Who is Ben Reilly/The Spider in Spider-Noir? Everything you need to know

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Nicolas Cage will reprise his role in the Spider-Verse, but his next appearance will be in a grittier, more noir-style story planned for release in May 2026.

The new Spider-Noir features Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a tired private detective operating in 1930s New York. He also secretly fights crime as the masked hero known as The Spider. But this isn’t a simple retelling of the classic black-and-white Peter Parker story – expect some unexpected twists.

Spider-Man Noir in Marvel comics is usually depicted as Peter Parker from a timeline set during the Great Depression. However, a new comic series has changed things – the Spider-Man Noir persona is now Ben Reilly, a character with a long and complex backstory in Spider-Man stories.

Here’s a breakdown of who Ben Reilly is and how he relates to Peter Parker and Spider-Noir.

Who is Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir?

I’ve always been fascinated by alternate versions of Spider-Man, and the Spider-Noir storyline is a standout for me. It stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, and he plays him as this really cool, world-weary private detective operating in 1930s New York. It’s a fantastic take on the character!

This Ben Reilly, unlike the cheerful Spider-Man most people know, seems damaged and burdened by a difficult past. He used to be the city’s sole masked hero, known as The Spider, but he stopped fighting crime after a devastating event that continues to affect him.

So, from what I gather, the show centers around Ben getting reluctantly dragged back into a life he thought he’d left behind. It looks like a captivating case – a lounge singer named Cat Hardy, played by Li Jun Li, is the one who pulls him in. And it’s not just any case; we’re talking mobsters, people with superpowers, and a whole lot of buried secrets from Ben’s past. Sounds like a wild ride!

This isn’t your typical Spider-Man adventure. It’s a darker, more detective-focused story, drawing inspiration from classic film noir and the hardboiled detective tales of the past.

Is Ben Reilly Peter Parker?

It’s complicated, but essentially, Ben Reilly is a clone of Spider-Man (Peter Parker) created by the villain Miles Warren, also known as the Jackal. Ben initially thought he was a distinct person, but later took the name Ben Reilly – “Ben” to honor Uncle Ben, and “Reilly” from Aunt May’s family name.

Ben eventually became a celebrated hero, best known as the Scarlet Spider. He even briefly became Spider-Man himself when Peter Parker temporarily stopped being the hero.

The Spider-Noir TV show doesn’t seem to be using the clone storyline from the comics in a straightforward way. Instead, it’s using the name Ben Reilly to emphasize that this Spider-Man is a different person than Peter Parker.

This Spider-Man is notably older, more unusual, and carries deeper emotional scars than most fans are accustomed to seeing.

How does Nicolas Cage fit into Spider-Noir?

Nicolas Cage previously voiced Spider-Man Noir in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. His portrayal quickly became popular with fans, largely due to his over-the-top acting, distinctive look, and quirky habit of constantly trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

This isn’t a sequel to the old Nic Cage Spider-Man movie, but the series picks up where that version left off. It brings Cage back as the same wildly dramatic, darkly dressed Spider-hero, perfectly suited for a gritty, old-fashioned detective story.

This live-action version feels more realistic and emotionally vulnerable compared to the cartoon. Nicolas Cage’s involvement also hints that the show will continue to embrace the strange and unusual aspects of the character – a detective who’s also a superhero and a mysterious, nocturnal figure.

Who else is in Spider-Noir?

I’m so excited about Spider-Noir! Besides Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly/The Spider, the cast is amazing. Lamorne Morris, who I loved in New Girl and Fargo, is playing Robbie Robertson as this really cool investigative journalist who helps Ben out. And Li Jun Li, from Sinners, is going to be Cat Hardy, a lounge singer who gets caught up in the mystery. But the best part? Brendan Gleeson – seriously, The Banshees of Inisherin was incredible – is playing Silvermane, a major crime boss who’s going to be a huge threat in the show’s underworld.

The show will also reimagine classic Spider-Man villains like Sandman, Tombstone, and Megawatt, hinting that Spider-Noir will develop a unique group of enemies fitting the 1930s setting.

Being a Spider-Man fan is great right now! The recent Spider-Noir was a fun preview of what’s to come, and fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st.

Authors

Ben Williams

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2026-05-25 10:35