Spider-Man Will Get a New Superhero Name For 2026 Spider-Noir Series

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When the Spider-Noir series starring Nicolas Cage comes out, he won’t be known as Spider-Man. Instead, he’ll be playing the character under a different name. This will be the first time Nicolas Cage portrays Ben Reilly in live-action, and the series is scheduled to premiere on MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video in late 2026. The character, popular in the animated film Into the Spider-Verse, will take audiences to a 1930s version of New York City.

Esquire magazine recently offered a sneak peek at the new Spider-Noir series, revealing that Nicolas Cage’s character won’t be known as Spider-Man. Instead, he’ll simply be called The Spider.

Ben Reilly, who went by the name The Spider, chose it as a nod to classic noir films and heroes. The creators specifically drew inspiration from characters like those in The Shadow and The Spirit. The team behind Spider-Noir also made a similar choice to honor the tradition of noir storytelling.

Nicolas Cage recently discussed his approach to playing Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir with Esquire magazine. He talked about the films, actors, and characters that influenced his performance, frequently referencing classic noir influences. He particularly drew a connection between his character and the iconic figure of The Shadow.

He lowered his voice and dramatically said, ‘Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men… The Shadow knows!’ I always enjoyed hearing that line.

The actor fondly recalled the radio drama series Radio Mystery Theater, saying he always “loved” it. He likened the experience to “reading a book,” explaining that the shows encouraged listeners to use their own imaginations.

I really enjoyed ‘Radio Mystery Theater,’ especially with E.G. Marshall narrating. Even though I owned a TV, I’d listen to those radio shows because they let you use your imagination – it was similar to reading a book.

According to statements from the creators and details about the show, Spider-Noir aims to be a classic, authentic noir story. While it features a superhero and a different version of Spider-Man – Ben Reilly – this take on the character promises to be unlike any previous iteration fans are familiar with.

Fans will know him as The Spider, and they’ll have the option to watch the entire project in black and white – a color version will also be available. Plus, Ben’s Spider-Man costume is completely new, having only appeared on screen in the Spider-Verse movie. There’s even talk that Cage might reprise his role in the upcoming Beyond the Spider-Verse.

When Will Spider-Noir Be Released?

It’s still unknown when Spider-Noir will officially come out. Amazon MGM Studios has only said it’s planned for release sometime in 2026.

I’ve been hearing whispers about Spider-Noir potentially hitting screens in early 2026, and that’s still a possibility. However, if we were looking at a release in February or March, I’d expect a firm date to be announced by now. The lack of one makes me think it’s more likely a later release.

Nicolas Cage mentioned he’d already seen all eight episodes of the series. It’s not certain if he watched the final, polished versions or early, unfinished cuts, but it suggests the show is either completed or very close to being ready for release.

Esquire’s Anthony Breznican, who spoke with Nicolas Cage, also shared that he’s seen the first two episodes of the series. This suggests that post-production is finished on at least those initial episodes.

If this is true, we might see Spider-Noir released relatively soon. It’s also worth noting that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release in July 2026, and the studio may plan to release Spider-Noir around the same time. This could help both projects attract a wider audience by capitalizing on shared viewership.

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2026-02-10 21:36