Prime Video has unveiled the first tantalizing glimpses of Spider-Noir, the upcoming live-action series starring Nicolas Cage as the hardboiled, fedora-wearing vigilante known as The Spider. Set against the shadowy backdrop of 1930s New York City during the Great Depression, the eight-episode show reimagines the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man Noir with a mature, introspective edge. Cage, who previously voiced a delightfully eccentric version of the character in Sony’s animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), now brings him to life in his first-ever leading television role. The series is poised to premiere in Spring 2026, first on MGM+ in the United States with a global rollout on Prime Video the following day, offering viewers a unique dual-format experience: “Authentic Black & White” or “True-Hue Full Color.”
The recently released first-look images capture the essence of this Depression-era superhero saga. In stark monochrome shots, Cage appears as Ben Reilly—a weathered, down-on-his-luck private investigator whose glory days as the city’s sole masked protector are long behind him. Dressed in a trench coat, fedora, and gloves, he exudes classic noir grit: cigarette smoke curling in dimly lit offices, rain-slicked streets reflecting neon signs, and shadowy alleyways hiding secrets. One striking photo shows him unmasked, his face lined with regret and resolve, staring out at a corrupt world from behind a desk cluttered with case files. In color versions, the palette bursts with saturated hues—deep reds, moody blues, and golden sepia tones—that evoke a stylized, almost dreamlike take on vintage Technicolor films. The duality allows audiences to choose their immersion: the high-contrast black-and-white honors traditional film noir aesthetics, while the vibrant color adds a modern, cinematic flair that highlights the era’s glamour amid hardship.
Cage’s Ben Reilly is no youthful Peter Parker. In this alternate timeline, Reilly is an aging hero haunted by a deeply personal tragedy that forced him to hang up his web-shooters years ago. Now operating as a private eye, he is pulled back into the fray when a string of assassination attempts targets powerful crime boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson). The conspiracy draws Reilly into a web of corruption, mob intrigue, and lingering supernatural threats tied to his past as The Spider. As he grapples with guilt, loss, and the moral ambiguities of vigilantism in a lawless city, Reilly must confront whether he can reclaim his mantle—or if the darkness has changed him forever.
The noir influence runs deep. Showrunner Oren Uziel, drawing from the 2009 Spider-Man Noir comic miniseries by David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky, and Carmine Di Giandomenico, infuses the story with hardboiled detective tropes: cynical narration, femme fatales, double-crosses, and atmospheric urban decay. Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, architects of the groundbreaking Spider-Verse films, ensure the series maintains a connection to that animated universe while forging its own path. Cage’s performance blends his signature intensity—part brooding gravitas, part eccentric charm—with influences from Humphrey Bogart’s iconic roles in classics like The Maltese Falcon. Uziel has described the character as roughly 70% Bogart and 30% Bugs Bunny, capturing Cage’s playful yet menacing delivery that made his animated Spider-Noir so memorable.
The supporting cast brings additional depth to this gritty world. Lamorne Morris (New Girl, Fargo) plays Robbie Robertson, the principled journalist whose investigative work intersects with Reilly’s case. Li Jun Li (Babylon, Sinners) portrays Cat Hardy, a seductive nightclub singer whose allure masks dangerous secrets. Karen Rodriguez appears as Janet, a resourceful ally navigating the city’s underbelly. Jack Huston and Brendan Gleeson round out the key players, with Gleeson’s Silvermane serving as a formidable antagonist whose empire teeters on the edge of collapse. Guest stars including Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, and others add layers to the ensemble, populating the streets with mobsters, informants, and everyday citizens caught in the crossfire.
Visually, Spider-Noir promises to stand out. The dual-format option—black-and-white for purists seeking authentic noir shadows and high-contrast drama, or full color for those wanting richer textures and period vibrancy—enhances the viewing experience. Cage has praised both versions, noting the black-and-white evokes classic cinema while the color version feels “super saturated and gorgeous,” potentially appealing to younger viewers while introducing them to older film styles. Production captures 1930s New York with meticulous detail: art deco skyscrapers, speakeasies, Model T cars, and fog-shrouded docks, all rendered with a blend of practical sets and subtle VFX to maintain the grounded, tactile feel.
This marks a significant milestone for Cage, whose career has seen a remarkable resurgence with acclaimed indie films like Pig and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Transitioning to television for the first time in a lead capacity allows him to explore a complex, serialized character arc—something he has expressed excitement about. His return to Spider-Noir bridges the animated and live-action Marvel worlds, paying homage to the Spider-Verse while delivering a standalone noir thriller that feels fresh and adult-oriented.
As Spring 2026 approaches, anticipation builds for what could be one of the most distinctive superhero series yet. With Cage’s magnetic presence, a stellar ensemble, innovative viewing options, and a story that blends pulp detective fiction with superhero mythology, Spider-Noir invites viewers to step into the shadows of 1930s New York. Whether watched in haunting monochrome or vivid color, this is a web-slinger unlike any other—older, wiser, and ready to face the darkness one last time.
