial chops too. Whether he’s surviving assassins or mentoring a teenage Spider-Man, Jake Johnson continues to deliver the perfect mix of heart and humor.