Nicolas Cage is stepping into the shadowy world of 1930s New York as Ben Reilly, a.k.a. The Spider, in the upcoming live-action series Spider-Noir, set to debut on both MGM+ and Prime Video this spring. The series, based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, offers a unique take on the web-slinging hero, diverging from the Peter Parker narrative and presenting a seasoned, world-weary private investigator grappling with a troubled past.
The intriguing twist? Viewers will have a choice: watch the series in vibrant color or a stark, silvery monochrome. Prime Video and MGM+ will release both versions of each episode simultaneously, catering to different preferences and enhancing the noir aesthetic. As co-showrunner Oren Uziel explained to Esquire, the decision to focus on Ben Reilly rather than Peter Parker was deliberate. “Ben Reilly has already gone through the entire arc and has seen it all. He’s over it, and trying to move past it. But his past kind of keeps coming back to haunt him. It’s just a different version that we haven’t seen before.”
This isn’t Cage’s first foray into the Spider-Verse. He previously lent his voice to Spider-Man Noir in the acclaimed animated films. However, this live-action adaptation marks his first leading role in a television series, and a significant departure from the typical superhero origin story. The series aims to capture the atmosphere of classic film noir, drawing inspiration from pulp fiction and the gritty realities of 1930s New York.
The creative team behind Spider-Noir is aiming for a specific tone. Uziel, known for co-writing the 2022 action comedy The Lost City, is collaborating with producers Phil Miller and Chris Lord, who were instrumental in the development of the Spider-Verse films. They’ve reimagined classic Spider-Man characters to fit the 1930s setting, transforming them into femme fatales, racketeers, and fall guys.
First-look images released by Prime Video and Esquire reveal a visually striking series. Cage embodies a brooding, trench coat-clad detective, a far cry from the brightly colored spandex often associated with the superhero genre. The images showcase the show’s commitment to the aesthetic of the era, with dimly lit nightclubs, towering skyscrapers, and shadowy alleyways forming the backdrop for The Spider’s investigations.
Alongside Cage, the series features a supporting cast including Lamorne Norris as Robbie Robertson, a journalist striving for success in a challenging environment; Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy, the captivating star of a New York nightclub; and Karen Rodriguez as Janet, the resourceful and loyal secretary to Ben Reilly. According to Deadline, Robertson is described as dedicated and willing to do whatever it takes for his career and his friendship with Ben, while Hardy is presented as a complex character whose self-serving exterior hides a more nuanced truth. Rodriguez’s Janet is portrayed as a scrappy and devoted assistant, eager to help her boss and his business thrive.
The narrative centers on Reilly’s past as a superhero, “The Spider,” and his subsequent retreat from the life after a personal tragedy. The series explores the circumstances that might compel him to don the mask once more, suggesting an extraordinary case will be the catalyst for his return. As MovieWeb notes, the creators envisioned an older, jaded hero, someone who has “seen it all” and experienced a “Chinatown disillusionment moment.”
The dual presentation of the series – in both black and white and color – is a deliberate artistic choice. The black and white version is intended to emphasize the noir aesthetic, while the color version offers a different perspective on the same story. The creators suggest starting with the black and white version and the accompanying interview with Cage, then transitioning to the color version, mirroring a journey akin to Dorothy’s transition from black and white to color in The Wizard of Oz.
Spider-Noir represents a bold move for both Nicolas Cage and the superhero genre. By embracing the conventions of film noir and focusing on a lesser-known iteration of the Spider-Man mythos, the series aims to offer a fresh and compelling take on a beloved character. The dual release format further underscores the show’s commitment to artistic experimentation and its desire to cater to a diverse audience. The series is poised to be a standout offering in the increasingly crowded landscape of superhero television, offering a unique blend of action, mystery, and classic noir storytelling.
