Big Jack Horner could very well be described as a pig, but perhaps John Mulaney’s first animated movie role deserves that title even more. Whether you call him Spider-Ham or Peter Porker, this Spider-Man variation, first introduced in the 1983 Marvel one-shot “Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham,” became a beloved addition to 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.”
Spider-Ham is one of several alternate Spideys to make their way to Miles Morales’ (Shameik Moore) universe. Porker’s past life saw him as a spider whose life was changed after being bitten by a radioactive pig. Since then, he’s balanced life as a photographer for the Daily Deagle and a cartoony crime fighter. Mulaney’s distinct vocals helped sell Porker’s goofy personality in both “Spiderverse” and the short film “Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham,” but the actor believes the character still has some more mileage.
While it doesn’t appear that Spider-Ham will be back for the upcoming sequel “Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse,” that hasn’t stopped Mulaney from pushing for the pig’s return elsewhere. “[Spider-Ham] is a fun guy who is capable of great rage,” Mulaney told Variety in a 2018 interview. “To go see him back at the Daily Deagle — I could see a Watergate-like story at the Deagle where he’s both a reporter and Spider-Ham by night.” Similarly, “Spiderverse” producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller have also expressed interest in seeing more shorts featuring the character.
