During its annual presentation, Prime Video, in partnership with MGM+, announced the upcoming live-action series “Spider-Noir,” scheduled for 2026. The project, spearheaded by Nicolas Cage, is set to offer a stark contrast to the vibrant excitement of the animated Spider-Verse. A first image and teaser have been released, suggesting a notably dark work characterized by a vintage aesthetic and emotional depth not typically associated with this genre, evoking comparisons to Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City.”
In 2018, “Into the Spider-Verse” disrupted traditional superhero animation conventions. Its sequel, “Across the Spider-Verse,” reaffirmed the artistic boldness of a universe merging graphic ambition with narrative complexity. Meanwhile, “Beyond the Spider-Verse,” the third and final part, has been delayed until 2027. Sony and Amazon intend to maintain their position with “Spider-Noir,” an unabashed spinoff that formally reinvents the series. In this standalone installment, there is no shared universe or teenagers grappling with identity; instead, it features an aging man burdened by his failures and acts as the lone vigilante in 1930s New York, a city immersed in corruption and perpetual darkness. Departing from Marvel’s usual conventions, the series opts for minimalism, silence, and sustained tension.
Nicolas Cage takes on the role of Spider-Noir in this live-action series, a character he previously voiced in animated films, now given physical form. His portrayal of Spider-Noir is that of a solitary and almost anachronistic investigator, deeply immersed in a crisis-ridden America. With a silhouette reminiscent of Philip Marlowe and Rorschach, the character moves through damp alleyways as if wandering through memories. The teaser, though brief, reveals smoky streets, a hostile city, and a weary man. Produced by Oren Uziel (The Lost City, 22 Jump Street) and Steve Lightfoot (The Punisher, Shantaram), with its first two episodes directed by Harry Bradbeer (Fleabag, Killing Eve), the series leans towards dramatic crime rather than frenetic action. Notably, episodes will be offered in both color and black and white, explicitly playing with genre conventions while fully embracing the legacy of Hollywood film noir. The cast includes Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, and Brendan Gleeson, complementing Cage’s performance to promise depth and complexity. Cage himself appears committed to an intimate reinterpretation of the superhero figure. This Spider-Noir does not save the world; he merely tries to stay standing in a world falling apart.
Towards a Connection to the Spider-Verse? Producers Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal, already involved with Tom Holland’s films and animated movies, are also behind this project. Their involvement prompts a significant question: Is “Spider-Noir” an isolated endeavor or part of a larger framework? Despite no official announcements on this matter, implicit connections may exist. Narrative bridges? Dimensional crossings? The Spider-Verse universe might extend beyond animation. This question is worth considering, and in the meantime, “Spider-Noir” appears to be a standalone work that weaves a more human, darker, and perhaps fairer narrative web.
Prime Video and MGM+ are set to debut “Spider-Noir” in 2026, a live-action series starring Nicolas Cage. Unlike the vibrant animation of the Spider-Verse, this darker, grittier adaptation centers on an older, isolated vigilante navigating corruption-ridden New York City in the 1930s. Cage brings his voice role to life physically, while the show explores dramatic crime narratives distinct from typical superhero action. Featuring both color and black-and-white episodes to mirror film noir styles, the series promises a deeper, more complex portrayal with its cast including Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, and Brendan Gleeson. Although produced separately from the animated Spider-Verse series, involvement of producers Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal has sparked speculation about potential links between “Spider-Noir” and the animated universe.
