What is ‘Spider-Noir’ and how does it differ from traditional Spider-Man stories?

A new television series titled Spider-Noir will star Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a private investigator operating in 1930s New York City during Prohibition and the rise of Nazism. The show is produced by Sony in association with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

The series draws inspiration from the Spider-Man Noir comics but presents a new interpretation of the character.

Why is the character called Ben Reilly?

Although Cage previously voiced a version of Spider-Man Noir, the television series introduces a new iteration technically called "the Spider." The character's civilian identity is Ben Reilly — a name historically associated in Marvel comics with Peter Parker's clone, says Comicbook.com.

Showrunner Oren Uziel said the decision was intentional. "Peter Parker feels very synonymous with a high school kid... Boyish. On his way up," Uziel said, explaining the desire to distance the character from familiar coming-of-age associations.

Producer Miller said the series instead focuses on a protagonist who has already endured formative setbacks. "He already had his Chinatown disillusionment moment that happened years and years ago," Miller said, describing the character as older and hardened by past events.

The use of Ben Reilly may also offer creative flexibility. According to references to Sony's original contract with Marvel, versions of Spider-Man were not permitted to "abuse alcohol." By presenting a different identity, the show may operate outside some of the character guidelines traditionally applied to Peter Parker.

What tone does the series adopt?

Set in 1930s New York, the show embraces a noir aesthetic reflecting economic instability, organized crime and political upheaval. The protagonist is described as "down on his luck," engaging in bar-room brawls and struggling with alcohol.

The series leans into darker themes common to the noir genre. In the trailer, the character—referred to as "the Spider"—addresses the violent instincts he gained from his spider-bite, saying he attempts to "suppress" them. The portrayal aligns with the comic inspiration, in which the noir version of the character is pushed to extremes and operates closer to the moral margins than traditional depictions.

How does this version's powers differ?

While the character retains superhuman abilities, this iteration is not expected to possess the scientific expertise typically associated with Peter Parker. Instead of designing mechanical web-shooters, he is likely to rely on organic webbing.

Unlike the comic version, who worked as an investigative reporter, this character operates as a private investigator, using his abilities to support his detective work.

What role do trauma and relationships play?

The series emphasizes isolation and psychological strain. The Spider is portrayed as haunted by past trauma, potentially visualized through nightmares that echo pivotal moments from Spider-Man lore, including the "Death of Gwen Stacy."

His primary social connection appears to be Cat Hardy, played by Li Jun Li. The character is described as a variation on Black Cat, though her influence on the protagonist's moral direction remains unclear.

How does this fit into Marvel canon?

In traditional Marvel continuity, Ben Reilly is associated with the alias "Scarlet Spider." In this series, however, the name is used to provide what producers have described as a "fresh and new" take on the noir wall-crawler.

By reworking established identities and situating the story within a 1930s crime setting, Spider-Noir distinguishes itself from other live-action Spider-Man adaptations while retaining core elements of the character's powers and internal conflict.