Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Series Just Outdid The MCU’s Spidey in 2 Huge Ways

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While not the first live-action Spider-Man series, Spider-Noir is arguably the best. Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Spider-Man Noir, originally from the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and delivers a compelling performance in this new, noir-style spinoff – and he does it in a way that’s uniquely Nicolas Cage.

The animated series Spider-Noir offers a fresh take on the Spider-Man mythos with its unique 1930s Film Noir setting. Surprisingly, it’s already excelling at some classic Spider-Man themes, even surpassing Sony and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in certain areas. The tragic origin story feels particularly fitting for Ben Reilly, a damaged detective whose backstory naturally lends itself to the Noir genre. Even more impressively, Spider-Noir delivers action sequences that are arguably better than those in the MCU, with one standout scene proving its potential.

Spider-Noir‘s Bar Fight is Spider-Man (& Nic Cage) At His Best

Be warned, spoilers ahead! In the seventh episode of Spider-Noir, titled “Nobody’s Hero,” Ben Reilly (played by Cage) is struggling in his fight against the crime boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson) and his powerful gang. Things get worse when Ben’s love interest, Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), unexpectedly turns against him, revealing his secret identity as The Spider to the suspicious Dr. Faber (Amy Aquino). Ben copes with this betrayal by getting heavily drunk at a bar. While there, he overhears people criticizing The Spider and blaming him for the city’s problems, which enrages him. He storms out, then quickly changes his mind, puts on his mask, and goes back inside to start a fight.

Director Greg Yaitanes (known for House of the Dragon and Your Friends and Neighbors) films a fight scene that’s reminiscent of the iconic bar fight from Kingsman: The Secret Service, but with a distinctly Spider-Man feel. Nicolas Cage delivers his lines with his signature energetic style, and the fight choreography perfectly captures the essence of Spider-Man’s combat – utilizing webs, quick reflexes, acrobatics, and super strength to give his character a clear edge, even when facing multiple opponents in a tight space.

The MCU Can Learn From Spider-Noir

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has quickly become a favorite among modern audiences, but there’s still room for the character to grow. Despite Holland’s impressive athleticism – he even did backflips at his audition – his fight scenes haven’t quite reached the level of other iconic battles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s worth noting that most of his opponents have been incredibly powerful, either through advanced technology or inherent superpowers.

The Spider-Man portrayed in the Netherlands hasn’t spent much time fighting typical criminals, and that’s a key takeaway from Spider-Noir: blend gritty street fights with battles against supervillains. While Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man faces powerful foes like Megawatt and Sandman, he also gets into a fantastic bar brawl. It’s a unique, energetic take on the character that feels like one of the most well-rounded live-action versions we’ve seen.

Beyond the visuals, the fight choreography is a real highlight – it’s better than most TV shows and cleverly uses Spider-Man’s abilities. The show also nails the humor, like when Spider-Man fights while seemingly intoxicated. This is exactly the kind of playful touch the Spider-Man movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe need, and hopefully director Destin Daniel Cretton will bring it to Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The series also does a great job of making Peter Parker’s past feel impactful, just as it affects Ben Reilly’s journey. If the buzz is accurate, Brand New Day has the potential to become a major MCU event by exploring Spider-Man’s emotional struggles and trauma.

You can now watch Spider-Noir on Prime Video. Join the conversation about the show on the ComicBook Forum! And don’t forget, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is coming to theaters on July 31st.

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2026-06-03 03:10