Spider-Noir Brings 8 Marvel Characters to Screen in a Very Different Way

Spider-Noir offers a fresh take on beloved Marvel characters, reimagining them in a captivating noir setting. This installment of the Spider-Verse takes us to a 1930s-inspired world where Nicolas Cage voices Ben Reilly as the Spider-Man of his reality. While the core concept might seem familiar, this isn’t the same Spider-Noir seen in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Showrunners Oren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot have a chance to build this version of the character from the ground up.

Those who read comic books will already have a general idea of what’s happening, as Uziel and Lightfoot are drawing inspiration from classic comic book storylines that influenced Spider-Verse. However, these adaptations are aimed at dedicated fans, as they feature characters that aren’t widely known to casual viewers. Here’s a breakdown of the Spider-Man characters being used in Spider-Noir.

Nicolas Cage is Ben Reilly / Spider-Noir

Nicolas Cage is a familiar face in both superhero and action movies. Before taking on the role of Spider-Man Noir, he famously played Ghost Rider in films from 2007 and 2012. In this new project, Cage portrays a struggling version of Spider-Man who has reinvented himself as a private investigator. This Spider-Man originates from the Great Depression era in the comics, and his mission is to dismantle the Goblin’s criminal organization after his Uncle Ben was killed while advocating for workers’ rights.

This Spider-Man isn’t the familiar Peter Parker; it’s Ben Reilly. This character comes from the comics, where he’s known as the Scarlet Spider – a clone of the original Spider-Man. According to Uziel, in an interview with Esquire, Peter Parker often feels like a young, inexperienced teenager, still finding his way. Ben Reilly, however, is a more mature and world-weary character, shaped by a difficult past before the events of Spider-Noir.

Brendan Gleeson is Silvermane

Silvermane is a major crime boss and frequent enemy of Kingpin in the Marvel comics. He’s typically depicted as being fixated on achieving immortality – fans of the 1990s Spider-Man: The Animated Series might recall his quest for an immortality tablet. In this new take on the character, played by acclaimed actor Brendan Gleeson (known for roles in State of the Union, Mr. Mercedes, and the Harry Potter films), Silvermane is an Irish gangster who smuggles illegal alcohol in New York City. Notably, this version exists in a world where Kingpin doesn’t exist, allowing Silvermane to operate without being eclipsed by his rival.

Abraham Popoola is Tombstone

British actor Abraham Popoola is known for his roles in shows like Starstruck, The Rig, and Slow Horses. He’s also appeared in the Andor series and recently voiced Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Harry Potter audiobooks. “As a huge comic book fan,” Popoola told Lifestyle Asia, “getting to be a part of that world in real life is a dream come true, and seeing all these characters come to life is amazing.” When Sony gave him the chance to reimagine the villain Tombstone for Spider-Noir, Popoola was committed to staying true to the character’s background and established story.

I’m really excited about Tombstone! It’s wild to learn that the version of him in Spider-Noir actually served with Flint Marko in the army. And get this – we’re going to see three different versions of Tombstone in 2026! Marvin Jones III is playing him in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will be his first time as the character in live-action. Plus, there’s a younger version appearing in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Eugene Byrd, and they’re finally turning him into the true Tombstone we’ve been waiting for. Seriously, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of Tombstone!

Jack Huston is Sandman

The Sandman is a well-known Spider-Man enemy. He’s appeared in live-action films before, played by Thomas Haden Church in Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man: No Way Home (with the latter using CGI and footage from the earlier film). In the comics, Sandman originally wasn’t a major villain; he gained his powers after an accident involving a nuclear experiment, which fused sand to his body and transformed him. He’s been a recurring opponent for Spider-Man since 1963.

The Sandman character in the original Spider-Man Noir comics worked for the Crime Master and was feared for his violent methods. He was also a powerful opponent, able to take on Spider-Man Noir. The upcoming Spider-Noir Amazon series appears to be taking a different approach, presenting a more classic Sandman villain. Unlike the comics, which aimed for a realistic tone, the show will feature many super-villains. In this version, Sandman is portrayed as a former soldier and an ally of Tombstone.

Li Jun Li is Cat Hardy

Li Jun Li plays Cat Hardy in Spider-Noir, a character inspired by the classic Spider-Man villain Black Cat. Like the original Felicia Hardy, Cat is a skilled thief with a complex relationship with Spider-Man. The series builds on the Black Cat nightclub connection from the comics, reimagining her as a lounge singer who works for Silvermane and is romantically involved with Flint Marko. According to Li Jun Li, the character was developed by drawing on Felicia Hardy’s backstory and incorporating inspiration from various classic ‘femme fatale’ characters.

Andrew Lewis Caldwell is Megawatt

Andrew Lewis Caldwell, known for his roles in shows like Danger Force, Henry Danger, and Cursed Friends, plays the character Megawatt. In the comics, Megawatt is Dirk Leydon, a Spider-Man villain who isn’t as famous as some others. He has the power to store and unleash electricity, and surprisingly, is also portrayed as a movie star. While often mistaken for the villain Electro, Megawatt is a separate character. The show Spider-Noir specifically uses Megawatt to differentiate itself and create its own unique stories.

Lamorne Morris is Robbie Robertson

Lamorne Morris, who has been in superhero projects like Bloodshot, is taking on a major new role. He’ll be playing Robbie Robertson, a well-known character from the Spider-Man universe. Traditionally, Robbie Robertson is an editor at the Daily Bugle and works for the demanding J. Jonah Jameson. But in Spider-Noir, he’s a former Bugle reporter and a trusted friend of Ben Reilly.

Randy Oglesby is Chief McNamara

Randy Oglesby, a well-known actor from shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, For All Mankind, and Independence Day, plays the role of Police Chief McNamara. The character seems inspired by a minor, but memorable, Spider-Man villain called the Fool-Killer.

Non-Marvel and Supporting Characters

Karen Rodriguez is Janet

Karen Rodriguez (known for her roles in The Big Leap, Power Book IV: Force, and Acapulco) plays Janet, a key character who works as Ben Reilly’s secretary. The rest of the cast includes:

Lukas Haas (The Revenant, War of the Worlds, The Righteous Gemstones) plays Silvermane’s second-in-command, Winston
Richard Robichaux (Paradise, Big Shot, Ocean’s Eight) is Walters, chief of the Bugle
Cameron Britton (Paradise, The Umbrella Academy, The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window) is Donegal, a private eye who works with Ben Reilly
Jack Mikesell (Pluribus, Fear the Walking Dead, Super Pumped) is an original character named Addison. Another super, he has combustion powers and becomes central to Ben’s case. He bears superficial resemblance to a comic book character called the Molten Man
Michael Kostroff (Law & Order: SVU, Platonic, Animal Kingdom) is Mayor Morris, who wants to clean up the streets and take Silvermane down

2026-05-26 20:14