Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Series Can Finally Give Him the Superhero Release He’s Deserved for 26 Years

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Although Marvel Studios is planning to release fewer projects this year, there are still several movies and TV shows based on Marvel comics coming out. One of the most anticipated isn’t connected to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. In May, the Spider-Noir series will debut on Prime Video. This show is a spin-off of the popular Spider-Verse films and stars Nicolas Cage as the main character. However, instead of playing the same version of Spider-Man from the animated movies, Cage will play Ben Reilly, a Spider-Man variant who is at a low point in his life. Spider-Noir is expected to offer a unique and interesting take on the superhero genre with its distinctive look and storytelling approach.

While Nicolas Cage is new to leading a superhero TV series with Spider-Noir, he’s no stranger to comic book projects. Though his past attempts in the genre haven’t been hugely successful, there’s hope that Spider-Noir will finally give him the superhero breakthrough he’s been waiting for.

Nicolas Cage’s Superhero Movie History Explained

Superhero movies have become incredibly popular, giving many actors a significant career lift. Nicolas Cage, however, hasn’t benefited from that trend. Several superhero projects he was involved with were never even made. He was once slated to play Superman in a Tim Burton film called Superman Lives, but the movie was ultimately cancelled, partly due to the negative reaction to Batman & Robin. When Superman Returns was finally being made, Cage wasn’t even considered for the role, meaning he missed his opportunity to play the iconic hero – until much later, that is.

In 2023, audiences finally saw Nicolas Cage play Superman in The Flash. His version of Kal-El appeared as part of a multiverse scene that brought back several past actors who played DC heroes – a choice that proved controversial, especially as it included actors who had passed away. While the moment was intended as a fun nod to the unmade film Superman Lives (showing Cage’s Superman fighting a giant spider, as seen in the original script), it was overshadowed by questionable creative choices, poor special effects, and a lack of clear purpose for many of the cameos. The multiverse concept can work well to enhance a story (like in Spider-Man: No Way Home), but The Flash seemed to include these appearances simply for the sake of having them. Cage himself was confused by his short role, even wondering if CGI or AI had been used to alter his performance.

Nicolas Cage’s experience with Marvel in live-action films wasn’t much more successful. He appeared in two Ghost Rider movies, both of which received poor reviews and didn’t perform well in theaters. After Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance earned just $132.5 million worldwide, plans for a third film were canceled, and the character hasn’t been featured in a movie since. While there’s speculation that Ghost Rider might appear in future Avengers films like Doomsday or Secret Wars, Cage has stated he isn’t relying on a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Surprisingly, Nicolas Cage has delivered some of his best superhero performances in animated films. He voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Superman in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, but these were supporting roles and didn’t fully showcase his potential. While he’s fantastic and funny in these animated projects, voicing these iconic heroes, Spider-Noir feels like the breakthrough role he’s been working towards for over two decades.

Spider-Noir Can Complete Nicolas Cage’s Superhero Redemption Arc

Okay, let’s be real – Nic Cage has definitely been in some… interesting movies. He’s become a bit of a joke for his, shall we say, intense acting style, and not everything he’s done has been a hit. But honestly, the guy is incredibly talented and always entertaining. He’s got an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas and another nomination for Adaptation, which proves he can absolutely nail a role when the material is good. The best Cage movies are the ones that really get him – they know how to use his unique energy just the right amount. I heard a great story about Into the Spider-Verse – apparently, he figured out the filmmakers actually wanted him to go completely over-the-top, and that’s when everything clicked. It was perfect!

Nicolas Cage’s success proves he’s incredibly talented, and he absolutely could lead a superhero film. He’s simply had some unfortunate choices in the past. While Ghost Rider seemed like a good opportunity at the time – superhero movies were becoming popular thanks to X-Men and Spider-Man – it didn’t work out as planned. However, that wasn’t entirely his fault. Luckily, he’s now getting a fresh chance to shine as the main star.

Nicolas Cage seems perfectly cast as Spider-Man Noir, both in animation and now in live-action. He brought a unique blend of classic detective and cartoon energy to the animated version, and the trailer for Spider-Noir shows he’s nailing the role in the new film. He portrays Ben Reilly as a world-weary, cynical hero battling inner demons and an identity crisis, and it’s instantly compelling. While the film explores familiar superhero themes, it feels innovative in its approach. Cage excels at playing characters who are pushed to their limits, and this role appears to be a perfect fit for his talents.

As a huge fan of those classic film noir movies, I was immediately drawn to Spider-Noir. The black and white look is gorgeous, and honestly, it feels like the perfect fit for Nicolas Cage. He’s known for his unique, let’s say ‘intense’ acting style, and I think that’s going to work in this world – it won’t feel jarring at all. It really feels like this is the superhero role Cage was meant to play. That’s why Spider-Noir is easily the most anticipated Marvel TV show for me in 2026. I’m really hoping it delivers on all that promise and gives Cage a fantastic ending to his run as a superhero.

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2026-02-22 22:42