Why Prime Video's Spider-Noir Series Features Ben Reilly Instead of Peter Parker

Prime Video is gearing up to release a highly anticipated live-action series called Spider-Noir, starring Nicolas Cage in the lead role. This show draws inspiration from the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man Noir, first introduced in a 2009 miniseries, but with a notable twist: it will not feature Peter Parker as the web-slinging hero. Instead, Cage portrays Ben Reilly, a character known in the comics as a clone of Peter Parker and often associated with the Scarlet Spider identity.

What is Spider-Noir?

Set in the gritty underbelly of 1930s New York, Spider-Noir follows Ben Reilly as a down-on-his-luck private investigator who must confront his past as the city's only superhero. This era evokes classic film noir aesthetics, complete with fedoras, trench coats, and shadowy intrigue. Cage, who previously voiced a Peter Parker variant of Spider-Noir in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, brings his unique flair to this live-action adaptation. However, the decision to pivot from Peter Parker to Ben Reilly stems from a deliberate creative choice that enhances the storytelling.

Why Ben Reilly?

According to the show's executive producers, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Ben Reilly allows for a more jaded and older protagonist, which aligns perfectly with the noir genre's themes of cynicism and moral ambiguity. Peter Parker is traditionally depicted as a youthful, optimistic high school student or young adult, which might not fit the profile of a battle-worn detective in Depression-era America. By using Ben Reilly, the series can explore deeper layers of identity, regret, and reinvention without being constrained by Parker's canonical backstory.

The series also introduces reimagined versions of classic Spider-Man characters to fit the 1930s setting. For instance, it features Robbie Robertson, the Black Cat, and villains like Flint Marko (Sandman) and Silvermaine. These elements promise a fresh take on familiar lore, blending superhero action with period drama. Co-showrunners Steve Lightfoot and Oren Uziel aim to deliver a narrative that stands apart from other Spider-Man projects, emphasizing psychological depth over typical web-swinging spectacles.

Spider-Noir is slated to premiere on MGM+ in the U.S. and globally on Prime Video in spring 2026. Interestingly, the show will offer episodes in both color and black-and-white formats, paying homage to classic noir films. This innovative approach, combined with Cage's unconventional performance, positions Spider-Noir as a bold addition to the expanding Spider-Man multiverse.

By choosing Ben Reilly over Peter Parker, the creators have opened the door to unexplored territories in Spider-Man's rich mythology. Fans can look forward to a series that not only honors its comic roots but also reinvents them for a new audience.