The world of superheroes is about to get a gritty, noir-infused makeover, and it’s Nicolas Cage who’s leading the charge. On February 12, 2026, MGM+ and Prime Video unveiled the first trailers for Spider-Noir, a live-action series that promises to show Spider-Man as fans have never seen him before. The series, set to premiere first on MGM+’s linear broadcast channel on May 25 and then globally as a binge release on Prime Video on May 27, offers a fresh take on the Marvel icon through the lens of 1930s New York—and in two distinct visual styles: authentic black-and-white and true-hue full color. According to Deadline, both versions will be released simultaneously for each episode, giving viewers a choice between classic noir and contemporary vibrancy.
At the heart of Spider-Noir is Ben Reilly, a seasoned, down-on-his-luck private investigator working the rain-soaked streets of Depression-era New York. But Reilly is no ordinary gumshoe; he’s also the city’s one and only superhero, known simply as “The Spider.” Nicolas Cage, known for his eclectic filmography and memorable performances, steps into the role—his first leading part in a television series. It’s a casting choice that generated skepticism and buzz in equal measure, as The Direct noted, but Cage’s unique energy appears to have found a perfect match in this moody, pulp-inspired adaptation.
Spider-Noir draws inspiration from the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, itself a product of hardboiled detective tales and Golden Age comics. The character, originally created by David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky, Carmine Di Giandomenico, and Marko Djurdjević, was first brought to animated life by Cage in the Oscar-winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. However, this new series is not a continuation of the animated movie, but rather its own universe, as Variety explained. The series leans heavily into the noir genre, complete with a trench coat-wearing web-slinger, smoky nightclubs, and a city teetering on the edge of darkness.
In the trailers, Cage’s Ben Reilly is portrayed as older and more jaded than previous Spider-Men. He’s a World War I veteran, haunted by the loss of someone close to him and grappling with the burden of his powers, which he acquired from a bite by a peacock spider. “You already know how it ends,” Cage’s Reilly says in the trailer to Li Jun Li’s Cat Hardy, a new take on the Black Cat character. She responds, “So start at the beginning.” This exchange, highlighted in Esquire, sets the tone for a series that’s as much about personal reckoning as it is about superheroics.
The show’s visual presentation is a major talking point. As Esquire reports, Nicolas Cage himself has praised the dual-format approach: “The truth is, they both work and they’re beautiful for different reasons. The color is super saturated and gorgeous. I think teenage viewers will appreciate the color, but I also want them to have the option. If they want to experience the concept in black and white, maybe that would instill some interest in them to look at earlier movies and enjoy that as an art form as well.” It’s a rare move in modern television, one that pays homage to the roots of noir cinema while inviting a new generation to appreciate its artistry.
The ensemble cast brings together a range of talent. Alongside Cage, Lamorne Morris plays Robbie Robertson, Li Jun Li is Cat Hardy, and Karen Rodriguez takes on the role of Janet. The supporting cast features Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson, with guest appearances from Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, Cary Christopher, Michael Kostroff, Scott MacArthur, Joe Massingill, Whitney Rice, Amanda Schull, Andrew Caldwell, Amy Aquino, Andrew Robinson, and Kai Caster. It’s a lineup that promises a rich tapestry of characters, from hard-bitten detectives to mysterious super-powered adversaries.
Behind the camera, the series boasts an impressive creative team. Emmy-winning director Harry Bradbeer, known for his work on Fleabag and Killing Eve, directed and executive produced the first two episodes. Co-showrunners Oren Uziel (The Lost City, 22 Jump Street) and Steve Lightfoot (Marvel’s The Punisher, Shantaram) developed the series in collaboration with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal—the Oscar-winning team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. According to The Hollywood Reporter, all three serve as executive producers, alongside Dan Shear, Aditya Sood, Pavlina Hatoupis, and Cage himself.
For fans, the arrival of Spider-Noir is more than just another superhero show. As The Direct points out, it marks the first live-action Spider-Man series produced by Hollywood, a milestone for a character who has long been confined to the big screen or animation. The show’s strict adherence to noir style, from its visual palette to its hard-edged storytelling, sets it apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s more colorful and optimistic tone. Chris Miller, one of the producers, told Esquire that Cage’s Ben Reilly is “older and jaded, and not afraid to punch a guy in the face drunkenly.” Phil Lord added, “He already had his Chinatown disillusionment moment that happened years and years ago.”
The trailers tease a darker, more troubled Spider-Man than audiences are used to. Cage’s Reilly is seen swinging through the city, leaping from cars, brawling in bars, and, as he puts it with weary humor, “I beat up some guys in a bar, and then I got plaaaast-ered.” The city itself is a grim character, filled with evil doctors, shadowy nightclubs, and hints of other super-powered figures—perhaps even a glimpse of Electro. It’s a world far removed from the friendly neighborhood Spidey played by Tom Holland in the MCU.
Production on Spider-Noir is handled by Sony Pictures Television, exclusively for MGM+ and Prime Video. The project’s development was closely tied to the creative minds behind Into the Spider-Verse, ensuring a level of continuity in tone and vision, even as the series forges its own path. The decision to release all episodes at once, as a binge drop, reflects Prime Video’s commitment to giving fans immediate access to the full story.
The anticipation surrounding Spider-Noir is palpable, with fans and critics alike eager to see Cage’s performance and the series’ bold stylistic choices. Whether viewers opt for black-and-white or color, they’re in for a version of Spider-Man that’s as much about existential struggle as it is about web-slinging action. As the tagline in the trailer puts it: “With No Power Comes No Responsibility.” It’s a fitting motto for a hero who’s seen too much, lost too much, and still finds a way to fight for his city—even if it means getting a little plastered along the way.
With its blend of classic noir atmosphere, a star-studded cast, and a creative team steeped in both superhero and cinematic pedigree, Spider-Noir looks set to swing into the hearts of fans and newcomers alike this spring.