Nicolas Cage’s Superhero Isn’t Called Spider-Man in Spider-Noir Series

by

Nicolas Cage’s new animated series, based on Spider-Noir, won’t actually call its hero ‘Spider-Man.’ The show reimagines the Marvel universe with a 1930s film noir style, and the character will be known by a different name.

Nicolas Cage’s Ben Reilly isn’t named Spider-Man in the Spider-Noir Series

In the animated series Spider-Noir, Nicolas Cage voices Ben Reilly, a different Spider-Man than the one he played in Into the Spider-Verse. The show intentionally refers to his character simply as “The Spider,” a nod to classic, shadowy heroes from old detective stories like The Spirit and The Shadow.

Esquire Magazine reported that the decision to change Spider-Man’s identity came down to the story’s style and what suited the character. Showrunner Oren Uziel explained that Peter Parker is typically seen as a young, inexperienced high school student – someone still on the rise. In contrast, this new version allows for a more world-weary and cynical hero. As executive producer Phil Lord put it, this Spider-Man is “older and jaded, and not afraid to punch a guy in the face drunkenly.” Co-producer Chris Miller added that this character has already experienced a major disillusionment, something that happened a long time ago.

According to writer Uziel, this version of Ben Reilly is experiencing a sort of breakdown, feeling disillusioned after everything he’s been through. He’s trying to move on from his past as a hero, but it continues to affect him. Writer Chris Miller adds that the series will reveal the story behind his name, Ben Riley.

The show features Spider-Noir in both classic black and white and a colorized version. According to Uziel, the color version appears as if an old black and white film has been subtly colored. Lord and Miller have given this color treatment a special name – “True-Hue” – complete with its own unique logo and font.

The new series will premiere in spring 2026 on both MGM+ and Prime Video. It’s set in 1930s New York City and features a supporting cast including Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, Karen Rodriguez as Janet, and Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy, a character inspired by Felicia Hardy. Brendan Gleeson stars as the mob boss Silvermane, and Jack Huston plays Flint Marko.

Read More

2026-02-11 07:06