Nicolas Cage to Star as Spider-Man Noir in Gritty New Series

The first trailer for the dark, 1930s-set spin-off promises a raw, brooding take on the classic superhero.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:04am

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An abstract, minimalist composition of jagged, geometric shapes in high-contrast black and red, conceptually representing the gritty, shadowy tone of the 'Spider-Noir' series.The dark, neo-noir world of 'Spider-Noir' promises a stark departure from the quippy, colorful Spider-Man of the past.NYC Today

Get ready to see Spider-Man like never before—this time, he's trading quips for trench coats and swinging into a world of shadows. Nicolas Cage is stepping into the role of a lifetime as Ben Reilly, a.k.a. The Spider, in Spider-Noir, a dark, gritty spin-off that's less about saving the day with one-liners and more about surviving the night in a noir-soaked 1930s New York.

Why it matters

Inspired by the acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this series leans hard into the noir genre, painting a picture of a lone detective dragged back into the mask by a case he can't ignore. The creative team promises to balance honoring the Spider-Man legacy with carving out a bold new identity, but the darker, more introspective take risks alienating some fans.

The details

Directed by Harry Bradbeer and steered by showrunners Steve Lightfoot and Oren Uziel, the project boasts a stellar cast, including Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson. The series isn't just a stylistic experiment; it's a deep dive into classic noir tropes, with foggy streets, shadowy motives, and a protagonist torn between his past and his purpose.

  • Spider-Noir swings onto MGM+ on May 25, 2026, and Prime Video on May 27.

The players

Nicolas Cage

An acclaimed actor who is stepping into the role of Ben Reilly, a.k.a. The Spider, in the dark, gritty Spider-Noir spin-off series.

Harry Bradbeer

The director of the Spider-Noir series, known for his work on shows like Fleabag and Killing Eve.

Steve Lightfoot

One of the showrunners for the Spider-Noir series, with previous credits including The Punisher and Hannibal.

Oren Uziel

The other showrunner for the Spider-Noir series, who has written for films like 22 Jump Street and The Cloverfield Paradox.

Phil Lord

One of the creative producers on the Spider-Noir series, known for his work on the acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

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What’s next

Fans can look forward to the premiere of Spider-Noir on MGM+ on May 25, 2026, and its subsequent release on Prime Video on May 27.

The takeaway

Spider-Noir promises to be a bold reinvention of the Spider-Man franchise, trading the classic hero's quippy charm for a raw, brooding take on the character. While the darker, more introspective approach risks alienating some fans, the creative team's pedigree and the series' deep dive into noir tropes suggest it could breathe new life into the beloved superhero.