Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham (also simply known as Caught in a Ham) is a 2019 American animated superhero short film featuring the Marvel Comics character Spider-Ham and produced by Sony Pictures Animation. Directed and written by Miguel Jiron,[1] it is a prequel to the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and was released as a special feature on that film's digital release on February 26, 2019, and as part of the film's Blu-ray and DVD releases on March 19.[2] John Mulaney reprises his role as Spider-Ham from the film, moments before he entered a portal into the Spider-Verse.[3][4][5]
| Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham | |
|---|---|
 Intertitle for the film | |
| Directed by | Miguel Jiron |
| Written by | Miguel Jiron |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | David Schulenburg |
| Starring |
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| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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| Animation by |
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| Backgrounds by |
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Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 4 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
On September 20, 2019, Caught in a Ham was officially released on YouTube by Marvel HQ under license from Sony Pictures Animation.[5][6]
Plot
editAs Spider-Ham is about to enjoy a hot dog, he finds himself kidnapped by Doctor Crawdaddy. Through fast thinking and criticism of Doctor Crawdaddy's chosen moniker, Spider-Ham manages to defeat the villain and escape. While walking away, Spider-Ham is swallowed in by a portal taking him directly into an alternative dimension.[a] As the short ends, the hot dog pops out of the portal.
Cast
edit- John Mulaney as Spider-Ham
- Aaron LaPlante as Doctor Crawdaddy
Production
editFollowing the successful release of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in December, producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller said they were planning to produce two additional Spider-Man-themed animated features to go along with the original film's Blu-ray and digital releases. The pair also expressed their interest in creating a Spider-Ham short film, with Phil stating that he wanted to "spin off the Spider-Ham cinematic television universe. One thing at a time."[3] Later that same month, producers Amy Pascal and Avi Arad also mentioned their interest in making a spin-off film based on the character.[7][8] Following talk about the potential spin-off and John Mulaney's pitch for a Spider-Ham movie,[9][10] the project was confirmed by Sony Pictures Animation on February 18, 2019.[2][11]
Reception
editThe short film was highly praised by critics. Mike Phalin, writing for ScienceFiction.com, said the short was "pretty good", expressing that "Sony's version of Spider-Ham [was] a bit of a cross between Chuck Jones's version Bugs Bunny [sic] and Daffy Duck under director Bob Clampett."[12] Ashley Robinson, writing for Major Spoilers, complimented the imagery presented in the short as well as John Mulaney's voice acting in the film.[13]
Notes
edit- ^ As depicted in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
References
edit- ^ Gilchrist, Todd (February 26, 2019). "Why Spider-Ham Might Be The Most Powerful Spider-Man Of All (No, Really)". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ a b Coggan, Devon (February 18, 2019). "Watch an exclusive clip from Spider-Ham's new Spider-Verse short". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Barnhardt, Adam (December 2, 2018). "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Producers Want Spider-Ham Spinoffs". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Gilchristw, Todd (February 27, 2019). ""Caught In A Ham" Is The SPIDER-VERSE Prequel You Never Knew You Needed". Nerdist. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ a b Paige, Rachel (September 20, 2019). "New Peter Porker Short Has Spider-Ham Fighting Super Villains and Eating Hot Dogs". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (September 20, 2019). "Watch: Spider-Ham: Caught In a Ham Short Is a Delightful 'Spider-Verse' Prequel Starring John Mulaney". Collider. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Schaefer, Sandy (December 16, 2018). "Spider-Verse Producers Excited About Spider-Ham Spinoff Potential". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Kaye, Ben (December 14, 2018). "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel, Spider-Women spin-off details revealed". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020.
- ^ Heim, Bec (December 19, 2018). "John Mulaney Has The Best Pitch For A Spider-Ham Movie". 4 Your Excitement. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Barfield, Charles (January 8, 2019). "'Spider-Ham: The Series?' Sony Reportedly Interested In 'Spider-Verse' Spin-Off TV Projects". The Playlist. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Heim, Bec (February 19, 2019). "John Mulaney Returns As Peter Porker In First Clip For Spider-Ham Short". 4 Your Excitement. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Phalin, Mike (September 22, 2019). "The Official Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham Animated Short Is Now On YouTube". ScienceFiction.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
- ^ Schleicher, Stephen; Victoria Robinson, Ashley (February 25, 2019). "Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham Review". Major Spoilers. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020.
