The cinematic triumph of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse convoked a diverse assembly of multiversal wall-crawlers, introducing audiences to Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, and the melancholic, monochromatic Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage). While fans eagerly anticipate the animated saga’s resolution in Beyond the Spider-Verse, Cage is transitioning into live-action for a dedicated spin-off titled Spider-Noir, scheduled to debut on Prime Video this May 27.
The latest trailer provides a startling revelation: this gritty iteration of the character is a variant of Ben Reilly. This marks a departure from the source material, which originally envisioned a cynical 1930s Peter Parker. Given the character’s convoluted comic book lineage, navigating the history of this Great Depression-era vigilante can be daunting. To clarify, here is an exploration of the pulp-inspired world being crafted by showrunners Oren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot.
Image: Marvel Comics
Tracing the Origins of Spider-Man Noir
Launched between 2009 and 2010, the Marvel Noir imprint reimagined iconic heroes like Wolverine and Iron Man through the lens of hardboiled detective fiction. The Spider-Man Noir title placed Peter Parker in a grim, 1933 New York City suffocating under the weight of the Depression.
In this reality, the city is a playground for the ruthless mobster Norman Osborn, known as “The Goblin.” He exerts control via a web of corrupt officials and a terrifying troupe of enforcers—reimagined versions of classic villains like the Vulture, Kraven, and the Chameleon, all depicted as former carnival freaks.
The murder of Uncle Ben at the hands of Osborn’s thugs catalyzes Peter’s transformation into a vigilante. While assisting Aunt May at her homeless shelter, he finds employment as a photojournalist for The Daily Bugle. Interestingly, this universe’s J. Jonah Jameson is a staunch defender of civil liberties, a far cry from his usual tabloid persona.
Image: Prime Video
Following a lead intended for his mentor, Ben Urich (famously seen in the Netflix Daredevil series), Peter intercepts a shipment of stolen antiquities. A mystic spider from the cargo bites him, granting him supernatural abilities. Assisted by Felicia Hardy—proprietor of The Black Cat speakeasy—he begins his crusade against the criminal underworld.
The live-action adaptation preserves several of these hallmarks while introducing fresh elements. The show features Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li) as a classic femme fatale lounge singer and pits the hero against the aging mob boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson). Cage’s Noir also collaborates with Robbie Robertson (Lamorne Morris), reimagined as a tenacious freelance journalist. However, the most significant pivot is the identity shift from Peter Parker to Ben Reilly, a character who first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #149 (1975).
Image: Prime Video
Understanding Ben Reilly’s Legacy
In Marvel lore, Ben Reilly is the clone of Peter Parker, engineered by the obsessed Miles Warren (The Jackal). After surviving an apparent demise, the clone adopted the name “Ben Reilly”—honoring Uncle Ben and Aunt May’s maiden name—and forged his own identity as the Scarlet Spider. He eventually stepped into the role of Spider-Man when Peter briefly retired.
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While Spider-Noir is unlikely to follow the “Clone Saga” strictly, the trailer hints that Ben’s powers stem from clandestine military or scientific experimentation. Imagery of medical facilities and Ben in uniform suggest a backstory rooted in the trauma of World War I. Noir fiction frequently centers on veterans grappling with the haunting transition to civilian life, and this series appears to embrace that thematic weight.
In an interview with Esquire, showrunner Oren Uziel explained that Ben Reilly was chosen specifically because Peter Parker often embodies youthful optimism. Uziel sought a protagonist who was world-weary and burdened by his history. Consequently, Ben is a private investigator rather than a photographer. As producer Phil Lord aptly put it, Cage is portraying the character as “a spider trying to cosplay as a human”—a premise that promises a uniquely captivating take on the legend.
Source: Polygon
