Spider-Plant Man is a British parody short film which parodies the 2002 film adaptation of the superhero character Spider-Man. The film was made for the Comic Relief 2005 appeal and aired on BBC One on 11 March 2005. It features Rowan Atkinson as Peter Piper/Spider-Plant Man and Rachel Stevens as his love-interest Jane-Mary. Additionally, Jim Broadbent also made an appearance, portraying Batman, while Tony Robinson played Robin.

Plot

Peter Piper, a photographer, visits a laboratory where scientists have created a carnivorous spider plant. After being bitten by one of these creatures, Piper gains plant-like powers. He uses his newfound abilities to save his old schoolmate Jane-Mary from a mugging, and she falls in love with him. Taking on the mantle of Spider-Plant Man, Piper embarks on a series of heroic feats throughout London, including retrieving demo tapes for Peter Andre. One night, Spider-Plant Man encounters Batman, who has grown resentful of being overshadowed by Spider-Plant Man's popularity. Batman reveals that he has abducted Jane-Mary and threatens to take her life unless Spider-Plant Man renounces his status as a superhero. Spider-Plant Man deduces that Jane-Mary is trapped atop Tower Bridge and rushes off to save her. Batman pursues him, and they engage in a fierce confrontation. Batman's sidekick Robin arrives and nearly kills Spider-Plant Man. After Spider-Plant Man negotiates with Robin for a 25% cut on all pajama sales and the launch of his own cereal brand, Robin switches allegiances and defeats Batman. Spider-Plant Man and Jane-Mary start to kiss. He then asks Jane-Mary whether she will marry him, and she responds, "Who's asking me, Spider-Plant Man or the man behind the spandex?" He replies, "You choose". Jane-Mary is then shown lying in the sun on a beach, next to Piper who is still in his Spider-Plant suit. Piper then turns to the audience, smiling as then a web shoots out with the word "END".

Cast

Development

Spider-Plant Man originated while Rowan Atkinson and some other writers were brainstorming ideas for a possible fifth series of Blackadder. One of these ideas was Batadder, a parody of Batman, where Atkinson would play the title character, and Robinson would play his sidekick based on Robin. Plans for the fifth Blackadder series eventually fell through and that particular idea gave rise to the Comic Relief special. Ed Bye of Red Dwarf fame directed the episode "Spider-Plant Man" and used CGI from The Farm and Steve Deakin-Davies' Ambition company.

Reception

The film has been described as follows: "As the premise is utterly ridiculous it should be no surprise that the superhero movie archetype is ridiculed throughout. ", and called "a classic sketch."