Eight years ago, a unique, film-noir style Spider-Man, voiced by Nicolas Cage, first appeared on screen. Now, Spider-Noir is cleverly building on that memorable character from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This new series, a Sony production with the involvement of Spider-Verse creators Phil Lord and Chris Miller, takes place in a 1930s New York City where superpowered individuals are appearing during the Prohibition era and as Nazism gains strength globally.
As a huge Spider-Man fan, I was really intrigued by the first trailer for the Spider-Noir series! It’s got such a dark and gritty vibe, and it’s clear this isn’t your typical friendly neighborhood hero. Apparently, this Spider-Man is actually Ben Reilly, not Peter Parker, and he’s going through a really rough patch – think bar fights and a bit too much to drink. It’s actually pretty wild because Sony previously had a deal with Marvel saying Spider-Man characters shouldn’t drink at all! It definitely makes you wonder who this damaged Spider-Man is, and what Nicolas Cage is going to bring to the role.
Nicolas Cage is The Spider
Okay, so it’s a little confusing – Nicolas Cage isn’t exactly Spider-Man. They call him ‘The Spider’ in this version. Visually, his costume is super similar to Spider-Man Noir from Into the Spider-Verse, which is really cool. But this Spider is a much more melancholy guy, a real downer. He still got his powers from a spider bite, like most alternate Spider-Men we’ve seen, but instead of being a reporter, he’s using those powers to work as a private detective. It’s a really interesting twist!
The Spider-Man Noir version of Peter Parker grew up during the Great Depression. After his uncle Ben was murdered for helping workers organize at a factory, he vowed to take down the Goblin’s criminal organization. He got his powers when a spider statue shattered, unleashing a swarm of spiders, and one of them bit him. Like other Spider-Men, he committed to fighting for justice and battling criminals, often teaming up with surprising partners like Black Cat (Felicia Hardy).
The Spider-Man Noir comics are significantly grimmer than most, which accounts for why this Spider-Man has sometimes resorted to killing – something his Aunt May strongly objects to, as she fears it compromises his core goodness. This version of Spider-Man is constantly tested by hardship and fights to maintain his moral compass in a dark and unforgiving world. While Sony might be making some changes, the fundamental characteristics of the character remain evident.
The Spider Likely Has All Spider-Man’s Powers, But With a Twist
As a huge Spider-Man fan, I’ve been dissecting the Spider-Noir trailer, and it’s clear this Spider definitely has powers – all the classic ones, it looks like! Interestingly, his webbing seems to be organic, which makes sense considering he probably isn’t a tech genius like Peter Parker. But what really grabbed me was a line about him having to ‘suppress’ certain impulses – it hints the spider bite didn’t just give him abilities, but also some pretty dark instincts. It feels like a nod to the comic book roots, and it makes me wonder if he’s starting to lose himself in the whole vigilante thing, going too far down a dangerous path.
The trailer for Spider-Noir portrays a very solitary Spider-Man, though a possible connection with Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li) is suggested. Inspired by the Noir version of Black Cat, she doesn’t appear to be a positive influence, and may even push him away from his better nature. The Spider’s loneliness might stem from a past personal tragedy, as a scene in the trailer evokes the famous “Death of Gwen Stacy” storyline, hinting at a haunting memory. If this is the case, his powers seem to be causing him significant distress.
Why The Spider Doesn’t Call Himself Peter Parker
The trailer for Spider-Noir reveals that this Spider-Man is actually Ben Reilly, not Peter Parker. In the comics, Ben Reilly – named in honor of Uncle Ben and using Aunt May’s family name – was a clone of Spider-Man who went by the name Scarlet Spider. According to showrunner Oren Uziel, they chose Ben Reilly because Peter Parker is so strongly associated with being a teenager – young and still finding his way. Lords and Miller added that they wanted a Spider-Man who felt older and more world-weary, someone who’d already experienced a major disillusionment a long time ago.
There’s likely another reason for the name change, too. Marvel usually has strict rules about how Peter Parker is depicted, with certain key traits that can’t be altered. By using the name Ben Reilly, Spider-Noir gains some distance from those rules, giving the show more freedom to explore new and original ideas.
What are your thoughts on the Spider-Noir trailer? Share your opinion in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-02-12 20:42