Amazon is currently planning a live-action series that deals with a darker version of Spider-Man. More specifically, with Spider-Man Noir. Nicolas Cage has a particular interest in playing the role. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Which superhero is it about? If you are a fan of Marvel Comics, especially Spider-Man, or have seen the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse from 2018, you might already know Spider-Man Noir.
This is an alternative version of Peter Parker. His stories take place in the 1930s, during the time of the Great Depression in the USA.
The tone is both visually and thematically significantly darker than in contemporary stories. Spider-Man Noir navigates a rough world.
Peter Parker, who works as a private detective in this version, often resorts to harder methods as Noir – and must deal with the moral consequences of his actions.
The character is relatively new compared to the original Spider-Man. While Stan Lee’s creation has been fighting crime since 1962, Noir only saw the light of day in 2009.
Nicolas Cage wants to play the role – once again
What does Nicolas Cage have to do with all of this? The Hollywood star Nicolas Cage has already come into contact with Spider-Man Noir. He lent his voice to him in the aforementioned animated film Into the Spiderverse. The actor also appears in games from time to time.
Currently, Amazon is planning a live-action series about Spider-Man Noir. It is not yet clear who will play the lead role.
However, Nicolas Cage is considered a hot candidate for the role. Not only because he has voiced it before, but also because he has publicly acknowledged himself as a big fan of the dark Spider-Man.
In a conversation with Collider, Cage spoke about his passion for the character. “It’s no secret that I love the character,” he said.
After working on Into the Spiderverse, Cage has great interest in playing Noir on camera as well. Additionally, the setting and the dark character of the lead offer the opportunity to pay tribute to some other heroes of Nicolas Cage.
I can combine my favorite actors from the Golden Age (of Hollywood), like Robinson, Cagney, Bogart, with a character that I think is widely regarded as Stan Lee’s masterpiece.
Nicolas Cage via Collider
However, Cage also emphasizes that nothing is set in stone yet. He has only had discussions with Amazon so far.
What do we know about the series so far? While Nicolas Cage in the lead role is still unconfirmed, at least the showrunner of the series is already set.
Steve Lightfoot, known for his work on The Punisher, Narcos, or Hannibal, will take the lead in the new series. It is also being developed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, who are behind movies like The Lego Movie or the aforementioned Into the Spiderverse.
The project is still in pre-production. But perhaps Amazon will soon reveal who will jump through 1930s New York as the black-and-white Spider-Man. Nicolas Cage could have also had a role in The Lord of the Rings – but he declined it.
