All 5 Marvel Characters Confirmed for Spider-Noir (Including a Villain Never in the Films)

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After decades, Spider-Man is swinging onto live-action TV with the new Amazon Prime Video series, Spider-Noir, launching in March. Nicolas Cage will star as Ben Reilly/The Spider, a different take on the Spider-Man Noir character he already voices in the Spider-Verse animated movies. Similar to those films, this version of Ben Reilly is an older hero operating in a 1930s-style, noir-inspired New York City.

We already knew that the Spider-Noir story will center around Spider-Man being the sole hero in his universe during his crime-fighting days. Now, it’s been confirmed that the series will also include at least five Marvel characters, and one of them is a Spider-Man villain who hasn’t appeared in any of the live-action films yet!

5) Ben Reilly/The Spider

Nic Cage’s character in the Spider-Man universe is a blend of several existing heroes, most notably Spider-Man Noir. This version, known as Peter Benjamin Parker from Earth-90214 (or Earth-Noir), originates from a 1930s Great Depression setting. He gained spider-powers after being bitten by a spider linked to an ancient idol and became a vigilante fighting crime in New York City, specifically targeting the criminal Norman Osborn. Before the official start of World War II, Spider-Man Noir undertook missions to combat the Nazis. However, unlike the traditional Spider-Man, this version is much more ruthless and isn’t afraid to seriously injure or even kill his enemies.

As a huge Spider-Man fan, the name ‘Ben Reilly’ always intrigued me. It wasn’t just another villain – it was the name taken by a clone of Peter Parker in the main Marvel Universe! This clone first showed up back in 1975, created by the villain Jackal as the ultimate Spider-Man foe. But things got interesting because the clone actually had a good heart, just like Peter, and they ended up working together to stop the Jackal. Peter believed the clone died in that fight, but it turned out he discovered he was a clone and decided to start a new life, letting Peter live his. It’s a really cool, complicated story!

Ben Reilly reappeared in the 1990s during the well-known “Clone Saga” storyline. He made amends with Peter Parker, became the hero known as the “Scarlet Spider,” and even briefly took over as Spider-Man, allowing Peter to step away and live a normal life. Since then, Ben Reilly has repeatedly appeared in Spider-Man stories, sometimes as a replacement Spider-Man and other times as an enemy.

The upcoming animated series will largely maintain the essence of Spider-Man Noir from the comics for its version of the hero, known as “The Spider.” However, this marks the first significant departure from Ben Reilly’s established backstory, and Marvel fans are eager to see if the series offers more than just a nod to the existing character. Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller (known for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) have hinted at a deeper purpose behind the name, with Lord saying they’ll reveal the reasons later.

“The reason he’s named Ben Riley is explained,” Miller added. “We’ll leave it at that.”

4) Robbie Robertson

Joseph “Robbie” Robertson has been a key figure in Spider-Man stories since the 1960s, and is notable as one of the first important Black supporting characters in comic books. He’s a top editor at the Daily Bugle, the news organization headed by the often-grumpy J. Jonah Jameson. Robbie also has connections to the criminal world, as he grew up with the supervillain Tombstone. He provides a calm and rational contrast to Jameson’s explosive personality.

Lamorne Morris, known from New Girl, will play Spider-Noir as a freelance reporter on the hunt for a compelling story about the city’s underbelly. He joins his friend Ben Reilly, hoping to uncover a scandalous tale. Showrunner Oren Uziel has stated that the relationship between J. Jonah Jameson and Robbie Robertson will be mirrored in the dynamic between Ben Reilly and Robbie.

Uziel described the two investigators as longtime friends with a strong connection. However, they have very different outlooks on life. Robbie is a firm believer in luck and always expects the best, while Ben is a pessimist who anticipates things will go wrong. This difference in perspective – Robbie’s optimism versus Ben’s cynicism – creates a compelling dynamic between them.

3) Cat Hardy

Li Jun Li, known for her role in Sinners, plays Cat Hardy, who is portrayed as the captivating and dangerous woman at the heart of this noir story. According to the creator, the character is inspired by classic Hollywood stars like Rita Hayworth and Lauren Bacall – particularly the dynamic between Humphrey Bogart and Bacall. There’s also a touch of Kim Basinger’s character from L.A. Confidential in how Cat Hardy operates within the plot, making her a blend of various iconic influences.

The description of ‘Cat Hardy’ as “an amalgam of a lot of different things” has led many Marvel fans to believe she’s a version of Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) from another universe. Black Cat and Spider-Man have a well-known, complicated relationship, and Felicia is often portrayed as a skilled thief and a morally ambiguous character. Given this, introducing a variation of her within the darker, film noir-inspired Spider-Verse seems like a logical and exciting move.

2) Flint Marko

Many fans of the Spider-Man movies remember Flint Marko as The Sandman, a complex villain who appeared in both Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home. Originally from Queens, New York, Flint’s life took a turn towards crime. While escaping from prison, he was exposed to radioactive sand, which turned him into a being made of living sand. Although he’s known for fighting Spider-Man and other Marvel heroes, Sandman has also found redemption and acted as an anti-hero at times.

In the upcoming film Spider-Noir, Jack Huston, known for his role in Boardwalk Empire, will play Flint Marko as a classic, tough-guy enforcer. He might even crack jokes like telling enemies to “go pound sand,” but ultimately, he’s working for a powerful crime boss.

1) Silvermane

Silvio Manfredi, known as Silvermane, is a powerful crime boss in Marvel comics, leading a group called the Maggia, which is similar to the mafia. He began as an older, white-haired gangster who was a major threat, sometimes even rivaling Kingpin and other top criminals. As he aged, Silvermane desperately sought ways to stay alive, first through a youth serum and later by transferring his mind into a robotic body.

I’m so excited for Spider-Noir! They’ve cast Brendan Gleeson – you might know him from Troy, Safe House, and a bunch of other great films – as Silvermane, and it’s a huge deal because this is the first time we’ll ever see the character in live-action! From what I’ve heard, Silvermane’s going to be a really interesting character, living in constant fear after barely surviving several attempts on his life, including one attack by someone with fire powers.

Uziel explained that many great detective stories involve two seemingly separate cases that eventually merge into one. He hinted that while Silvermane appears to be the main villain, the events surrounding him are actually tied to Ben’s personal history, causing Ben to become increasingly consumed by his own past.

The animated series Spider-Noir is expected to premiere on Prime Video in early 2026. Join the discussion with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-11 21:42